Written by:

Lee Spinks

Medically Reviewed by:

Dr Mateen Durrani – MBBS, DPM, MSc, BCPsych

Last Updated:

September 24th, 2024

Group Therapy

What is Group Therapy?

Group therapy refers to any therapy conducted in a group rather than one-to-one. Usually, group therapy will focus on dealing with a single topic, such as addiction. Group therapy takes advantage of group dynamics, with participants learning from each other and a therapist.

Group therapy is just one of many treatment options that will be made available to you at Oasis Bradford’s inpatient rehab programme.

Group Therapy For Addiction

Isolation is a huge driver of addiction, and a strong support network boosts recovery rates and protects against relapse.

Some people might not have a strong support network, or the people closest to them might not know much about addiction. Group therapy can be very beneficial in these cases, as it will allow you to form bonds with other people who understand your struggles. Your fellow attendees will be able to offer a lot of wisdom and encouragement – they’re facing the same problems that you are.

As well as reducing isolation, group therapy is beneficial if you find it difficult to express your needs or find yourself getting angry and blowing up at others. For people with avoidant or high-conflict communication styles, group therapy can help them find new ways to connect and communicate with others.

Group Therapy Benefits

Confidentiality

While individual therapy is seen as more confidential, group therapy also has a strong commitment to confidentiality. There are ground rules in group therapy – and one of them is that participants are to keep what is discussed in the group private. Group therapy is at its most effective when people can be honest, meaning this is an important rule that participants are expected to adhere to.

Peer support

While your therapist in individual therapy will understand addiction, your fellow group therapy participants will have experienced it first-hand. They will be able to empathise with you, share knowledge, and encourage you on your journey, and may understand many of the things you’re struggling with in ways others in your life may not.

Witnessing recovery in others

When you’re finding recovery especially challenging, seeing others who have been able to remain abstinent can be reassuring and inspiring. You will see people at different stages in their journey and will also be able to witness people progressing through their recovery. This shows that abstinence is possible.

Real-time feedback

Having faulty or distorted beliefs and self-image are very common, and group therapy can be helpful for this. Fellow group members will be able to point out flaws in your thinking and where your perception of yourself does not match their perception of you. They can also draw attention to patterns in communicating with others or speaking about yourself. This can help you see things in a new light.

Discipline and structure

Individual therapy can usually be rescheduled, but group therapy happens simultaneously, at the same place, every week. Missing a session doesn’t just impact you; it impacts everyone. This can mean it’s less likely that you decide to skip a session- you feel a responsibility towards your group and want to make sure you keep your commitment to them.

Keeping each other accountable

Other group members can see when you’re in denial about something or you think a behaviour is less harmful than it actually is – and you will be able to see it in others. Being confronted with these things in a group setting can help you to see things for how they actually are.

Group Therapy vs Individual Therapy

There are advantages and disadvantages to both group and individual therapy – you will likely be offered both as part of inpatient treatment. You don’t need to worry about one being more effective than the other: The American Psychological Association states that group and individual therapies are equally effective.

Because it takes place with other people, group therapy offers some benefits that individual therapy can’t offer. In group therapy, the therapist can view your interactions and relationships in real-time and get a much more accurate view of how you relate to other people. In individual therapy, the therapist only gets one person’s perspective – yours. However, in group therapy, the therapist can witness your body language and how exchanges affect you and others. As it happens, this can also be brought to your attention, offering you instant feedback. Therapists in individual therapy can observe how you interact with them, but the therapeutic relationship is different from the ones you will have with your peers.

Group therapy is much more present-focused. In individual therapy, you will talk about events and emotions after they have happened. In group therapy, discussion, conflict and emotions can be noticed and discussed as they arise.

During group therapy, honest communication is the goal – and this can be practised in a safe environment and carried over into real life. It encourages stepping outside your emotional comfort zone and communicating clearly, effectively and candidly. This can improve your relationships outside of the therapeutic context.

What to expect in group therapy

One or two therapists will be present in a small group of participants. All members will be people in recovery for addiction, so you can be sure that the people there will have similar experiences to you. This means there’s no reason to feel ashamed – everyone is there for the same reason.

Your participation is central to how much you get out of group therapy. The therapist’s role is to direct conversation to help each member better understand each other. In group therapy, you get out what you put in.

You will be exposed to different points of view and have the opportunity to learn from others. This can feel unsafe at first, but most people find that this becomes easier over time, and once they’re over this, sharing and listening are very beneficial.

Getting the addiction help you need

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and interested in exploring the benefits of group therapy, reaching out for help is a crucial step towards healing and recovery. By contacting Oasis Bradford, you can access valuable information about group therapy and addiction treatment programmes. Our experts will be happy to answer any questions you may have, address your concerns, and provide further details about how group therapy can be advantageous in your addiction recovery.

Remember, seeking help for your addiction is a sign of strength and a powerful step towards a healthier, more fulfilling life. Don’t let misconceptions or fears hold you back from the support and connection that group therapy can offer. Contact us today, and let us guide you towards a future without addiction.

Frequently Asked Questions