What Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a form of treatment in which individuals meet regularly with a trained therapist and a small group of peers to address shared challenges. While individual therapy offers one-on-one support, group therapy provides something uniquely powerful: the opportunity to progress in connection with others.
At The Coping Resource Center, our groups are structured, evidence-based, and designed to help clients build skills while also feeling supported by others who understand what they’re going through.
You’re Not Alone: The Power of Shared Experience
One of the most immediate benefits of group therapy is realizing that you’re not the only one struggling.
Many people come into therapy feeling isolated in their experiences, whether it’s anxiety, grief, or relationship challenges. In a group setting, hearing others share similar thoughts and feelings can be incredibly validating.
This sense of connection can:
- Reduce feelings of loneliness
- Normalize difficult emotions
- Help you feel seen and understood
Learning From Others (Not Just Your Therapist)
In group therapy, insights and observations don’t just come from the therapist. They come from the group as well.
You’ll hear different perspectives, coping strategies, and ways of thinking that you may not have considered before. Often, someone else’s experience can help you better understand your own.
Group members can:
- Offer feedback and encouragement
- Share what has worked for them
- Help you see patterns in a new way
Building Real-Life Skills in Real Time
Group therapy provides a safe space to practice skills in real interactions, not just talk about them.
For example, in skills-based groups like DBT, participants actively learn and practice:
- Emotion regulation
- Distress tolerance
- Mindfulness
- Interpersonal effectiveness
Because you’re interacting with others, you can immediately apply these skills and receive feedback in a supportive environment.
Improving Relationships and Communication
Many challenges people bring to therapy, such as anxiety, depression, and trauma, also impact relationships.
Group therapy helps you:
- Practice communicating more openly
- Set boundaries
- Navigate conflict
- Build trust
Over time, these skills translate directly into your relationships outside of therapy.
Accountability and Motivation
Being part of a group can increase motivation and follow-through.
When you know others are showing up each week and working toward similar goals, it can:
- Encourage consistency
- Increase accountability
- Help you stay engaged in the process
Support That Extends Beyond the Session
Group therapy creates a sense of community that often extends beyond the therapy hour.
Even within the boundaries of the group, many participants report:
- Feeling less alone between sessions
- Carrying encouragement from the group into daily life
- Developing a stronger sense of belonging
Is Group Therapy Right for You?
Group therapy can be especially helpful if you:
- Feel isolated or alone in your struggles
- Want to build coping or communication skills
- Are open to hearing and sharing with others
- Want support alongside individual therapy
It can also be a great complement to individual therapy, offering both depth and connection.
Groups at The Coping Resource Center
We offer a variety of structured, evidence-based groups, including:
- DBT Skills Groups (adults and teens)
- Teen Anxiety and Coping Skills Group
- Grief support groups
- Family support for eating disorders
- CBT for Menopause
Explore our current groups and ongoing enrollment
Final Thoughts
While opening up in a group may feel intimidating at first, many people find that it becomes one of the most meaningful and impactful parts of their therapy journey.
Connection, shared experience, and skill-building come together in ways individual therapy alone can’t always provide.
