4 Benefits of Group Therapy for Teens and Young Adults
It can feel like you’re alone when you are going through a rough patch with your mental health, but you don’t have to be. There are resources available that can help get you in a better headspace, including group therapy. Group therapy can be intimidating at first. Who wants to share their entire life with a group of strangers? However, it is shown that group therapy is beneficial for teens and young adults struggling with their mental health. Intensive outpatient therapy (IOP) often takes advantage of group therapy. IOP group therapy usually meets once or twice a week for a little over an hour. You can take comfort in knowing that what is said stays in the group. Below, we will dive into the top four benefits of group sessions for teens and young adults.
1. Support
When you are going through a rough patch, it may feel like no one else can understand what you are going through, but with group therapy, that isn’t the case. While their stories may not be exactly what you’re going through, they can have similar situations where they can provide support with what helped them overcome. Hearing that others have been through similar situations makes you feel like you’re not alone. Whether you are dealing with panic attacks, depression, or even a mood disorder, many people find relief knowing they aren’t alone.
2. A Mirror
Having a mirror is essential to your sense of being and how you present yourself to others. An example of this mirror is that if you express to the group you fought with your family or friend, they can see how you presented yourself and help you see perspectives you didn’t see before. Not only can they show you where others are coming from where you couldn’t see before, but they can also help take the blinders away from you. You may see yourself in a particular light that the group can show you differently. The things about yourself that blocked your progress before may be lifted within a few group sessions.
3. Moving You Forward
Group therapy can move you forward when you see others progress. It can make you want to make even more progress in your life. Hearing others’ trials and what they’ve had to overcome can inspire you to push forward in your journey. Group is a fantastic place to move forward where you can process feelings out loud and bounce ideas off of peers. You can also learn what your triggers are from talking with the group and find healthy coping skills. It is said in this therapy that once patients see what others have done, it pushes them harder to do the same in their own lives, making more progress than before.
4. Social Skills
Group therapy has many incredible benefits, but the best one is promoting social skills. It can be easy to isolate yourself when you are struggling with mental health, and it can be harder to make friends. Group therapy promotes healing, but it can also connect you with others in similar situations, making it easier to open up and make friends. When you feel alone, you can always depend on your group to help lift your spirit. Your group isn’t just a safe haven for mental health: The people in the group will soon become some of your best friends who will be there to support you. Your group eases the sensation of isolation and can help you reengage with people again.
The Help You Deserve
Group therapy is a wonderful way to get things off your chest and bounce ideas off your peers for a healthier life. You will learn many new things in the group like coping skills and how to communicate better with friends and family. Group treatment is an incredible way for both teens and young adults to share their feelings to tackle their mental health and promote mental wellness.
