Therapy has proven beneficial for ages. Having someone to talk and listen to your issues is helpful. Further, having someone help you reflect on things from a different standpoint or bring new strategies to light is useful. But what about group therapy? Are there any benefits of group therapy that are worth acknowledging?
What is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is essentially a therapy session that typically involves 5-15 people and a therapist leader. It started when physician JH Pratt began conducting group sessions as a way to instruct patients on tuberculosis care. He found that the members benefited emotionally from the support and shared experiences. It became even more popular after World War II when veterans were treated together for PTSD.
What are the Benefits of Group Therapy?
There are many benefits of group therapy, which is not the same as saying it is better than individual therapy; they both have their place. Here are the main benefits of group therapy:
- Provides peer support
- Promotes social skills
- Allows for a sounding board
- Can help teach you about yourself
- Gives perspective
- Allows for immediate practice
- Builds solutions and boundaries
Group therapy can be seen as a sort of safety net. With group therapy, attendees will know that they are not alone in their struggles. In group therapy, you benefit from both giving and receiving support, which can be helpful to the process. There are many points of view and a chance to develop and use communication and socialization skills. It lends itself to helping you become more self-aware, accept criticism, and see a model of appropriate behaviors from your peers. It’s also typically less expensive.
How Can Group Therapy Specifically Help with Detox?
Not all detox centers believe group therapy is beneficial. Instead, they believe it to be a distraction, but others feel the benefits of group therapy are worth it for detox patients. Actually, the fact that it can be a distraction can help some detox patients because it gets their mind off the process. One added benefit includes being able to interact with people who have been down the road that lies before you so that you see it’s possible.
Sharing information and experiences helps boost confidence and self-esteem and can reduce the stress, guilt, and pain that comes with substance abuse. Because group therapy helps you learn from others, you’ll get the benefit of learning techniques and strategies for avoiding engaging in destructive behaviors. Those in detox and group therapy will learn how to refrain from seeking out drugs and replace that habit with new, healthier behaviors.
There’s also the structure that group therapy provides, which those dealing with addiction benefit from significantly. After the detox process comes more learning and understanding yourself and how to make forward progress, and using the group therapy setting can jumpstart those goals. To make the most out of group therapy during detox, your therapist will most likely place you in the group best suited to your stage in the process.
Where to Seek Help
You can try to do it on your own, but everyone needs help once in a while. Going through group therapy, whether while in a detox program or not, has proven beneficial in many ways. If you’re struggling with substance abuse or addiction and think you’re ready to get on the path to recovery, some places can help. Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston offers group counseling sessions during the detox period, as we see the benefits of group therapy for those looking to overcome addiction. Reach out to them at 866.516.8356 today to begin your journey to freedom.
