Group Therapy vs. Individual Therapy

There are a variety of forms of therapy used to help individuals in their mental health wellness journeys. Two common types of therapy include group therapy and individual therapy. Group therapy and individual therapy can be used simultaneously or on their own, each providing different benefits. Understanding the benefits of each form of therapy can help you determine which form of therapy is best for you.

The Pros and Cons of Group Therapy

Group therapy is a form of therapy where a group of individuals works together with one or more mental health professionals. The main goals of group therapy are to learn how to work through problems with other individuals. This can help set individuals up for success when working with groups in educational or job settings and prepare for conflict resolution. It can also provide an individual with a base support system of individuals that may be experiencing similar troubles as them.

Because you are working with other individuals who are going through similar recovery processes, you can help motivate each other. However, this can be detrimental if you tend to compare your success to others. Everyone has a different recovery journey and will require different techniques to lead them to success. If you consistently compare your progress with others in your group, it could lead to lowered self-esteem. Instead, using these differences in progress as a motivating factor can make them beneficial to your recovery.

Is Group Therapy More Effective?

Group therapy is often seen as slightly more beneficial to people than individualized therapy; however, there is no statistically significant difference. Both forms of therapy can provide copious benefits. The main benefit group therapy has over individualized therapy is the communication skills that come alongside working with a group.

Finding the Right Group

Finding a group that aligns with your values and contains individuals with similar problems is important. If you engage in a therapy group of individuals you struggle to relate to, it may feel like your time is going to waste. While you can learn something valuable from anyone, grouping yourself with individuals working through similar issues can help you feel more understood and encourage you to open up to the other group members.

A Deeper Look at Individual Therapy

Individual therapy occurs one-on-one with you and one mental health professional. This form of therapy is beneficial if you struggle to open up to other people. Working one-on-one with a professional provides you with time to get to know each other and establish a form of trust, increasing your ability to open up. This type of therapy can be useful to help solve personal problems and receive individualized advice.

Individual therapy is beneficial when working through specific life obstacles preventing you from achieving stability in life. Loss of a loved one, changes in careers, moving, ending of relationships, or any other major life event that may bring upon extra stress are all obstacles that can be worked through in individual therapy. Meeting with a mental health professional can help you discover aspects of your life that lead to negative feelings and incorporate practices to create a balance in your life.

Finding the Right Therapist

While in group therapy, it is imperative to find a group that you relate to and feel comfortable around, it is crucial in individual therapy to find a therapist that aligns with you and your goals. Many individuals have to try multiple therapists before finding one they engage well with. Nearly all therapists can be beneficial; however, each professional has their own way of treating individuals. Finding a therapist that works well with your learning style and relates to you personally can make a significant difference in the success of individual therapy.

Combination of Group and Individual

It is not uncommon to combine individual therapy and group therapy to help further your success. If you feel that you could benefit from each of these practices, engagement in both forms of therapy could be helpful. You can either choose to engage in a group that is run by your individual therapist or attend a group with a different professional. If you are in a group run by your personal therapist, the information within your sessions will remain private and not be discussed with group members. Working with a different professional could give you additional insight into your situation and expand your knowledge.

After reviewing the differences between group and individual therapy, we hope you can determine which therapeutic aspect is best for you and your journey to recovery. If you need further assistance in making this decision, Headlight can assist you in finding the help you desire.

Looking at the difference between individual and group therapy can help you determine which form of therapy can be of most benefit to you. Group therapy involves a group of other individuals, typically with similar problems to overcome, meeting together with a mental health professional to discuss their obstacles and review possible solutions. Individualized therapy consists of meeting one-on-one with a mental health professional, allowing time to discuss issues in a private setting. Both forms of therapy have many benefits and can help you heal from the obstacles you are dealing with. Some individuals choose to combine the practices of group and individual therapy to receive the benefits of each. Looking into these potential benefits can help you decide which therapeutic option you feel most comfortable with. To learn more about group versus individual therapy, reach out to Headlight today at 800-930-0803.