About Maria Gray, LMFT, NMP, Certified Group Psychotherapist:
I’ve been involved with the group therapy world for over 15 years, and I attend group therapy conferences every year both in California and nationally.
I started to focus on my group therapy training by joining the Group Psychotherapy Association of Los Angeles (GPALA), and participating in their events in Culver City. I also have served on the GPALA board for four years.
Support groups are often focused on a specific theme/issue like grief and loss, eating disorders, addictions. These groups can be led by therapists, but usually they are led by a member of the group.
There are many types of support groups. 12-Step groups like Al-Anon offer both in-person and online meetings in greater Los Angeles, and Alcoholics Anonymous has numerous daily meeting times available throughout Santa Monica and the Palisades. Narcotics Anonymous, Adult Children of Alcoholics, and Women for Sobriety are other types of support groups.
These groups are led by members as opposed to a trained professional.
When a support group is led by a peer instead of a professional, the group is not considered to be treatment, although there are still many benefits to attending this type of format.
According to the Mayo Clinic, support groups offer a chance for peer-to-peer emotional support, where you can both learn from others who are in a similar situation and share your own knowledge and experiences.
The aim of group therapy is to help you put your thoughts and feelings into words, and to notice your own personal patterns of interacting in relationships.
Group therapy sessions are led by a trained psychotherapist and you also get the benefit of peer-to-peer support.
The main distinction between group therapy and support groups is that since group therapy is led by a professional, each member of the group receives treatment.
For example, as a certified group therapist, I have professional training that allows me to observe members of the group and how they interact. This provides valuable feedback for both in-person sessions in my Santa Monica office, and even works online for my California-wide (and New York & Texas) groups.
The therapist can then share their observations and ask questions. This leads each member to learn more about themselves, including their triggers, their behaviors, and their patterns.
Various scientific studies have found that group therapy is equal to individual therapy in terms of treatment outcomes.
In fact, there are some situations where group can actually offer more benefits, especially due to the interpersonal and relationship building skills that participants have the opportunity to develop.
Learn more about
the benefits of group therapy
There are many different types of group therapy.
Process groups are centered on what members are experiencing in the present moment. This type of group therapy helps members unotice what they are experiencing in the moment, put their thoughts and feelings into words, and improve their relationships with others.
You’ll gain a sense of self-awareness, especially in how you react in social situations. This can support you in building healthier relationships with partners, colleagues, family, and friends.
Skills development groups offer members various coping skills that support their mental health and everyday life. Since individuals are learning, there is more of a leader focus in this type of group.
According to a publication by the Treatment Improvement Protocol, the focus may be on conflict resolution, relapse prevention, meditation, or other cognitive skills.
Psychoeducational groups are similar to skills development groups in that it’s focused on the therapist sharing knowledge with group members.
While skills can be learned in psychoeducational group therapy, the TIP notes that the goal here is to learn more about the how and why of certain mental health issues.
Process Groups vs Support Groups: Both are Beneficial
Now that you understand the difference between these three types of groups, you can decide which is right for you. It may even be that attending individual therapy along with group therapy helps you achieve your goals faster.
If you’re ready to take the next step in understanding your underlying patterns and make long-lasting changes in your life, get more information on my group therapy offerings for California residents here.