Group Vs. Individual Therapy — Find The One That’s Right For You

When seeking treatment for an addiction, it’s important to find the right kind of program that suits each person. Not everyone will respond the same way to all kinds of therapies, and each person will have their preferences. The most common decision that someone has to make when going through recovery is deciding between an individual therapy or a group therapy program. Each therapy offers its own benefits, and it will be up to each person to decide where they want to begin their newfound sobriety.

Taking the First Step

Before deciding where they should go for treatment, be sure to reward the person for even asking themselves these difficult questions. Addressing an addiction takes a lot of willpower — it’s a constant war between what their body is telling them they need and what their mind is fighting against. Because of this, seeking any kind of treatment is a huge step in the right direction.

In the event that the person changes their mind after going to individual or group therapy and decides that maybe the other option is better, do not hesitate to make that known. There is nothing wrong with seeking the type of therapy that someone thinks is best for them. There are always options available, so they can make changes until they find the right formula that works for them.

The Benefits of Individual Therapy

Individual therapy is a one-on-one setting with a professional to discuss the specific trials of the patient, including their successes, their progress (or lack thereof), and their ultimate goals from treatment. This style of therapy is preferred by those who greatly value their own privacy. While opening up to people about their addiction is important, people may seek individual therapy if they are very selective about how much each person knows about their recovery. The sense of privacy provided by individual therapy can lead to building newfound trust. It also allows the person to explore how they address their own issues and vocalize their struggles and goals.

Individual therapy allows the pace of recovery to be set by the person themselves and can speed up or slow down depending on their individual needs and progress. This agency over pace-setting ensures that everything is constantly focused on the individual person and fits within their schedule. For some, schedules can be very busy each and every day. Individual therapy allows for more options throughout the week to meet with a professional about the issues that are plaguing them, encouraging more people to regularly attend their sessions.

The Benefits of Group Therapy

Group therapy involves other people who are there for each step of the recovery process. The group atmosphere is built with people who understand and have lived through their own troubles — which are often similar in nature — and are exploring their own avenues to success. Because of this, group therapy often builds a tightly-knit community of people who can support one another. The sense of community that comes with group therapy can be very influential, encouraging people to open up more readily and begin practicing their social skills in a safe environment.

Having people around who understand the unique difficulties of recovery also means that there is always a plethora of ideas to try, simply by modeling other people who have been successful in different areas of their recovery. We are often more inclined to try something after we see it work with our own eyes. This can lead to future successes, or simply broadening someone’s horizons through the process.

Group therapy also teaches individuals not only how to receive support, but how to give it as well. This is a necessary skill for building relationships both old and new throughout recovery. This process builds support by receiving encouragement through difficult times, along with the trust that comes by being the one providing it to someone else. Sharing in success and seeing success in motion is a highly-motivational tool in and of itself. Group therapy also provides a safety net when things get difficult.

Stay Committed

Both individual and group therapies have their benefits and drawbacks. Even when someone decides which type may work better for their own experiences and goals, no two recovery stories will be exactly the same. Things will adjust, and some aspects will be focused on more than others. The crucial part is that when someone finds a therapy that works for them, they continue on that path.

There are therapy options available for everyone. Headlight employs a comprehensive, evidence-based system for each of our patients suffering from anxiety, depression, addiction, and any other co-occurring disorders. By using a mental health examination as well as a physical to establish a biological component, Headlight addresses the specific needs of each patient on an individual level. If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health disorders or addiction, Headlight’s caring staff is here for you. Call us today at 800-930-0803 to learn more about our programs or set up an intake appointment.