At a glance
- Therapy in which a small group meets together with a trained therapist.
- The shared experience itself is part of the benefit: feeling understood, less alone, and learning from others.
- Effective for many conditions and often more affordable and available than individual therapy.
- Different from a casual support group, though both have value.
What it is
Group therapy is therapy delivered to several people at once, guided by one or more trained therapists. It can use many approaches, such as CBT or DBT skills delivered in a group format, or it can be more open and exploratory. What makes it distinctive is that the group itself becomes part of the treatment: members support and learn from one another, discover they are not alone in their struggles, practise relating to others in a safe setting, and often find that helping others helps themselves.
It differs from a peer support group, which is usually led by people with shared experience rather than a therapist, though both are valuable and complement each other.
Why it helps, and the evidence
Group therapy is effective for a wide range of conditions, with evidence supporting it for depression, anxiety, substance use and trauma, among others, often comparably to individual therapy. Part of its power is specific to the group format: the relief of realising others share the same struggle, the encouragement of seeing others recover, and the chance to practise new ways of relating. It is also more affordable and can reach more people, which matters greatly where therapists are scarce.
What to expect
A group is usually small and meets regularly with the same members and therapist, which builds trust and safety over time. Confidentiality among members is a ground rule. Depending on the type, sessions may teach specific skills or offer space to share and reflect. Many people feel nervous about speaking in a group at first; a good therapist makes it safe, and there is no pressure to share more than you are ready to.
Is it right for me
Group therapy suits many people and is sometimes used alongside individual therapy. Some find the group format daunting at first but come to value it deeply. It is a particularly good option where individual therapy is hard to access or afford. A professional can advise on what fits. Our Get Support page can help you find groups and services.
When to seek help
If you are struggling and would value both professional guidance and the support of others facing similar difficulties, ask about group therapy. It can be a powerful and accessible route to help.
Sources
- Burlingame, G. M., & Strauss, B. (2021). Efficacy of small group treatments: Foundation for evidence-based practice. In Bergin and Garfield’s Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behavior Change (7th ed.). Wiley.
- McDermut, W., Miller, I. W., & Brown, R. A. (2001). The efficacy of group psychotherapy for depression. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 8(1), 98-116.