When people think about therapy, they often picture individual sessions with a psychologist. While individual therapy is an important and widely used form of psychological treatment, therapy can also take place in a group setting.
At The Psychological Health Centre, we offer evidence-based therapeutic groups designed to support people who want to better understand themselves, develop new skills, and create meaningful change. Our groups combine psychological education, therapeutic strategies, reflection, and opportunities to learn alongside others with similar goals.
Group therapy involves a small number of people meeting regularly with one or more trained therapists to work towards shared therapeutic goals. The structure and focus of each group can vary depending on the therapeutic approach, the purpose of the group, and the needs of participants.
There are many different types of therapeutic groups. Some groups focus more on interpersonal experiences, where participants explore emotions, relationships, and patterns that emerge between group members. Others are more structured and focus on specific difficulties, therapeutic approaches, or are more like a class where participants learn and practice new skills. Many groups combine different elements, including psychoeducation, reflection, discussion, and opportunities to develop new skills and practice new ways of responding.
What Happens in a Therapeutic Group?
The content and structure of a therapeutic group depends on its purpose and the approach being used. Some groups involve more open discussion, while others follow a structured program with specific topics explored each week. Sessions are usually organised around a particular theme, skill, or area of psychological understanding. Participants may learn therapeutic concepts, reflect on how these ideas relate to their own experiences, complete exercises, and explore ways to apply new strategies in everyday life.
Although discussion is often an important part of group therapy, there is no expectation that participants share personal information they are not comfortable sharing. People participate in different ways. Some may share experiences, ask questions, or contribute regularly, while others may prefer to listen, reflect, and participate more gradually.
What Are the Benefits of Group Therapy?
Group therapy offers opportunities for learning, connection, and change that can complement individual therapy.
Recognising Shared Experiences
Many people come to therapy feeling that they are the only ones who struggle with certain difficulties, such as perfectionism, self-criticism, difficulty setting boundaries, avoiding conflict, feeling overwhelmed by emotions or experiencing difficulties with aspects of thinking. Hearing others describe similar thoughts, feelings, or experiences can reduce feelings of isolation and help people recognise that their struggles are understandable responses to their life experiences. This can create space for greater self-understanding and compassion.
Gaining Insight Through Others
One of the unique benefits of group therapy is the opportunity to learn from other people’s experiences, reflections, and perspectives. Hearing how others understand and respond to challenges can help participants see situations in new ways and recognise patterns in their own thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and relationships. Sometimes another person’s experience can highlight something familiar in our own lives, helping us better understand why we respond in certain ways and what may contribute to ongoing difficulties.
Practicing New Skills Together and Building Confidence in Relationships
Group therapy provides a supportive environment to practice new ways of responding to challenges and relating to others. Understanding a skill is different from being able to apply it in everyday life, particularly when emotions, fears, or familiar patterns get in the way. Within a group, participants can explore challenges such as setting boundaries, expressing needs, navigating conflict, or managing difficult emotions. They can receive feedback, consider different approaches, and develop confidence in communicating more effectively. These experiences can help participants recognise relationship patterns that may also occur outside the group, including in relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.
Maintaining Progress
Changing longstanding patterns takes time and practice. A group provides regular opportunities to reflect on progress, work through challenges, and continue developing skills alongside others who are also engaged in the process of change. The shared commitment of a group can help participants stay connected to their goals and continue building on the changes they are making.
How Is Group Therapy Different From Individual Therapy?
Group therapy and individual therapy are not competing approaches. They offer different opportunities and can complement each other.
Individual therapy allows the psychologist to focus entirely on one person’s experiences, history, and treatment goals. It provides space for detailed exploration of personal concerns and an individualised treatment plan. Group therapy adds the experience of working alongside others. Participants benefit not only from the therapist’s guidance but also from shared experiences, different perspectives, and opportunities to practice new ways of responding in a social environment.
For some people, group therapy works best alongside individual therapy. For others, a structured therapeutic group may provide the focus and support they are looking for.
The most suitable approach depends on a person’s goals, preferences, and circumstances.
Final Thoughts
Group therapy is a flexible form of psychological treatment that can take many different forms. It may involve exploring patterns, learning practical skills, developing emotional awareness, improving relationships, or a combination of these approaches.
The value of a therapeutic group is not simply that people are together in the same room. It is the combination of professional guidance, shared experiences, different perspectives, opportunities for reflection, and the chance to practice change in a supportive environment.
At The Psychological Health Centre, we offer a range of therapeutic groups, including:
- Understanding Your Patterns – a Schema Therapy-based group exploring patterns in thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and relationships. Click here to learn more.
- Trauma Psychoeducation and Yoga Group – combining trauma education with trauma-sensitive yoga practices. Click here to learn more.
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Group – offered as part of a comprehensive DBT program. Click here to learn more.
- Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) – supporting the development of cognitive skills such as attention, memory and organisation and problem solving.
For people who are interested in understanding themselves better, developing new skills, and working towards meaningful change, group therapy can be a valuable part of psychological treatment.
