Group Counseling: Benefits, Expectations, and Differences from Individual Counseling

Going through challenges in life can be harder to do when we are doing it alone. When you have people walking alongside you, it can help you to carry the load a little better. One of the ways to handle a variety of concerns and to begin making healthy changes in your life is to attend group counseling.

What to expect with group counseling

Group counseling is a form of talk therapy in which a group meets at least weekly for several weeks or months to address a particular concern. This group, which can be as small as three or as many as fifteen people, is led by one or two mental health professionals such as counselors or psychologists. They guide the group in discussing their concerns and working toward healthy outcomes.

The members participate by sharing their experiences, listening to one another, and constructively contributing to the conversation. One can expect to be asked to share their experiences with others in the group and to participate in the conversation. The group helps to shape the dynamic, each bringing their unique contribution to benefit other members.

While some of the group members go for individual counseling in addition to groups, others only want to counsel in groups. Most groups are aimed at addressing particular concerns such as social anxiety, grief, or substance abuse, so the conversation in the group will center on that core issue. In addition to being aimed at a core issue, groups may either be open or closed to new members, which can affect the dynamic of the group.

Counseling is a useful part of the treatment plan for a wide variety of conditions, which include the following:

• Domestic violence.
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Grief and loss.
• Depression.
• Chronic pain.
• Eating disorders.
• Chronic illness.
• Generalized anxiety disorder.
• Panic disorder.
• Weight management.
• Phobias.
• Divorce.
• Chronic stress.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Substance use disorder.
• Anger management.

The unique benefits of group counseling

One of the main benefits is that it provides you with a space to address concerns such as the above. You do not have to walk alone, and it can be quite encouraging to meet other people who are struggling with the same things you are. It may seem daunting to join a group of strangers and share your most personal struggles with them, but group counseling can be an enriching experience in ways individual counseling may not be.

Counseling in groups can help to provide you with perspective on your own experiences. As you listen to others, you’ll understand how others deal with similar struggles, and you can be encouraged by the simple fact that you’re not alone. Others in the group will likely see things differently, and that can help to give you a different perspective on how to address your concerns and make lasting changes in your life.

Your group also acts as a support network and a sounding board for ideas and different approaches to addressing common issues. Not only can other members of the group help you to come up with strategies or ideas to tackle a situation, but you can also contribute similarly to their journey. The group can also hold you accountable for actions you said you’d perform, or for the words you speak and attitudes you display.

It can also provide you with opportunities to articulate your feelings and experiences. Being able to frame our thoughts and express them is important for understanding how we think about our situation. You might expose limiting thoughts, faulty thinking, leaps of logic and so much more by putting your thoughts into words.

Lastly, one of the benefits is that it is often affordable. As there are several people in the group, this spreads out the overall cost, making group counseling a viable and attractive option for many on a tight budget.

How group and individual counseling differ

There are a few differences between individual and group counseling that are noteworthy. For one thing, individual counseling will often have sessions that range widely in the topics discussed, while group counseling sessions will tend to keep a singular focus on the core reason for the group, whether addressing grief, anxiety, or substance abuse disorders.

With individual counseling, the session is between the client and the counselor. With group counseling, several clients are meeting with one or two counselors in the session. The group members are an integral part of the process.

This difference means that there will be a different dynamic at work in the sessions. In group counseling, the group members all play a role in shaping how the group feels and functions. Part of the process in group counseling is hearing from other group members, and gleaning wisdom from them, and not just the counselor(s). Bonds and friendships can develop in group counseling in ways individual counseling does not allow.

The dynamic with groups might result in more sensitive topics being discussed. Initially, the more deeply vulnerable feelings shared in individual counseling may be difficult to expose in the group counseling setting. Group members may be reticent to share things with a bigger group that they might share more easily with a counselor one-on-one. However, over time, however, as bonds develop, that reticence may dissipate.

Reach out to get started

Both group and individual counseling are helpful for effectively addressing concerns. If you are struggling with an issue, consider group therapy at Irvine Christian Counseling in California. We can help you with this process if you reach out to us today.

At Irvine Christian Counseling, we will connect you with one of the gifted group therapists in Irvine who leads group therapy around your core issue. Likewise, if you are not ready for a group, but would prefer individual counseling, we can find the right fit for you, too. Start your journey today!