Some of us may find it challenging to share our issues with other people. However, group therapy provides an outlet for us to share in a setting where there is no judgment.

Groups can support acceptance, accountability, and social skills. If we are consistent in participating in group therapy, the support we receive can improve our life choices, establish trust, and also help maintain abstinence.

Important things to gain from being a part of group therapy are the realization that others relate with us through similar situations and a sense of belonging. These two things alone can improve our well-being overall.

What Is Group Therapy?

Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy where people meet in a group to discuss their problems together, with a supervising therapist present. Knowing what group therapy is and what it can offer can benefit your recovery.

However, making the step to join a group can be nerve-racking. Our perspective of sitting with other people to share our stories can be challenging. Group therapy involves multiple people who are seeking ways to overcome negative feelings or even negative experiences they had. This can help us find others who relate and make us feel less alone in our journey.

Why Am I Frightened to Speak in Front of People?

Often, if we are not social butterflies, we are considered shy. However, this is not always the case. There are many different reasons why we may freeze up when it comes to talking in front of others. Some of these reasons may include the following:

• Anxiety
• Stage fright
• Fear of being judged

When we are invited to join group conversations, our first feeling can be resistance. We may not want to participate in sharing our stories and our pain with strangers. However, the positive thing about being a part of group conversations is that it will challenge you to set aside negative thoughts and fears of public speaking.

Group Therapy Can Build Your Confidence in Speaking

We may be aware that we struggle with social anxiety based on the fact that we have trouble interacting with others. This alone can affect our self-confidence. We may sometimes feel that we are the only ones experiencing this feeling. However, we are not alone.

When we decide to participate in group therapy, we will discover that many others feel the exact same ways we do when it comes to participating in groups. Gathering together with others in a group setting can help us create a support system. Group therapy helps develop self-confidence and can improve our social skills.

Group Therapy Is Not All Talk

Going to group therapy is not just an opportunity to engage in sharing your story verbally. It gives everyone a chance to bond with others through fun, laughter, and sometimes tears.

Activities in group therapy can vary depending on which topic the group is discussing. Hands-on activities could include cooking food, meditation, writing a letter to someone, animals, music, and drawing, amongst other things. These therapeutic activities are a great way to open up and express feelings non-verbally. Engaging in the activities available through group therapy is beneficial for your health and well-being.

The Importance of Engaging in Group Therapy

Engaging in group therapy can help with anxiety, depression, and other conditions. When we sit in the midst of others who have had similar experiences as we have, we suddenly realize that we are not alone.

Interacting with others and being a part of discussions that are constructive help us show support for one another. Being a sounding board for others when sharing is effective for all members of the group. We can entertain each other’s feelings and share ideas when having positive interactions in a group setting. Each session we attend will build more self-confidence.

How Long Should You Attend Group Therapy?

The length of time we engage in group therapy sessions depends on what we are struggling with, and the length of our treatment stay. Some people may only attend group therapy sessions during a residential stay in treatment. However, others may choose to attend group therapy beyond residential treatment in outpatient programs.

Some of us may need more time in group therapy than others. We are responsible for fully participating and gaining all the necessary tools to recover. When we have made significant progress in group therapy, it may be time to end our sessions. Our goal is to become independent in how we deal with our issues.

If you feel you need group therapy beyond a treatment stay, many different agencies offer group therapy and cover various concerns. Group sessions can be found for substance use disorders (SUDs), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorders, grief, loss, and depression. Whatever issue you are dealing with, there is a group for you.