Key facts
- Group therapy is led by one or more licensed therapists and usually includes about five to fifteen members, according to the American Psychological Association. Ask about the facilitator's group training and the expected membership.
- Research supports group therapy as an effective treatment, and it can be used alone or alongside individual care. Comparisons depend on the condition and treatment approach. AGPA: Group psychotherapy.
- A key benefit is universality: realizing other people share experiences you are facing. Group interactions also provide opportunities to practice communication and receive feedback. APA: Understanding group therapy.
- Groups run under confidentiality agreements, and you can discuss the pace of sharing with the facilitator. Other members' confidentiality cannot be guaranteed; ask about limits and responses to breaches. AGPA: Practice guidelines.
What is group therapy?
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which one or more trained therapists work with a small group of people at the same time. The American Psychological Association describes groups of roughly five to fifteen members, typically meeting for an hour or two each week. Confirm the actual size and schedule with the facilitator before enrolling. Members may share a common concern, such as depression, grief, or addiction, or the group may bring together people with different issues who can still learn from one another.
The therapist's role is to create a safe, structured space, guide the conversation, and help members notice patterns and support one another. Much of the value comes from the interactions between members, not just from the therapist. Hearing how others cope, getting honest feedback, and practicing new ways of relating all happen naturally in a group. As the American Psychological Association notes, a well-run therapy group can feel like a supportive community where change is possible.
Group therapy is a recognized, evidence-based treatment with methods designed for learning and change through relationships. It is offered in private practices, clinics, hospitals, and community settings, and it can be a complete treatment on its own or used alongside individual counseling.
Types of groups
Groups come in several forms, chosen to fit the goal:
- Psychoeducational groups: teach skills and information about a condition, such as managing anxiety or understanding depression.
- Skills-development groups: focus on practicing specific tools, for example coping or communication skills.
- Process or interpersonal groups: use the relationships within the group itself to explore patterns and grow.
- Support groups: center on shared experience and mutual encouragement, often around grief, illness, or addiction. Peer-led support groups may have no clinician and do not necessarily provide psychotherapy.
- Cognitive behavioral groups: deliver structured CBT in a group format for concerns like anxiety or low mood.
Groups may be open (members join and leave over time) or closed (the same members start and finish together), and they may be time-limited or ongoing.
Benefits and what it helps with
Group therapy helps with a broad range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, grief, trauma recovery, social difficulties, and addiction. Its distinctive benefits flow from the group itself:
- Universality: discovering that others share your struggles, which reduces shame and isolation.
- Support and belonging: a built-in network of people who understand.
- Perspective: hearing different viewpoints and seeing how others handle similar situations.
- A safe place to practice: trying out new ways of communicating and receiving honest, caring feedback.
- Hope: watching others make progress can be deeply encouraging.
For many people, the experience of being accepted by a group, and of helping others in turn, is healing in itself.
What to expect in a session
Most groups begin with a private screening session, where the therapist learns about your situation and explains how the group works, including the ground rules around confidentiality and respect. This is also your chance to ask questions and decide if the group feels right.
In a typical session, members sit together, often in a circle, and the therapist may open with a check-in. From there, conversation flows as members share what is on their minds, respond to one another, and work through challenges with the therapist's guidance. You can discuss what you feel ready to share, and listening can help you settle in. Ask about participation expectations because some groups involve structured exercises. Over time, as trust builds, most people find it easier to open up. Members are expected to keep discussions private. The therapist should explain confidentiality limits, and other members could still disclose information outside the group. Ask how privacy concerns are handled before sharing sensitive details. AGPA practice guidelines explain why confidentiality in groups cannot be guaranteed. Many people find mindfulness or grounding skills useful for managing nerves before a session.
Group vs. individual therapy
Neither format is better in general; they offer different things. Individual therapy gives you one-on-one attention, privacy subject to explained legal limits, and a pace set entirely around you, which can be ideal for deeply personal work or for getting started. Group therapy adds the perspectives, support, and accountability of others, and it can be especially powerful for concerns that involve relationships, isolation, or shame.
