When people picture therapy, they immediately imagine a quiet room, a comfy red couch and a one-on-one conversation with a calm, compassionate and nodding therapist. That’s the classic image and classic form of therapy. But what if healing didn’t have to happen in silence or solitude? What if some of the most powerful moments of growth came not from talking at someone, but rather from connecting with others who truly get it?
Group therapy is a type of psychotherapy where a small group of people, usually five to fifteen, are treated simultaneously by one or more therapists. Group therapy uses the dynamics of interpersonal interaction to promote understanding, support, and behavioural change, in contrast to individual therapy, which concentrates on the private, one-on-one relationship between the client and therapist. A lot of people are reluctant to share their deepest thoughts and feelings with strangers, in a circle of people unknown to them. Honestly that is a fair concern. But group therapy is more than just “therapy with more people”. It’s something different, often more dynamic, and surprisingly powerful.
One of the loneliest parts of struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or even everyday stress is feeling like you’re the only one who doesn’t have it “together.” But in a therapy group? That illusion shatters fast. One of the foundational principles of group therapy is universality, the realization that one is not alone in their struggles. Many individuals entering therapy carry a heavy burden of shame, isolation, or self-blame. Hearing others articulate similar thoughts, emotions, or experiences can be profoundly validating. You’ll hear someone say something you’ve thought a hundred times but never dared to voice and suddenly, you feel seen. Not judged. Not fixed. Just understood. This sense of shared humanity reduces feelings of alienation and fosters a sense of belonging, which is often therapeutic in itself. That moment when you realize, “Oh, I’m not broken. I’m human” is often the first real step toward healing. As psychiatrist Irvin Yalom, a pioneer in group therapy, noted, the group becomes a “microcosm of the social world,” offering members a safe space to explore interpersonal patterns, receive feedback, and practice new ways of relating.
Another critical therapeutic factor in group settings is interpersonal learning. Within the group, members inevitably replicate the relational dynamics they experience outside of therapy. Maybe you tend to stay quiet when you’re uncomfortable. In group, that pattern shows up. Maybe you jump in to fix other people’s problems to avoid your own. Yes, it’ll happen there too. But here’s the magic: the group (guided by a skilled therapist) gently reflects that back to you. Not to shame you, but to help you see yourself more clearly and try something new. It’s like getting live feedback on how you show up in the world, with zero social consequences.
You don’t have to be the center of attention to benefit. Sometimes, just listening to someone else work through a problem sparks your own insight. You might recognize your own fears in their story or feel inspired by their courage. Additionally, witnessing others cope effectively with adversity can instill hope and model resilience, a phenomenon Yalom termed “instillation of hope.” This “vicarious learning” is a quiet but potent force in group therapy and it means you’re growing even on the days you don’t say much.
From a practical standpoint, group therapy is often more accessible and cost-effective than individual sessions, making mental health support available to a broader population. Despite its many benefits, group therapy is not without challenges. Establishing trust and cohesion takes time, and some individuals may initially feel uncomfortable sharing in a group setting. Confidentiality is always a ground rule in reputable therapy groups. Everyone agrees (and often signs an agreement) not to share what’s said outside the room. Of course, there’s always a small risk but most people find that the sense of mutual respect and shared vulnerability creates a surprisingly safe container.
In conclusion, group therapy harnesses the healing power of human connection in a way that individual therapy alone cannot. By creating a space where vulnerability is met with empathy, isolation gives way to community, and personal insight is deepened through shared experience, group therapy offers a uniquely holistic approach to psychological well-being. As mental health awareness continues to grow, so too does the recognition that healing is not a solitary endeavor but a collective, relational process. To conclude in the words of the Yalom, “People need people - for initial and continued survival, for socialization, for the pursuit of satisfaction. No one - not the dying, not the outcast, not the mighty - transcends the need for human contact.”
Finally, healing doesn’t always happen in the spotlight. Sometimes, it grows in the shared space between people who are all doing their best just like you.
Diadora Cërmjani, MA
Clinical Psychologist, Trauma Therapist & Gestalt Therapist in Training
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