May 2025

Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy that involves one or more therapists working with several people at the same time. This type of therapy is widely available at a variety of locations including private therapeutic practices, hospitals, mental health clinics, and community centers. Group therapy is sometimes used alone, but it is also commonly integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes individual therapy. The Best Online Group Therapy, Tried and Tested Types of Group Therapy Group therapy can be categorized into different types depending on the mental health condition it is intended to treat as well as the clinical method used during the therapy. The most common types of group therapy include: Cognitive behavioral groups, which center on identifying and changing inaccurate or distorted thinking patterns, emotional responses, and behaviors Interpersonal groups, which focus on interpersonal relationships and social interactions, including how much support you have from others and the impact these relationships have on mental health Psychoeducational groups, which focus on educating clients about their disorders and ways of coping; often based on the principles of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) Skills development groups, which focus on improving social skills in people with mental disorders or developmental disabilities Support groups, which provide a wide range of benefits for people with a variety of mental health conditions as well as their loved ones Groups can be as small as three or four, but group therapy sessions often involve around eight to 12 people (although it is possible to have more participants). The group typically meets once or twice each week, or more, for an hour or two.1 Group therapy meetings may either be open or closed. New participants are welcome to join open sessions at any time. Only a core group of members are invited to participate in closed sessions. Online Therapy Reviews Group Therapy Techniques What does a typical group therapy session look like? In many cases, the group will meet in a room where the chairs are arranged in a large circle so that members can see every other person in the group. A session might begin with members of the group introducing themselves and sharing why they are in group therapy. Members might also share their experiences and progress since the last meeting. The precise manner in which the session is conducted, and any group therapy activities, depend largely on the goals of the group and the therapist’s style. Some therapists might encourage a more free-form style of dialogue, where each member participates as they see fit. Other therapists have a specific plan for each session that might include having participants practice new skills with other members of the group. Group Therapy Activities Common group therapy activities can include: Icebreaker activities that help group members get to know one another Gratitude activities, such as mapping different aspects of their life that they are thankful for Sharing activities, where group members ask one another questions Expressive writing activities to explore experiences and emotions connected to those events Goal visualization activities to help people set goals and make a plan to accomplish them What Group Therapy Can Help With Group therapy is used to treat a wide variety of conditions, including: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Depression2 Eating disorders Generalized anxiety disorder Panic disorder Phobias Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)3 Substance use disorder4 In addition to mental health conditions, CBT-based group therapy has been found to help people cope with: Anger management Chronic pain Chronic illness Chronic stress5 Divorce Domestic violence Grief and loss Weight management We Tried 100+ Therapy Services and Apps—And These Are the 7 Best for Online CBT After analyzing self-reports from people who have been involved in the process, Irvin D. Yalom outlines the key therapeutic principles of group therapy in “The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy.”6 Altruism: Group members can share their strengths and help others in the group, which can boost self-esteem and confidence. Catharsis: Sharing feelings and experiences with a group of people can help relieve pain, guilt, or stress. The corrective recapitulation of the primary family group: The therapy group is much like a family in some ways. Within the group, each member can explore how childhood experiences contributed to personality and behaviors. They can also learn to avoid behaviors that are destructive or unhelpful in real life. Development of socialization techniques: The group setting is a great place to practice new behaviors. The setting is safe and supportive, allowing group members to experiment without the fear of failure. Existential factors: While working within a group offers support and guidance, group therapy helps members realize that they are responsible for their own lives, actions, and choices. Group cohesiveness: Because the group is united in a common goal, members gain a sense of belonging and acceptance. Imparting information: Group members can help each other by sharing information. Imitative behavior: Individuals can model the behavior of other members of the group or observe and imitate the behavior of the therapist. Instills hope: The group contains members at different stages of the treatment process. Seeing people who are coping or recovering gives hope to those at the beginning of the process. Interpersonal learning: By interacting with other people and receiving feedback from the group and the therapist, members of the group can gain a greater understanding of themselves. Universality: Being part of a group of people who have the same experiences helps people see that what they are going through is universal and that they are not alone. Benefits of Group Therapy There are several advantages of group therapy. Support, Safety and Encouragement Group therapy allows people to receive the support and encouragement of the other members of the group. People participating in the group can see that others are going through the same thing, which can help them feel less alone. The setting allows people to practice behaviors and actions within the safety and security of the group. Role Modeling Group members can serve as role models for other members of the group. By observing someone successfully coping with a