Trauma-Informed Care • Support • Healing

The Benefits of Group Therapy

by | Aug 25, 2025 | Faith Transitions, Family & Parenting, Group Therapy

When people think of therapy, they often picture traditional one-on-one talk sessions. While individual therapy provides many benefits, research shows that group therapy can be just as effective, and sometimes even more so, depending on your treatment goals. This article will explain what group therapy is and how it might help you!

If you’re looking for more information about the groups and workshops we offer here at Rooted, be sure to check out our groups and events page here >

What is Group Therapy?

Group therapy is a treatment where providers facilitate therapeutic interventions to a group of people navigating similar challenges or experiences, rather than to an individual, a couple, or a family. The people in the group participate because they have some commonalities, whether that be a shared goal, a shared identity, or a shared experience, that the group is aiming to address, help or support. 

There are many types of groups, but they can be sorted into two main categories.

    • Psychoeducation Groups:
        • These groups provide education and knowledge about a specific diagnosis, challenge, experience, or topic. In these groups, you can expect to learn more about the topic and practice different skills to address or cope with it. There is an element of personal sharing and support being offered, but these groups tend to be focused more on learning and developing skills rather than deep processing.

    • Processing/Support Groups:
        • These groups provide a space to share experiences to help cope and support others regarding a specific topic. While there is usually some element of education or skill building included, the focus is primarily on creating community, gathering support, and supporting others. These groups rely heavily on group members sharing their experiences or feelings, and can be deeply healing.

Group dynamics can vary, and sometimes they will be open to new people joining every session, or other groups will be closed, meeting with the same people for the duration of the group. Each group size can vary from a small group of a few people to larger groups and workshops with multiple people.

At Rooted, we believe the most important component of group therapy is safety. We begin all our groups with rules and guidelines to create a safe space and protect confidentiality. With group therapy, while sharing can be a great way to learn, process, and support your peers, you get to choose what your participation looks like. Whether you choose to share or not, you can still have a positive experience, and we would to have you with us. 

What Can Group Therapy Help Treat?

In terms of specific diagnoses, research shows that groups are beneficial for treatment in:

    • Depression

    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders

    • PTSD

    • Substance Use Disorders

    • Schizophrenia

    • ADHD

    • OCD

    • Personality Disorders

    • Eating Disorders

    • Bipolar Disorder

Additionally, groups can be helpful for other challenges, life stages, or shared identities, interests, and experiences, including:

    • Grief

    • Trauma

    • Chronic Pain

    • Chronic Illness

    • Caregiving

    • Coping

    • Stress

    • Parenting, Infertility or Family Planning

    • Marriage & Relationships 

    • Social Skills

    • Faith Transitions

    • Aging

    • LGBTQ+ Experiences 

    • Immigration

These are just a few examples of topics you might find a group for.

How Can Group Therapy Benefit Me?

Group therapy can be very helpful on its own or in conjunction with individual therapy sessions.

Some of the main benefits include:

    • Support
        • Groups not only help you to find support in your community, but they also allow you to support others in return, which can be immensely healing and empowering.

    • Personal Discovery
        • Groups encourage you to explore yourself while being exposed to other ideas, perspectives, and knowledge.

    • Reduction in Isolation
        • Groups can help foster a sense of belonging and connection, which can create a sense of community to help address feelings of isolation.

    • Empathy and New Perspectives
        • Groups can help promote a sense of empathy for others and can help expand your perspectives. This can improve your healing and help you invite compassion and curiosity towards yourself and others.

    • Reduce Stigma & Shame
        • Group therapy emphasizes shared experiences and solidarity can be healing by reducing stigma and shame. Groups help normalize and validate experiences, helping people realize that they are not alone in their challenges or diagnoses.

    • Learn New Skills & Practice:
        • Not only do groups help you learn new skills, but they are a great place to practice them and get feedback from other people who are learning too. This helps you to effectively apply skills in your everyday life.

    • Cost & Access
        • Group therapy is equally effective as individual therapy for many diagnoses. Groups are often easier to access due to lower cost, availability of clinicians, and the times they are offered. This makes it easier for you to get the support you need.

What Groups Does Rooted Offer?

At Rooted, we generally offer groups and workshops in the Fall and in the Spring. While our offerings change from year to year, here are examples of what we offer.

Group offerings starting this fall:

    • Heal From Within: Building somatic skills to help with symptoms of trauma.

    • Chill Skills: Teen Workshops to help teens cope with symptoms of anxiety.

    • When Eternity is Not Forever: Divorce support group for LDS Women

    • Adults Affected by Childhood Sexual Abuse: Support group for adults impacted by childhood sexual abuse

    • Faith Transitions: A nature-based workshop for navigating shifts in belief, belonging, and identity.

    • Couples Communication Bootcamp: Learn to communicate with your partner to build connection instead of conflict.

Past group offerings:

    • Managing Burnout

    • Yoga for Trauma Survivors

    • Grief Processing

    • Healthy Boundaries

    • Beyond Trauma

    • Anxiety Management Group

For more information on our current and past group offerings, including dates, pricing, insurance coverage, and registration information, visit our website here or contact our team today! We would love to hear your thoughts, feedback, and ideas for groups you’d love to see offered in the future.

References:

American Psychological Association. (2019, October 31). Psychotherapy: Understanding group therapy. https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/group-therapy

Eske, J. (2020, December 10). What are the benefits of group therapy? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/group-therapy#efficacy

Malhotra, A., Mars, J. A., & Baker, J. (2024, October 29). Group therapy. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549812/

MSEd, K. C. (2024, January 12). What is group therapy? Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-group-therapy-2795760

Pappas, S. (2023, March 1). Group therapy is as effective as individual therapy, and more efficient. Here’s how to do it successfully. Monitor on Psychology, 54(2). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/03/continuing-education-group-therapy