Find Community and Healing Through Group Therapy and Support Groups
Your emotional health requires tender care and attention. If you are struggling with mental health issues, there are various ways to obtain the support that you need. Individual therapy may be the first thing that comes to mind, but group therapy and support groups are becoming increasingly popular. Group therapy is a powerful tool that provides a sense of community and helps reduce stigma around mental health issues.
Psychological group therapy and support groups gather around 8-12 people guided by trained psychologists, psychotherapists, and/or psychiatrists. This form of therapy focuses on the collective, considering the dynamics of the group to facilitate individual learning and growth. According to the studies, group therapy has been shown to be just as effective as individual therapy for many types of mental health disorders.
By joining a support group, you get the chance to connect with others who are dealing with similar issues. The sense of community can offer a space to share experiences, learn more about different helpful coping strategies, and feel supported. Importantly, support groups can reduce feelings of loneliness, isolation, and self-blame commonly experienced by those struggling with mental illness.
Group therapy encourages individuals to share their feelings, which can reduce shame about mental health struggles and help destigmatize mental health issues. Studies have found that the supportive nature of group therapy models increases self-esteem, reduces anger, decreases symptoms of anxiety and depression, and even lowers blood pressure. Participants can also see improvement in how they interact with others and their ability to cope with life’s challenges.
Group therapy can offer new perspectives on personal issues and a safe space to learn new behaviors and practice social skills in a setting where support and positive feedback are present. In a study , it was found that group therapy enhances the learning of new-connected, daily-life activity programs in those with spinal cord injuries compared to traditional rehabilitation.
As group therapy continues to gain in popularity, mental health practitioners are taking notice and creating more opportunities for people to find community and healing. Talk to your mental health provider to learn more about group therapy options that might be right for you.
At Dharte, we recognize the importance of community and support in mental health. That’s why we offer group therapy as part of our comprehensive array of services to nurture your wellbeing and support your journey towards healing.
Also Read: Manifesting Success, Love, and Abundance: The Power of Positive Affirmations
