Group Therapy

Group therapy can help patients process their emotions, share their experiences, and express their thoughts and feelings. That’s why it’s a technique that’s often part of detox therapy programs offered by addiction treatment providers.

However, not every patient is ready to participate in and learn from group therapy. They need to be willing to share, which can be a problem if they also have social anxiety or are just shy and uncomfortable around strangers. If a patient can’t function normally or is going through a mental crisis – such as dealing with suicidal thoughts – individual therapy could be more fruitful than group therapy. A patient can also not fit into a group easily – in cases like this, the therapist leading the group therapy should be notified, and the patient moved to another group.

If you or someone you love is looking for a group therapy program in Florida, contact United Recovery Project’s luxury detox center online or call 833.525.0166 to find out more about our varied programs.

What Is Group Therapy?

A group therapy program can be used as a standalone form of therapy or as part of a treatment plan that may also include medication and other types of therapy. Many issues growing out of substance use disorder can be addressed with group therapy, as well as deep-seated issues that contribute to addiction, including:

• Addiction
• Anger
• Chronic pain
• Depression
• Grief

Most people think that group therapy is the same as a support group. While a medical professional does not typically lead the latter, group therapy is always led by a licensed therapist. This difference makes a huge difference in addiction treatment. A support group can be useful as part of a rehab aftercare program, but group therapy is needed as part of a substance abuse treatment program.

Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy. Unlike individual therapy, group therapy has several patients meet regularly with the same therapist. Many patients will initially feel intimidated by the idea of sharing their experiences with strangers, but research shows that this therapeutic setting is both highly effective and very rewarding. Learning how to deal with stressors, triggers, and cravings is one of the benefits of group therapy.

Developing a social support network that can help make life after treatment easier can be another benefit – depending on whether or not a patient gets along with other participants of the group therapy program. Within a group, patients can more easily build bonds with their peers. They know that everyone around them has a real and deep understanding of what they’re going through. For many, these bonds enhance their recovery.

What To Expect From A Group Therapy Program

During group therapy, patients will benefit from feedback from the therapist leading the session and the other participants of the program. The supportive environment of a group therapy program helps patients be more open to strangers sooner than they would do so otherwise. While sharing with strangers can initially feel uncomfortable, many patients eventually feel like it gives them purpose and like their experience is something worth sharing.

These programs can work with a small group of fewer than five participants or bigger groups of up to 15 participants. Meetings are often once or twice a week, and sessions are typically about an hour long. As each patient progresses through the substance abuse detox program, they become a role model for other group members.

Learn More About United Recovery Project’s Detox Center

If you or someone you love is looking for a detox therapy program that includes group therapy, contact the detox center at United Recovery Project online or call 833.525.0166 to find out more about the varied programs we offer in Florida.