Group therapy is a supportive space where people with similar concerns come together to learn, process, and grow. You get the benefit of professional guidance, plus the healing experience of realizing you’re not alone and practicing new ways of relating with others.

Instead of therapy happening one-on-one, the group becomes part of the healing process. People listen to each other, share experiences, practice new skills, and notice patterns in how they relate to others. A therapist guides the conversation, keeps it emotionally safe, and helps members connect what happens in the group to their real lives.

It can be used for things like anxiety, depression, grief, trauma recovery, ADHD, substance use, relationship struggles, social anxiety, parenting stress, life transitions, or building coping skills. Some groups are more educational and structured, like DBT skills or anxiety management. Others are more process-based, where people talk about what is happening emotionally and relationally in the moment.

One of the biggest benefits is that clients often realize, “I’m not the only one.” That can reduce shame pretty quickly. It also gives people a live space to practice vulnerability, boundaries, communication, trust, and receiving support.

Group therapy is usually not just a casual support group, though support is part of it. The therapist has clinical goals, screens members for fit, sets expectations around confidentiality, and helps the group stay productive rather than becoming advice-giving or venting only.