Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which a small number of people meet regularly with one or more trained therapists to work on their concerns together, using the group itself as part of the method. It is for seekers who want structured emotional support, new skills, or a room where others understand what they are going through. This guide explains how group therapy works, where it comes from, what research has found and how to find a qualified practitioner.
What group therapy is and how it works
In group therapy, a trained therapist, often called the facilitator, brings together several people who meet at a set time, usually weekly. Sessions may follow a plan, such as a skills curriculum, or unfold more freely as members talk about what is on their minds. The therapist sets ground rules, keeps the space safe, guides the conversation and makes sure everyone has room to take part.
Groups come in several kinds. Skills-based groups, such as cognitive behavioral groups, teach specific tools and practice them together. Process groups focus on how members relate to one another and what that reveals about patterns in their lives. Psychoeducational groups explain a topic, such as coping with a health condition, and add discussion. Some groups are closed, meaning the same members start and finish together, while others are open and welcome newcomers along the way.
Practitioners describe several ways a group may help: seeing that you are not alone, hearing how others cope, receiving feedback, and practicing new ways of speaking up or setting limits with real people in the room. These are widely used explanations from the field, and researchers continue to study which of them matter most. Group therapy is also different from a peer-led support group, which is built around mutual support rather than professional psychotherapy.
Where group therapy comes from
People have long gathered to support one another, and that history is part of the background of the field. The practice of using group meetings as a deliberate therapeutic method is usually traced to the early twentieth century, when a Boston physician, Joseph Pratt, brought people with tuberculosis together for instruction and encouragement.
Group methods grew substantially in the middle of the twentieth century, as mental health services expanded and clinicians looked for ways to reach more people than one-to-one therapy allowed. Psychiatrist Irvin Yalom's textbook on group psychotherapy, first published in 1970, became a standard reference.
Today group therapy is offered in clinics, hospitals, schools, community programs and online, and many groups are built around a particular approach, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.
What people use group therapy for
People explore group therapy for a wide range of reasons. Common ones include persistent worry, social anxiety, low mood, grief, and coping after a frightening or traumatic experience. Others look for help with relationships, major life changes, parenting, substance use, or adjusting to a long-term health condition.
Some people come because they feel isolated and want to be around others who understand. Others choose a group because it often costs less per session than one-to-one therapy, though fees vary by region and practitioner. A group can also be a good place to practice skills, such as speaking up in a conversation, in a setting that is safer than everyday life.
These are reasons people explore the practice, not promises of any outcome. You can browse the conditions people explore and symptoms hubs to see how group therapy sits alongside other approaches for the same concerns.
What the research says
Group therapy is well studied, with substantial research support that is strongest for anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress. A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis in Psychotherapy Research pooled 57 studies with 3,656 participants. It found that group psychotherapy reduced anxiety symptoms more than no treatment (effect size 0.92) and more than control treatments offering only general supportive factors (0.29). Differences from individual psychotherapy and from medication were not significant, though only seven and six comparisons were available.
A 2016 meta-analysis of 36 randomized trials with 2,171 adults with social anxiety disorder found medium to large effects against waitlist controls (0.84 for specific symptoms), mostly for cognitive behavioral group therapy. A 2017 meta-analysis of 20 trials with 2,244 people found group psychotherapy reduced post-traumatic stress symptoms compared with no treatment (0.70) and did not differ significantly from other active treatments.
On group versus individual formats, a 2016 meta-analysis of 67 studies that compared both found equivalence in the 46 using identical treatments, with no differences in dropout or remission. Caveats apply. Much of the evidence is for cognitive behavioral groups, direct comparisons with individual therapy and medication are fewer, and researcher allegiance to one format can affect results.
Safety and who should check first
Group therapy led by a trained professional is a widely used form of care, but it is not right for everyone at every moment. Hearing other members describe painful experiences can be hard, and it is normal to feel more emotional at the start. If you feel overwhelmed, tell your therapist so they can help you adjust how you take part.
Confidentiality works differently in a group. The therapist is bound by professional ethics, but other members are asked, not legally required, to keep what they hear private. Ask how the group handles this. Some groups begin with a one-to-one screening conversation to check that the group suits you.
If you are in crisis, having thoughts of harming yourself, or dealing with a serious or unstable condition, speak with a clinician before joining a group. In the United States you can call or text 988 at any time.
Fitting it alongside everyday and conventional care
Group therapy is itself a recognized form of psychotherapy, and in many settings it sits within conventional mental health care. For most people it works alongside other support rather than in place of it. Some join a group while also seeing an individual therapist, and others combine it with medication prescribed by their doctor.
Tell your doctor or prescriber that you are starting a group, and let your therapist know about other care you receive so the work fits together. Everyday habits can support the process too: steady sleep, regular movement and time with people you trust. Approaches such as mindfulness and similar practices may complement group work for some people, though they are not a substitute for it.
Finding a group therapy practitioner
Look for a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist, counselor, social worker or psychiatrist, with training in leading groups. Ask what approach the group uses, how many people take part, whether it is open or closed, how screening works, and how confidentiality is handled. You can browse practitioners in the Gyfts directory or read the group therapy modality page. Cost varies by region and practitioner, so ask about fees up front.
