When you’re considering therapy, it’s important to understand the options available, including group therapy and individual therapy. Both types can be powerful tools to help you manage your emotions, improve your mental health, and work through challenges. 

Each offers unique benefits and supports you in different ways, depending on your personal needs and preferences.

What Is Group Therapy?

Group therapy is a type of therapy where one or two therapists work with a group of roughly five to 15 people at the same time. Instead of focusing on just one person, the therapist helps the entire group. In this setting, everyone works together to improve their symptoms and become more self-aware. 

Research has shown that group therapy can be just as effective as individual therapy, and it can also be more affordable. It’s a good option for people who may not have access to individual therapy.

The Different Types of Group Therapy

There are several types of group therapy, each with a different focus and approach. Let’s look at a few of them:

Interpersonal Group Therapy

This type of therapy focuses on relationships. It helps you understand how past experiences shape your current relationships and behavior. The therapist works to create a supportive group where members can explore and learn from each other’s experiences.

Psychodynamic Group Therapy

This type is about understanding your unconscious thoughts and feelings. It can help you gain insights into why you act or think in certain ways. The therapist doesn’t guide the group directly but helps everyone work through their inner conflicts. The group dynamics and shared frustrations help reveal these hidden issues.

Social Systems Group Therapy

Here, the focus is on the roles you play in different systems, like your family or the group therapy setting. This approach helps you explore how you interact with others and how groups naturally divide into smaller subgroups. The therapist manages these boundaries to help everyone learn from the group dynamics.

Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy (CBT)

In CBT, you work with others to understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions. The group is highly structured, with a set number of sessions and a lot of teaching. You’ll learn how to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through collaboration and practice.

Psychodrama

This form of therapy uses dramatic role-playing to explore emotions and experiences. One person, the protagonist, acts out their feelings or memories while others in the group play different roles. This can help the protagonist understand their issues from new perspectives, and everyone in the group learns from acting out these roles.

Redecision Therapy

This type of therapy combines two approaches—Gestalt therapy and Transactional Analysis. It focuses on revisiting past experiences, especially from childhood, to help you make new decisions about your life. The therapist helps guide you through emotional memories to break old patterns and grow.

Existential Group Therapy

This approach addresses deep concerns like loneliness, guilt, and meaning in life. It encourages you to be open and authentic with yourself and others. The goal is to confront these feelings head-on, helping you live more fully and authentically.

What Is Individual Therapy? 

Individual therapy is when you work one-on-one with a therapist to address personal issues, emotions, and goals. It’s a private space where you can talk openly about what’s on your mind without the influence of others. The therapist listens, offers support, and helps you understand your thoughts and feelings better. Together, you’ll explore solutions to your challenges and work toward making positive changes in your life.

There are different types of individual therapy, each with its approach to helping you. Let’s look at some common ones:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is also used in one-on-one therapy sessions. In this therapy, you’ll learn how to identify negative or unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier ones. It’s all about making practical changes to how you think and act to improve your emotional well-being.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Also used in individual therapy, it’s about understanding how past experiences shape your present behavior and emotions. The goal is to make these hidden patterns more conscious so you can change them.

Humanistic Therapy

Humanistic therapy focuses on helping you realize your potential and live authentically. This approach emphasizes empathy, self-acceptance, and personal growth. It’s about understanding your true self and finding ways to make your life more meaningful and fulfilling.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a type of therapy that helps you manage strong emotions and improve relationships. It’s often used if you struggle with emotional regulation or have difficulty coping with stress. DBT combines mindfulness, acceptance, and problem-solving skills to help you handle difficult situations more effectively.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT helps you accept difficult thoughts and emotions rather than fighting against them. Instead of focusing on changing your thoughts, this therapy encourages you to be more aware of them and still move toward the things that matter most to you. It’s about finding peace and living a meaningful life despite challenges.

Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt therapy focuses on becoming more aware of your present feelings and experiences. It emphasizes understanding your emotions in the “here and now,” rather than focusing on past events. This therapy helps you connect with your feelings and improve your self-awareness, helping you respond to life more fully.

How Group Therapy and Individual Therapy Can Complement Each Other

When you combine both therapies, the benefits of each can enhance the other. For instance, you might focus on deeply personal issues in individual therapy and then gain support and new perspectives in group therapy. The group can provide encouragement and feedback, while your individual sessions can help you work through specific concerns in a more focused way.

Indeed, switching between individual and group therapy can give you a balanced approach to your healing. Individual therapy allows you to work through tough, personal matters at your own pace, while group therapy helps you learn from others and share experiences in a safe, supportive environment. Using both can speed up your progress and provide the tools you need to manage your emotions, relationships, and life challenges more effectively.

Combining individual and group therapy is about finding what works best for you. Each therapy method offers something unique, and together, they can give you a more complete approach to improving your mental health.

If you’re looking for support with your mental health, South Coast Counseling can help. Whether you prefer the personalized attention of individual therapy or the shared support of group therapy, our team is here to guide you. We offer both options to ensure you get the care that fits your needs. Contact us today, and let us help you start your journey toward healing with personalized therapy sessions.