Group therapy is an effective form of psychotherapy that involves one or more therapists working with a group of clients together to improve their daily functioning and coping skills. The thought of opening up about your struggles and experiences to a group of strangers might feel overwhelming or intimidating, but there are many advantages to group therapy. Keep in mind that, like individual therapy, group therapy is confidential.
How Does Group Therapy Help People Who Have Experienced Trauma?
Group therapy has been around for decades. Group therapy can traced back to the early 1900s when a group of medical patients was brought together to learn about general care of their diagnosis, but bonded on their shared emotional states and medical issues. Later on, group therapy would be practiced among psychiatric patients and inmates. In the 1980s when post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was recognized as a formal diagnosis, group therapy was recognized as an effective intervention for the treatment of trauma.
There is strong support that group therapy provides social support for people who have experienced trauma and helps to normalize trauma symptoms. Research has also shown that group therapy can be as effective for trauma survivors compared to individual therapy alone.
Benefits of Group Therapy for Trauma
Here are several benefits of being part of group therapy to cope with your trauma.
Provides Social Support
Participating in group therapy allows a person to gain support and validation from peers. Receiving support from people or knowing others who have experienced similar situations can help alleviate feeling alone or unsupported. A group setting also offers people who have experienced trauma events a space to build healthy and trusting relationships with other people.
Yields Motivation and Hope
Members of the group are usually in different stages of their journey. One member’s success can instill hope in others in the group. People can often feel motivated and encouraged when they witness someone’s journey, especially when it started from the same place they are in now.
Offers a Different Perspective
Group therapy allows you to understand and view the situation from different perspectives. Other members of the group can offer their perspectives and shed light on the various aspects of their healing.
Develops Coping Strategies
You can learn from your peers’ effective coping strategies, which you can apply to your daily life. By being in group therapy, you are opened up to new scenarios and situations you might not have considered before but other members can help you with.
Invokes Openness
People suffering from the symptoms of trauma might be scared to open up about their experiences. Group therapy provides you with a platform to speak up about your experience and feelings. It teaches you how to communicate and express your feelings in healthy ways.
Boosts Social Skills
When a person experiences a trauma event, they might withdraw from social settings and activities. In group therapy, being surrounded by other people might encourage you to socialize again if you choose. It provides a place to engage slowly, gradually, and at your own pace.
Presents a Safety Net
Over time, being part of a group becomes your safety net. Many people who have experienced trauma struggle to engage with the world around them, especially when people, places, and situations can be triggering. Group therapy can offer a supportive safety net that you can rely on or turn to when needing support.
At Onyx Counselling and Psychotherapy, we offer therapy to families, adults, teens, and groups. We work with people who experience depression, anxiety, trauma and PTSD, and several other problems. Our professional staff can support you on your healing journey. Get in touch to book an appointment today.
