Group psychotherapy has become very popular in recent times due to the benefits that it can offer when applied. However, some haven’t embraced its idea, though.
Are you amongst the people who can’t believe in what group psychotherapy can offer as benefits? Do you know that this psychotherapy can add value to your life in various ways? This post will be revealing such benefits. Just ensure to read the details below to know why group psychotherapy is highly recommended…
What is group psychotherapy?
This is psychotherapy, whereby patients are being treated in a group instead of individually. In this case, a professional psychologist will lead a group of about 5-15 patients. These patients will have problems that are similar or directly related. A convenient meeting time will be scheduled for group members. These are typically led by two or more therapists. The details that follow will help you know what group therapy is like. You can also find out more about group psychotherapy on BetterHelp.
1 It acts as a networking platform
There is something unique and special about group therapies. This is the fact that you have the chance of meeting other people. These people have a similar goal or interest in overcoming a particular challenge. This means you are not alone when it comes to solutions for such problems. Group psychotherapy helps to ensure that people share ideas and offer solutions to a particular situation.
For instance, if you are suffering from depression and happen to meet with people experiencing such a problem, ideas on how it can be treated or managed will be shared easily. Group psychotherapy is very different as compared to when it involves only you and a psychologist. In the latter case, all the ideas are coming from the psychologist. Although this is effective, the solutions recommended may not be adequate for your problem.
2 It can help motivate clients
Do you know it is easier to learn from your peers than from a professional? This is similar to what happens in the classroom. Students will learn from their teachers. However, they will learn much better when they are sharing ideas and concepts amongst themselves. The same thing applies to group psychotherapy, where people’s problems are addressed in groups instead of individually.
Hearing testimonies from other patients who must have suffered from anxiety and depression in the past can help you feel motivated. Sometimes, people think these health challenges are insurmountable. However, you can have a different perspective on them by hearing from other people in such a group.
These people can explain how they managed to overcome such nightmares, including the techniques they adopted. Listening to testimonies like these make you feel good with the hope that your problem can be overcome. You can even discuss further with them to get more ideas about dealing with your problem. You will never get to experience such a benefit when dealing individually with a psychologist.
3 Diverse views and opinions
This is one of the most obvious benefits of group psychotherapy. It is a phase in life that helps you understand the different personalities of people. Sometimes, dealing with a psychologist alone makes you assume a lot about others. However, when this is carried out in group sessions, you have the rare chance of seeing how people behave differently. Furthermore, you will see how people have been able to address their problems using various strategies.
The bottom line here is that group psychotherapies provide opportunities for you to learn more about humans’ diverse nature. It helps you understand the different ways by which problems can be dealt with. You will begin to find out how various options can be explored without compromising your values and beliefs.
This is the reason why most experts have recommended it in the past. They consider it as one of the most flexible forms of psychotherapies.
4 Developing your social life
Do you know that low social life can have some negative implications for your mental health? These could be problems like anxiety, depression, fear, and many others. When it is not addressed correctly, it can worsen over time. Some people committed suicide due to depression. One of the best and most effective ways to fight this problem is working on your social life. Group psychotherapy gives you the chance to meet with people.
These relationships can further develop in the long term as you can still communicate with friends you have come across during such sessions. Through this, there will not be any room for loneliness. This platform enables you to understand how to build healthy relationships that can prove beneficial to your health and other aspects of life. Of course, friends and family members will always add value to your life once you know how to relate with them. Simply put, your social skills and communication abilities will be developed through group psychotherapy.
5 Collective support
In case you don’t know, people in a group can offer support to one another. This could be in the form of emotional support, financial support, or another form of support. This makes the bond between them more potent. They will begin to develop that sense of belonging and alliance to tackle their problems together. Individual psychotherapy is excellent and useful. However, it doesn’t offer any benefit of this nature, given that you will be alone with your psychologist.
With this platform, you have the support since there will be plenty of such coming from other group members. This can even help to ensure you are feeling much better. One of the problems most people are experiencing is not being loved by friends and family members. They believe the world is always against them since nothing is working in their favor. Group psychotherapy can help to change that mentality.
6 It is more economical
Do you have a limited budget but would still want the help of a psychologist? In such a case, group psychotherapy is the best option. It is much cheaper as compared to booking for individual sessions with psychologists. Most people usually believe that these group sessions are not powerful enough since there will be more than one patient being attended to.
This doesn’t seem right as it has always proven to be incredibly useful over the years. The best part is that it tends to be cost-effective. Imagine spending less and getting the rare chance of being with a professional psychologist.
Final words
There is no doubt, that group psychotherapy is beneficial in many ways. Don’t try to isolate yourself from any activity that members of such a group will be doing. Instead, ensure you are playing an active role.
