Group and Family Therapy

Definition of Group and Family Therapy

Both group therapy and family therapy are forms of talk therapies, also known as psychotherapy. Both therapies are great tools in helping people cope with a variety of illnesses and issues like anxiety, addiction, stress, grief, postpartum concerns, communication problems, and so much more.

Group therapy is when multiple patients with the same or similar disorders or struggles attend group therapy sessions led by a psychologist or mental health professional. Group therapy participants are usually strangers who meet together to share stories and learn new techniques or problem-solving skills. These therapy sessions can be held in community centers, mental health clinics, hospitals, or churches.

Group therapy session, pexels.com

Family therapy is when members of a family attend therapy sessions together with a psychologist or mental health professional to improve an issue that has been ongoing in the family. Families who seek the help of a therapist may have communication concerns, disagreements, or unique struggles that prevent them from being able to cope well. Some family therapy sessions are held in homes, while others are held at mental health facilities or private offices.

Group or family therapy can be used in the treatment of:

• Financial concerns or stress

• Addiction

• Anxiety

• Divorce

• Postpartum Depression or adjustment

• Navigating parenthood

• PTSD

• Depression

• Stress

• Grief and loss

• Eating disorders

• Relationship problems

Group and Family Therapy Benefits

Attending group therapy and family therapy can be beneficial for a number of reasons. Some people may even choose to do both! Since both therapies involve interaction with multiple people, many new solutions are presented that can assist with decision-making. By sharing and hearing the experiences of others, group members may feel less alone and be able to enhance their communication and social skills.

Group Therapy Benefits

Group therapy provides ongoing support from others going through similar experiences. Honest communication is encouraged in group therapy, and members may feel more comfortable being honest with groups of strangers than with people they already know. Even if someone does not feel completely comfortable in group therapy, the ability to hear about the experiences of others that connect to personal struggles can be beneficial. Group therapy is also usually cheaper than other forms of therapy.

Family Therapy Benefits

Family therapy is designed to assist family members with improving communication skills and establishing healthy boundaries with each other. Family therapy is a safe space for self-expression, which can help create an overall healthier family dynamic. Family therapists may teach and model effective communication skills, help the family problem-solve, and provide support in building habits that can positively influence the family. Family therapy is not limited to couples or parents with and their children. Grandparents raising children, single parents, adoptive parents, foster families, extended families, and other non-traditional family networks can attend therapy sessions together.

Examples for Group and Family Therapy

Group and Family Therapy sessions can be held in many different places and sometimes even in a family member's home. Some types of group and family therapies include:

• Self-Help Groups

  • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), grief groups, divorce groups, etc.

• Cognitive-behavioral groups

  • Clients learn new skills and ways of coping with their illness or difficulty. Mostly used for mental health purposes.

• Psychoeducational groups

  • Provide a heavy focus on problem-solving and taking control of struggles. Often combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques.

• Interpersonal groups

  • These groups can last around 2 to 3 months based on how the group progresses. These groups focus on uncovering and processing the root causes of negative feelings. Mostly used for complex interpersonal issues, past trauma, current mental illness, or other more intense therapy needs.

• Systemic Family Therapy

  • Seeks to enhance communication skills and problem-solving skills within the family and develop and improve the relationships in the family.

• Strategic Family Therapy

  • Focuses heavily on children under 18 years old. Commonly used in the treatment of addiction, bullying, mental health disorders, or concerning behaviors that negatively impact a child's or adolescent's health.

• Structural Family Therapy

  • Offers structured guidelines for the family to learn and follow. Rules, procedures, and boundaries are discussed and established with parents and children to create new family routines.

• Relationship counseling/therapy

  • Focuses on enhancing the relationship between married couples, divorced or separated individuals, child-parent relationships, adoptive or foster families, premarital couples, etc.

Groups and families, pixabay.com

Similarities and Differences between Family Therapy and Group Therapy

Group and family therapy are quite similar in a lot of ways but do have some important differences.

Similarities

• Both group and family therapies limit the number of people in a group (usually less than 20 people).

• Both forms of therapy can address similar issues or struggles.

• In some cases, both therapies can be beneficial.

• Both group and family therapies are effective at treating a wide range of disorders.

Someone who struggles with addiction might choose to attend a self-help group. In other cases, a family struggling with a family member's addiction may seek family therapy to find healthy ways to cope. Different types of therapy serve different purposes and produce different results.

Differences

• The biggest difference is that group therapy is often with strangers, while family therapy is with relatives.

• Family therapy is usually conducted from a systems approach or perspective, but group therapy is conducted from many different perspectives.

• The goals of group therapy and family therapy are usually very different.

• Family therapy can be more intense than group therapy, depending on the nature of both.

Exposure to new people might be uncomfortable at first for someone seeking group therapy, but they can benefit from different perspectives outside of their family relationships. Family therapy might be more comfortable for some individuals but will lack the diversity of most group settings. Group therapy offers the opportunity to learn from multiple people and make new connections, while family therapy gives the opportunity to learn from the therapist and strengthen family connections.

Different types of families, pixabay.com

Group and Family Therapy in Psychology

Group and family therapy can enhance the well-being and mental health of the clients. These therapies help clients uncover solutions to problems and implement those solutions. Group and family therapy not only address mental health but also biological, social, and emotional wellbeing. Group and family therapy clients often learn techniques and skills to sharpen their decision-making skills, coping skills, and relational skills.