Research supports both. The American Group Psychotherapy Association describes group therapy as effective for concerns including depression and anxiety. Outcomes depend on the specific approach, the group, and your clinical needs; ask the facilitator about evidence relevant to your concern. Cost can also differ, with group therapy often more affordable per session. Many people combine the two, using individual therapy for private issues and a group for connection and practice. A clinician can help you decide which fits your needs.
Finding the right group
Look for a group led by a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist, counselor, or clinical social worker, ideally one with training in group work. It helps to find a group whose focus matches your concern, whether that is grief, anxiety, addiction recovery, or general support. Ask about the group's size, how long it runs, whether it is open or closed, and what the screening process involves.
Fit matters, so it is fine to ask questions before committing and to give a group a few sessions before deciding. If you are unsure where to start, your doctor or a therapist can point you toward reputable groups in your area, and our therapist directory can help you find providers who run them.
Frequently asked questions
Is group therapy as effective as individual therapy?
Group therapy can be an effective treatment, and some people benefit from combining it with individual therapy. The formats work differently: groups offer feedback and relationship practice, while individual sessions allow more private attention. Whether outcomes are comparable depends on the condition and approach. Ask a clinician which format fits your goals, how the group is selected, and whether you need additional individual support.
Do I have to share personal details in front of strangers?
You can tell the facilitator what you feel ready to share and ask about participation expectations before joining. Many people find that listening first helps them settle in. Groups use confidentiality agreements, but another member could still repeat information outside the group. Ask how privacy breaches, distress during sessions, and requests to pause an exercise are handled.
How is group therapy different from a support group?
Group therapy is led by a licensed mental health professional and follows a treatment approach. A peer support group is usually run by members or a facilitator and focuses on shared experience rather than formal therapy. Both can offer connection. Ask who leads the group, whether it provides clinical treatment, how members are screened, and what support is available if you become distressed.
How do I find a therapist who offers group therapy?
To find a therapist who offers group therapy, search local clinician directories or ask a clinic, hospital, or your current therapist about groups accepting members. Confirm the group's focus, facilitator credentials, fees, and availability directly. Ask whether it is open to new members, requires a screening appointment, or expects attendance for a defined course. Check insurance coverage specifically for group sessions.
Related
- General Counseling
- Addiction
- Depression
- Chat Therapy
Therapists who specialize in group therapy
Connect with a licensed therapist on Psychology.com who works with group therapy.
- Advance Thru Psychotherapy and Family Development
- Amy Keller
- Arlyn P. Stern LCSW
- Candice Edelbaum
- Caring Counseling Center
- Cheri Albertson
Browse all therapists →
Finding the right help
When you are ready to take the next step, these guides walk you through finding and starting with the right therapist.
- Getting started with therapy
- How to find the right therapist
- Find a therapist who takes insurance
- Free & low-cost therapy
References
- American Group Psychotherapy Association: Practice guidelines for group psychotherapy
- American Group Psychotherapy Association: What is group psychotherapy?
- American Psychological Association (APA): Psychotherapy: Group therapy
- American Psychological Association (APA): The benefits of group therapy
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Psychotherapies
- SAMHSA: National Helpline and treatment resources
- American Psychiatric Association (APA): What is Psychotherapy?
Before joining a therapy group
Describe what you want help with and ask how the group addresses it. Find out whether sessions focus on structured skills, open discussion, or relationships between members. For an online group, ask about private space, headphones, recording rules, and what happens if the connection drops while someone is distressed.
If speaking in groups is difficult, the social anxiety screening can help you describe your concerns to the facilitator; it cannot decide whether a group is appropriate. The distress tolerance worksheets offer coping exercises you can discuss with your clinician. Compare other formats in the therapies and approaches hub.