Group therapy is a powerful and widely used approach in mental health and addiction treatment, offering individuals the opportunity to heal alongside others who share similar experiences. In a safe, professionally guided setting, participants can gain perspective, practice healthy communication, and develop coping strategies while receiving encouragement and feedback from peers. This shared experience often reduces feelings of isolation and builds a strong sense of connection and accountability.
At Pathways Behavioral Health in Burlington, New Jersey, group therapy is an essential part of personalized treatment plans. By combining group-based therapy with individualized care, Pathways Behavioral Health helps clients build confidence, strengthen emotional regulation, and develop the skills needed to support long-term stability and recovery.
What Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy where a small group of individuals with similar mental health concerns meet regularly under the guidance of a licensed professional. StatPearls defines it as trained therapists working with several clients at once to tackle mental health issues and strengthen relationships. The group format offers something individual therapy doesn’t: real-time practice with peers who understand what they are going through.
Here’s what makes group therapy work:
- Therapeutic environment: Clear rules and goals create a space where it’s safe to open up.
- Professional facilitation: Trained therapists steer the conversation and keep the group balanced.
- Peer interaction: Members share their stories and learn from each other, reducing shame around mental health.
- Evidence-based approaches: Therapists use approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, adjusted for groups.
Group therapy sessions typically involve 5-15 participants meeting for 1-2 hours under trained therapists who facilitate discussions and skill-building activities. Group therapy also costs less than individual sessions, making quality care more accessible and affordable.
Types of Group Therapy
Different group formats target different goals and needs. Therapists build sessions around proven methods that ease symptoms, teach skills, or improve relationships. Which format works best depends on what you’re dealing with, where you are in recovery, and what feels comfortable.
Process groups emphasize interpersonal dynamics and emotional exploration. Members examine their relationships, communication patterns, and emotional responses as they unfold during sessions. You get to try out healthier ways of connecting with people right there in the room.
Research found that 16 sessions of group psychodynamic therapy ease attachment anxiety and help people connect better, leading to fewer relationship struggles and less depression a year later.
Skills-based groups follow a set plan that teaches concrete coping tools. Common examples include:
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Groups: These groups focus on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Groups: These groups teach mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Relapse Prevention Groups: These groups help individuals identify triggers and develop strategies to maintain sobriety.
Studies show that emotion regulation groups help people manage feelings better, easing symptoms and reducing self-harm down the road.
Support groups connect people with similar experiences for encouragement and validation. Members talk through challenges, celebrate wins, and share practical advice. Support groups cut isolation and make recovery feel normal because everyone gets it. Research shows these elements drive improvement, helping others boosts self-image, and strong bonds lead to better outcomes.
The Benefits of Group Therapy for Mental Health
Group therapy is a valuable component of treatment for conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, and substance use disorders. It offers a powerful and effective approach to mental health care by bringing individuals together in a supportive, structured setting. Led by a licensed therapist, group sessions encourage open discussion, mutual support, and skill-building that help participants improve emotional regulation, communication, and coping strategies. This collaborative environment reduces isolation, fosters a sense of belonging, builds meaningful connections, and reinforces healthy behaviors that support long-term wellness.
A group setting offers something individual therapy can’t, real interpersonal learning. Studies show that group sessions ease attachment anxiety and avoidance, meaning fewer relationship problems and less depression. As group therapy costs less than individual therapy, more people can access it.
Connecting with others going through the same thing cuts isolation, therapists call it universality. When you realize others share your fears and setbacks, shame lifts, and you open up more. Hearing peers describe similar experiences with depression, anxiety, or dual diagnoses builds connection and keeps you engaged in treatment. Research shows that when groups bond, outcomes improve, people feel accepted and understood.
Mental health issues can make you feel deeply alone. Group therapy tackles that by bringing people together in a safe, private space where it’s okay to be vulnerable. Knowing you’re not alone makes it easier to open up, especially about things that carry shame or stigma. Studies show that cutting isolation through groups leads to real improvements in functioning and symptom management.
Groups give you chances to practice social skills and get instant feedback from the therapist and other members. You watch how others handle tough emotions, ask for what they need, and work through conflicts as they’re happening. Research shows these healthier interactions ease attachment anxiety and help you connect better with people.
Group members share practical techniques and real-world applications, offering diverse perspectives on managing symptoms. Skills-based groups teach specific strategies through cognitive-behavioral and dialectical behavior therapy techniques. Members learn to identify distorted thinking patterns, challenge negative beliefs, and apply healthier responses to stress.
Group dynamics foster personal responsibility through regular attendance, honest sharing, and peer feedback. Witnessing others’ progress creates hope and demonstrates that recovery is achievable. Contributing to others’ healing creates meaning and counters feelings of worthlessness common in depression and anxiety. Research identifies helping others as a key therapeutic factor that reinforces one’s own recovery and builds self-esteem.
