Is Group Therapy The Right Fit For Me?
Is group therapy right for me? How do I know if I should stick with individual therapy or join a group? These are questions that often come up around group therapy in our NYC therapy practice. Of course, we’re on record asserting that group therapy is incredibly helpful, and that even reluctant group therapy patients will sometimes find group therapy more helpful than their individual therapy. We’re excited to have been able to clarify some of these questions recently in SELF Magazine, which quoted Tribeca Therapy about the differences between individual and group therapy, as well as how to know if group therapy is the right fit.
Group Therapy Can Help You Go Beyond The Context Of One-On-One Work
While individual therapy is about you singularly, group therapy can help you get better at being in and building relationships with a group. As our director Matt explained to writer Brittany Risher: “Hearing from people who have had similar experiences [can have] value to an individual in ways that go beyond the context of one-on-one work.” There is a diverse range of groups for people with similar experiences, whether dealing with depression, loneliness, anxiety, Asperger’s, and social anxiety, to name a few.
What Is The Difference Between Group Therapy And Support Groups?
The SELF article also lays out the differences between group therapy and support groups, which can seem confusing. In particular, group therapy is led by psychotherapists rather than support groups, which are often peer-led by people who have dealt with similar experiences. Matt points out that support groups are typically not covered by insurance since they aren’t generally led by a health care provider, though they are often free or lower cost than individual or group therapy.
In Group Therapy, Consistency Is Key
While it’s clear our practice believes in the strength of group therapy, the article also explores some potential downsides, especially if a group doesn’t have consistent attendance. This is important to remember when deciding whether to seek group therapy. “Consistency of the group is important and ideal,” Matt says, “When you come and go, [it] doesn’t just affect you, it impacts other people.”
Read more of “How to Know if Group Therapy Might be Right for You” on SELF here.
