Question

How can people be successfully treated in group therapy when individuals with the "same" problem are so different? What advantages might group therapy offer over individual therapy? Please find a piece of outside research to support your ideas. Please include the link to your research article or website.

Answer 1

Group therapy advantages over individual therapy are listed below:

• Group therapy is much cheaper compared to individual therapy so the person doesn’t feel too financially burdened in seeking therapy.
• Groups are like a sounding board, the support and knowledge pool is greater compared to individual therapy, the person feels more included and interactive in a group.
• Inspiration can be found in group as people feel connected with others undergoing similar issues and are witness to others’ successes and are hence motivated to achieve good results or outcomes for themselves.
• Opportunities to socialize and improve communication skills are higher in group therapy so individuals are able to better communicate and express themselves more freely whereas in individual therapy the conversation may be a bit restricted and inhibited as its more one on one basis.
• Group therapy allows for the participants to offer support to each other and be more helpful, this can increase feelings of worth and gives a sense of purpose as well. These positive feelings help one grow and learn in the process.
• Increases Self awareness as the person is able to see different points of views and experiences varying perspectives, hence becomes more aware and conscious of ones’ own beliefs, thoughts and views.
• Listening to others in the group and also expressing oneself in itself is very therapeutic and cathartic.

Below is the research link:

https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/group-therapy