Ending Isolation and Creating Belonging
The Power of Peer Connection in Group Therapy
At Newport, teens and young adults build powerful bonds that last long after treatment ends. Group therapy fosters connection and community with others who understand their mental health struggles.
What Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a powerful, evidence-based approach that helps young people understand that they are not alone. By addressing issues like trauma and depression in a group setting, adolescents and young adults overcome the sense of isolation that often accompanies mental health conditions.
Unlike support groups, group therapy activities are always facilitated by a mental health professional, and can take place in a residential or outpatient setting. They are typically limited to a small number of participants, who agree to maintain confidentiality. One of the most important group therapy benefits is the trust that is created among participants.
The History of Group Therapy
The two words together (group and therapy) certainly sound self-explanatory—but what is group therapy exactly and how does it work? Joseph Hersey Pratt, known as the father of group therapy, pioneered the use of this modality in the early 20th century. Pratt brought tuberculosis patients together to discuss their common problems, and observed the positive emotional effects they experienced.
Over the ensuing decades, group therapy techniques were used with other specific populations, including prison inmates, children, people with alcohol use disorder, and military veterans. Today, group therapy is used to treat trauma and many other mental health and co-occurring disorders.
Types of Group Therapy
The most common group therapy models are psychoeducational, in which the therapist offers information to help participants better understand and cope with their mental health disorder; and process-oriented, in which the therapist facilitates group discussion and sharing among participants.
Within these two categories, a variety of different group therapy techniques may be used, including:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: CBT participants shift distorted thinking patterns and replace them with healthier responses and behaviors.
- Interpersonal Groups: Clients explore relationships and social interactions.
- Skill Development: Participants learn practical skills for coping with the triggers and symptoms of their mental health conditions.
Group Therapy Benefits
Some of the most significant group therapy benefits for emerging adults include:
Young people with mental health conditions often feel shame and cut themselves off from peers because they don’t believe anyone else can understand what they’re going through. Group therapy shows them that others are facing the same issues and emotions, and they are not alone.
Participants gain healthy coping tools and have the opportunity to practice self-regulation, communication, and listening skills within the group therapy environment.
Teens and young adults develop greater self-worth as they begin to see themselves as capable of encouraging and providing meaningful support to others.
In group therapy sessions, participants learn how forge healthy, authentic connections with peers.
Witnessing how other group participants have faced similar struggles and are now on the healing path gives young people a sense of hope and the feeling that they, too, can overcome their challenges.
What to Expect in a Group Therapy Session
Teen and young adult group therapy can focus on a wide range of issues—from substance use and compulsive behaviors to loneliness and relationship issues. Sometimes group therapy sessions focus on identifying problematic behaviors or practicing coping or communication skills.
Group therapy benefits include the opportunity to openly share your personal experiences, and in turn to offer nonjudgmental attention and caring to others in need of support.
Depending on the group and setting, group therapy sessions might start with each participant introducing themselves and sharing a bit of their story. Our teen and young adult clients might also share the challenges they have faced or the goals they have reached since the last time the group met. Group therapy techniques may include role-playing difficult or triggering conversations with someone else in the group, guided by the group therapist.
Results-Driven Care
See how young people in our care experienced 50 percent reductions in depression and suicidal thoughts—and find out why 99 percent of professionals would refer to Newport again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy where a small group of individuals meets regularly to discuss their feelings, experiences, and challenges under the guidance of a trained therapist. It works by providing a supportive environment where participants can share their thoughts and learn from one another. The group dynamic fosters a sense of community and belonging, which can enhance the therapeutic process.
Participants can relate to others facing similar challenges, reducing feelings of isolation. Additionally, hearing different viewpoints can provide new insights and coping strategies.
Group therapy can be beneficial for a wide range of individuals, including those dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, and relationship issues. It is particularly effective for those who may feel isolated in their struggles or who benefit from the shared experiences of others.
Peer Connection and Support at Newport
If you have a teen or young adult child who is struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health conditions, our residential and outpatient programs offer a safe space to heal. Group therapy is part of each client’s individualized treatment plan. Contact our team for a free mental health assessment or to learn more about making a referral to our teen and young adult programs.
