Group therapy is often overlooked in favour of one-on-one treatment, but for many people, it can be an incredibly powerful therapeutic experience. Whether it’s supporting those with anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma or relational difficulties, group work offers unique benefits that individual therapy simply can’t replicate.
One of the most immediate advantages is the sense of connection. In a group, individuals discover they’re not alone. The shame that so often accompanies mental health struggles can begin to dissolve when a person hears someone else describe thoughts, feelings or behaviours that mirror their own. Group therapy provides a space where shared humanity is on full display. This can be profoundly normalising, especially for people who have felt isolated or stigmatised.
Another key benefit is perspective. While a therapist brings clinical expertise, group members bring lived experience. Hearing how others are navigating similar challenges can help individuals reframe their own patterns or consider alternative ways of coping. It’s not uncommon for a group member to say, “I hadn’t thought about it that way before,” after listening to someone else’s story. These moments of insight can feel both validating and transformative.
Group therapy also offers a rich space for practising new ways of relating. Many people who attend groups struggle with interpersonal difficulties—perhaps they feel misunderstood, find it hard to set boundaries, or frequently second-guess themselves in social situations. In the group setting, participants have an opportunity to experiment with expressing themselves differently, receive real-time feedback, and develop greater interpersonal awareness in a safe and contained environment.
The structure of the group itself contributes to growth. Knowing that others will show up each week and listen without judgment can create a powerful sense of accountability and containment. Over time, many participants begin to internalise this support, developing increased self-compassion and resilience outside the therapy room.
Therapists often find that the therapeutic alliance in group settings can be just as strong as in individual therapy—only it’s multiplied. It’s not just the therapist who’s holding the space, but the collective. That shared responsibility, when managed well, can foster a deeply respectful and cohesive environment.
Group therapy isn’t a replacement for individual work, but it can complement it beautifully. For some clients, it may even become the main avenue for healing. The relational depth, mutual support, and opportunity for insight offered by groups can catalyse change in powerful and enduring ways.
If you or someone you know is considering therapy, group work is well worth exploring. Sometimes the most meaningful breakthroughs don’t come from sitting alone across from a therapist—but from sitting in a circle, realising you’re not the only one. To see the different types of group therapy we have on as a clinic click through here.
Our highly trained psychologists can help. Please call our team on 9882-8874 to book in with one of our team members today. Alternatively fill in our contact form here to get in touch.
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