May is National Mental Health Awareness Group, so let’s talk about group therapy! When people hear the term “group therapy,” it often conjures up a pretty undesirable picture: maybe a room of sad people sitting in a circle? Maybe you’re imagining people sitting in folding chairs and taking turns sharing their problems? A meeting of misery? This inaccurate perception can keep people from engaging in some of the most healing and uplifting therapeutic work there is! I have been involved in group therapy for more than 10 years. In addition to leading groups in my own practice, I continue to engage in my own training. I am also gifted with the privilege of teaching this important skill to up-and-coming therapists at Airport Marina Counseling Services (AMCS). There are innumerable advantages to participating in group therapy. Part of my mission has been to widen the awareness of such benefits and increase involvement.
Below are the top three benefits every person can gain by participating in group therapy.
1. Connection. People are starved for it. The loneliness epidemic is real. Whether it was born out of the pandemic, the dependence on phones or the addictive quality of social media, everyone is experiencing it. As humans, we are biologically wired for connecting in groups. Being in a group allows the opportunity for belonging, which is a basic need and is an infallible way to improve mood and decrease anxiety. Meeting in the same place, at the same time, and with the same people for the purpose of connecting is a way of intentionally committing to this important need. It also provides a comfortable structure in which to do so.
2. Give and Take. Part of what feels good in relationships is reciprocation. Group therapy creates a space to not only gain support from others, but also provide feedback. Upon gaining support and validation, there is a sense of being seen and understood. When offering feedback, there is the fulfillment of helping others. The benefits of being with equals who provide give and take and who offer positive regard can carry more weight than if it comes only from the therapist.
3. Managing Emotions. We are in a time when many people are experiencing anxiety in one form or another and this affects people’s behaviors and habits in different ways. Some overeat, some lose sleep, some isolate themselves from others. The best way to “feel in control” of your emotions (which is actually regulating your nervous system), is to talk about them in a safe setting with others. The truth about uncomfortable feelings (worries, stress, sadness, grief) is that we all experience them, and all of them gradually pass. By expressing them out loud with others, it becomes possible to move through these feelings with more grace and self-compassion.
These points merely scratch the surface of the benefits of group therapy. Improving communication skills, building a healthier understanding of yourself, increasing your confidence, improving relationships and a greater overall life satisfaction are also discovered with time and dedication to a regular group. The number one thing I hear from my own clients who have committed to this type of work is, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” Hopefully, this information provides an invitation to the amazing personal growth opportunities that await upon taking a dive into group therapy.
If your interest has been piqued, please reach out to AMCS to learn about the groups we have to offer. Don’t see a group that works for you? Let us know what you’re looking for–we are always open to new ideas.
Visit amcshelps.com/groups or scan the QR code to learn more!
Stefani Roscoe, LCSW, CGP, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, specializing in assisting people with their emotional well-being by improving awareness and acceptance of themselves. She is also the group track supervisor at Westchester’s Airport Marina Counseling Services (AMCS).
Learn more at Stefaniroscoetherapy.com.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Stefani is on a mission to bring awareness to the benefits of group therapy.
By Stefani Roscoe