Group Counseling: What it is and How it Works

Group counseling is often used to help those who suffer from trauma or behavior disorders because of the interaction that the therapy enables. It takes the form of a psychotherapy counseling process where several clients attend a session together that is facilitated by one or more therapists.

Group therapy is useful for those undergoing counseling as they receive support not only from their counselor but also from others in the group, and they can give support to others in turn. Often the members of the group experience similar conflicts. If other group members are further ahead than others in some aspects of the treatment, then they serve as role models to those who are earlier in the path of progress.

Common goals of group counseling

Like many other forms of counseling, group counseling aims to give clients hope and bring people together so that they can all benefit from the extra support a shared experience brings.

Clients who are feeling alone and isolated can now see that other people may experience similar challenges. The depression and worsening behaviors they may experience may be counteracted by interaction with one another, and likely boost the overall self-esteem of the group.

There are sometimes moments when clients are required to start using new behaviors as part of their treatment, and the group setting is a safe and appropriate place to begin adopting these new behaviors because it is supportive.

The group often unites around a similar goal, and this brings with it a shared feeling of belonging. By advancing interpersonal learning, where clients can not only learn but also provide feedback from and to one another, they come to a deeper understanding of their own diagnosis.

Group counseling brings higher levels of feedback

Group counseling can be recommended over individual psychotherapy for various reasons, including social reasons. Clients are often placed in the group so that by observing others dealing with similar health challenges they may be assisted as they make progress themselves.

While no one-on-one participation takes place with the counselor, the advantages of the group enable it to provide a higher level of feedback than a counselor, especially through modeling and social interaction. When a client notices that another person is improving then they can imitate the person’s coping mechanisms as they grow in their cognition and behavior.

How group counseling works

A group of individuals will gather with one or more therapists, depending on the size of the group, and participants have the chance to socialize with one another. As participants normally share health challenges the therapists may encourage them to try out a new behavior with another participant or give positive feedback on an interaction that they have witnessed as part of group work.

Receiving feedback is also a helpful way to learn from others going through similar challenges.

This will also encourage the participants to share openly what is on their hearts and minds, such as their insecurities or worries. Usefully, an individual may control how much they expose about themselves to the group. The setting will enable clients to speak only about issues that they are comfortable with.

It does not take a long time for most participants to become quite secure and comfortable with it; often just a few weeks. As their comfort increases, they will interact more. It can be difficult in groups larger than twelve clients to give every person an effective treatment experience. Small groups are found to be more effective and supportive because clients get to know one another on a more intimate level.

Often the members of the group can discuss personal issues with one another. They may respond to events they have been able to overcome since starting treatment or be confronted with issues that others bring up out of concern for them. The focus of the session is determined by the group of clients and what they would like to focus on during that session. The therapist does not dictate the topic of conversation.

Learn more

If you are looking to better understand the benefits of group counseling, then why not browse our online counselor directory or contact our office to schedule an appointment? It would be an honor for us to walk with you on this journey.