5 Benefits of Group Counseling

For most things in life, we are stronger together. That goes for sports teams, families, communities, and organizations. We can accomplish more when other people bring their insights, strengths, and gifts to bear on a problem or situation. When groups work well together, there is little they cannot accomplish.

There is a South African proverb which sets out a philosophy called ‘ubuntu’ (yes, that is where the Linux distribution gets its name if you’re into that sort of thing). The proverb goes, “A person is a person because of other people.”

What this means is that we come to a full understanding of who we are when we are in a relationship with others. Their humanity illuminates and shows us our own. This philosophy highlights the importance of having others around you and appreciating that we will reach our full human potential only as we relate well with others.

It is in stark contrast to how we typically view things here in the United States, where we emphasize our individuality and independence, often at the expense of others and possibly ourselves.

When we encounter setbacks and challenges of various sorts, we can choose to go it alone or to enlist the help and support of others to make our way. Biblical wisdom reminds us of the value of seeking counsel from others and the strength that can be found in doing life with other likeminded folks who share our values.

Ecclesiastes says, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work: if one falls down, his friend can help him up”. The wisdom book called Proverbs notes that “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22).

When facing a crisis, the last thing anyone wants to feel is isolated without support.

What is Group Counseling?

Group counseling is a form of counseling where a group of 5 to 9 individuals led by a professional therapist meet regularly (perhaps once a week) to talk and work through whatever issue is the focus of that group. Group counseling sessions are usually an hour or two long, and the group meets once or twice a week. The group can meet for a short-term period (a few months) or long term (a few years).

Using well-attested techniques for group therapy, the therapist will guide the group in discussion to gain clarity on issues, work through possible solutions, and develop skills to address the issue that is the focus area for the group. The group members interact with one another during the session, sharing their unique stories, experiences, goals, and feelings.

Depending on the issue you’re struggling with, group therapy may be the perfect option for therapy to explore your concerns and bring about constructive and lasting change in your life.

Several focus areas can be dealt with in group therapy, and these include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Divorce
• Loss and grief
• Sexual addiction and/or pornography
• Trauma and trauma-related disorders such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Loneliness
• Alcohol and substance abuse/addiction
• Couples issues
• Anger issues

Five Benefits of Group Counseling

There are several benefits of group therapy. As some people are guarded and prefer to keep their private lives private, the thought of being part of a group of strangers and sharing personal and intimate details about aspects of their life can seem intimidating and uncomfortable to them. This could be you. The group experience, however, can be rewarding.

Here are five benefits of group counseling:

1. Accountability and relationships

Meeting regularly with a group allows you to develop relationships within that group. They may share similar experiences to yours, and that can be a starting point for developing healthy relationships.

As those relationships develop, and as you share your goals – such as overcoming an addiction or expressing your anger in healthy and constructive ways – the group can hold you accountable to meet those goals. This means that they can be a source of encouragement and rebuke when you need it so that you achieve your goals and meet the milestones you set for yourself.

If you are a believer and the group is intentionally a Christian group composed of other believers with the same struggle, walking alongside like-minded brothers or sisters in Christ with the same struggles may just be what you need to overcome your challenges.

2. A sounding board for ideas

When you’re going through challenges, it’s helpful having people with whom you can exchange ideas and share concerns. As the group meets to address a focus area, you can be reasonably sure that the people in the group have likely gone through what you are going through.

The wisdom and life experience within the group is a valuable resource to draw and benefit from. The group can be a sounding board for ideas – someone else may have tried what you would like to try, and they can give you insight into whether it worked for them, and if it could be of benefit to you.

Instead of navigating your challenges and questions blindly and by yourself, the group can function as guides and a repository of knowledge for you to tackle the challenges you face.

3. Develop perspective on your issues

Groups are usually composed of people from all walks of life and a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. It is quite likely that in each group there will be no one way of seeing a situation.

Sharing your experiences and concerns with the group can surprise you in pleasant ways – you may find someone who will say, “Hey, I’ve been there and done that too!” You may find people that faced the same situation but dealt with it in a completely different manner than you might.

Sharing your concerns with a group helps you to discover other ways of looking at a situation, and perhaps using different methods to tackle a problem. The old adage says, “A problem shared is a problem halved.”

Getting a concern that is weighing on you out into the open can also help you gain perspective on something you may have thought was insurmountable or overwhelming. Hearing the stories of others’ struggles and success may also be an encouragement that your own story will turn out well.

4. Led by a trained therapist

A trained therapist leads group sessions. The members aren’t left to flounder by themselves; the process is guided by someone who is trained to handle group dynamics as well as whatever issue the group is formed to address.

For example, if the group is meeting to address pornography or sex addiction, the therapist who leads the group will likely be a trained and certified sexual addiction therapist whose skillset includes treating unwanted and unhealthy sexual thoughts and behavior.

They have the necessary experience to know how to guide you constructively as well as provide the group tools to progress towards its stated goal. This means that an individual member of the group can benefit from the wisdom of the group as well as their therapist.

5. Giving as much as you receive

Group therapy opens you up to receive wisdom and support from others as they share their life experiences and hold you accountable. In as much as this is true, it also provides you with the opportunity to share yourself and the story God is shaping in you with others.

You can play a part in helping to give others perspective, to hold them accountable, and to be a source of encouragement for them too. The group is not only a space for receiving, but for giving as well. This can go a long way toward restoring your joy and sense of purpose.

In addition to these five benefits (as a bonus), group therapy can function as an additional resource and space to supplement individual therapy. Just because you attend group therapy, it does not mean you can’t have individual therapy as well to have exclusive time with a therapist. For instance, if you’re struggling with shyness or communicating well with others, group therapy can be an opportunity to practice techniques given by your therapist.

Getting Started with Group Therapy in Encinitas

Group therapy has enormous potential to help you on your journey toward healing. What happens when others share their perspective, wisdom, and life experience in a group context is that you are encouraged by the fact that you are not alone, you are given helpful strategies for solving issues, and you can be kept accountable.

To get started with group therapy, you can enquire about groups from your therapist, if you have one. Additionally, information can be obtained from local hospitals or medical centers about what groups are available, when they meet and how they work.