What Mental Health Conditions Are Treated With Group Therapy?
Group therapy can be an effective treatment for a wide range of mental health conditions. It is commonly used to support individuals managing anxiety disorders, depression, trauma-related disorders, and substance use disorders. By participating in a structured group setting, individuals gain opportunities to share experiences, practice coping skills, and receive guidance from both a licensed therapist and peers.
Anxiety disorders respond well to group treatment because the group provides exposure to social situations while reducing stigma. Members learn emotion regulation strategies together, then practice applying these skills with immediate peer feedback. Social anxiety disorder benefits particularly from group exposure, which offers safe opportunities to practice social skills.
Group therapy addresses depression through peer support, behavioral activation, and cognitive restructuring. Adults participating in group CBT experience significant reductions in depressive symptoms. The group setting helps participants break cycles of isolation and negative thinking by providing a connection with others facing similar challenges. Group cohesion directly increases hope, which becomes particularly powerful for people early in treatment.
Trauma-focused group therapy uses specialized protocols prioritizing safety, predictability, and gradual exposure to traumatic material. The group environment allows trauma survivors to share experiences without judgment while learning that their reactions are normal responses to abnormal events. Members practice healthy communication and boundary-setting with peers who understand trauma’s impact.
Group therapy serves as a cornerstone of substance use disorder treatment because peer accountability and shared recovery experiences directly support abstinence. Members hold each other accountable, celebrate milestones, and provide reality checks when relapse warning signs emerge. Research demonstrates group therapy matches individual therapy for substance use and co-occurring conditions, with some cases showing superior outcomes due to social support.
This collaborative approach helps improve emotional regulation, build social support, and reinforce healthy behaviors, making group therapy a versatile and valuable component of comprehensive mental health care.
What To Expect During Group Therapy Sessions
Group therapy sessions follow a predictable structure, creating safety and consistency. Sessions typically last 90-120 minutes with 7-10 members meeting in a confidential setting. Licensed therapists guide activities, facilitate discussions, and maintain boundaries to ensure productive therapeutic work.
Sessions begin with check-ins where members share current feelings. The middle portion focuses on structured therapeutic activities such as cognitive-behavioral exercises or interpersonal skill-building. Sessions close with reflection time for summarizing insights and identifying goals.
Group agreements establish confidentiality expectations at treatment start. Facilitators monitor group dynamics to address conflicts and ensure all members feel heard. Participation remains voluntary, allowing members to choose their sharing level based on readiness.
Group Therapy vs Individual Therapy
Research shows that group therapy and individual therapy produce similar clinical outcomes for most mental health conditions. Both approaches effectively reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use disorders, with comparable results. Choosing between formats often depends on personal preference, treatment goals, and practical considerations.
Each approach offers distinct benefits. Individual therapy allows for deep personal exploration with a therapist’s undivided attention, maximum confidentiality, and highly personalized feedback, though it typically comes at a higher cost. Group therapy emphasizes peer interaction, shared experiences, and social learning. Cost-effectiveness makes group therapy accessible to more people facing financial barriers. Group sessions typically cost 40-60% less than individual therapy while maintaining equivalent clinical results.
Combining both formats often provides the most comprehensive care, especially for complex or co-occurring conditions. At Pathways Behavioral Health, group therapy is integrated with individual counseling, medication management, and other supports to create well-rounded treatment programs that address multiple aspects of recovery.
Group Therapy FAQs
Group therapy maintains confidentiality through agreements signed by all participants at treatment start. Licensed facilitators explain privacy rules and emphasize that sharing information outside the group violates the therapeutic contract.
Group therapy typically costs 50-75% less than individual therapy sessions, making mental health treatment more accessible for people facing financial barriers.
Many providers now offer virtual group therapy sessions, maintaining the same therapeutic benefits as in-person groups. Online platforms allow participants to join from home while preserving peer interaction and professional facilitation.
Group facilitators create safe environments where participation levels can vary. Therapists emphasize that listening and observing are valid forms of participation, especially for new members adjusting to the group format.
Group therapy sessions usually run 90-120 minutes, depending on the group type and therapeutic approach.
Participants can discontinue group therapy at any time, though discussing concerns with the facilitator first may help address issues. Many challenges are resolved as group dynamics develop and members build trust.
Start Your Mental Health Journey With Pathways Behavioral Health
Taking the first step toward better mental health can be challenging, but support is available. At Pathways Behavioral Health in Burlington, NJ, adults receive individualized care within a structured, supportive environment where they can develop practical coping skills, gain encouragement, and connect with others facing similar mental health challenges. Help is available through professionally facilitated group therapy programs.
Adults in New Jersey can engage in meaningful therapy sessions while maintaining their daily routines, staying connected to family, work, and their community throughout treatment. Contact us today to learn how to take the next step toward emotional wellness and long-term recovery.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549812/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559030/
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies
https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/group-therapy
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6333536/
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