What is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is “a form of psychotherapy that involves one or more therapists working with several people at the same time. This type of therapy is widely available at a variety of locations including private therapeutic practices, hospitals, mental health clinics, and community centers.”
Group therapy can be scary for self-professed “non group people.” But, after giving it a try, young adults find it to be very helpful.
Why Young Adults Won’t Attend Group Therapy
There is a stigma, and feelings of shame surrounding group therapy. Young people are hesitant to attend sessions due to:
- Emotional vulnerability: Young people don’t want to feel weak from their struggles.
- It’s scary: Most people are uncomfortable opening up in a group setting.
- TV portrays group therapy in a negative light: Group therapy is vibrant and dynamic. Leaders focus on accomplishing goals and healing.
- Not enough time: Group therapy sessions usually take up 1-2 hours a week. And, since most young adults spend 2 hours a day on social media, there’s definitely time to invest in self-care!
Young people need to step outside their comfort zones. They should “push the boundaries of what they are accustomed to, and challenge themselves to try something new.”
Decreasing the Shame around Mental, Physical, and Emotional Issues
Many young people feel shame about their issues. They even keep their struggles a secret from their parents and best friends. Group therapy helps young adults feel less isolated and alone.
Group therapy provides:
- Social support
- Improves social networks
- Reduces stigma, isolation, and alienation
- Understanding
- Coping
- Healing
Group Participation Works
Young adults are better able to work through their struggles in a group setting. Hearing someone else talk about her struggles helps to generate positive coping techniques.
“It is a powerful experience not only for the person gaining insight, but also the person giving it because they get to see the ways that they can affect another person.”
It’s an Affordable Alternative
“Because you are sharing your therapist’s time among several people, groups tend to be far more affordable than individual sessions.”
Group therapy also provides added social benefits, such as:
- Hope
- Universality
- Sharing information
- Altruism
- Socialization techniques
- Imitative behavior
- Interpersonal learning
- Group cohesiveness
- Catharsis
To learn more about young adult therapy options, click here.
