Group Therapy
in Orange County

Residential Mental Health Treatment

You Are Not Alone!

Group therapy in Orange County can be an extremely effective addition to any mental health treatment plan. It provides clients with a warm and safe space to open up. While also sharing and connecting with others who are dealing with similar issues.

What is Group Therapy?

Group therapy is a type of psychotherapy, involving one or more professional therapists. These therapists work with a group of clients at one time. An effective program can be used to help treat numerous conditions, including:

Depression
Anxiety
Emotional trauma
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

It is not limited to these conditions and clients can find group therapy sessions in various locations, such as:

Mental health clinics
Private Therapeutic practices
Community centers
Hospitals

This type of therapy is commonly combined with a comprehensive or multidisciplinary treatment plan. These treatment plans also involve individual therapy but sometimes are used alone.

Generally, group therapy sessions meet for 90 minutes to a couple of hours once or twice a week. How much clients open up and talk about themselves varies by each person. However, clients do experience a sense of security knowing that what’s shared in the group is confidential.

Types of Group Therapy

Different types of group therapy can be applied based on the needs of the client and preferences of the therapist. The most common group therapy types include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

These groups focus on figuring out and changing distorted or inaccurate behaviors, thinking patterns, and emotional responses.

Psychoeducational Groups

Psychoeducational groups are frequently based on CBT principles and focus on educating clients about their conditions and methods of coping.

Support Groups

Support groups offer numerous benefits to clients with different types of mental health disorders as well as their loved ones.

Interpersonal Groups

These groups focus on an individual’s social interactions and interpersonal relationships. Including the amount of support they receive from other people and the effect these relationships have on their mental health.

Skills Development Groups

These groups work on improving social skills in individuals with developmental disabilities or mental conditions.

Your Recovery Starts Here

Contact our specialists to find how we can help treat your needs.

Benefits of Group Therapy

The thought of being a part of a group therapy program in California and actually participating may seem intimidating at first. After all, clients are probably not that keen, at first, to share their personal situations and stories with strangers.

Group therapy where one or more professional therapists are leading a group of five to 15 clients, can be highly beneficial. Clients are frequently surprised by their experience with it and how rewarding it is.

There are several benefits of group therapy, including:

1. Groups Offer Support

Probably one of the biggest benefits that clients experience with group therapy is realizing they’re not alone.

Clients may start to realize that they’re surrounded by individuals with similar issues. This is frequently a huge relief to the clients. Hearing from other individuals with similar problems help them see they’re not alone in dealing with challenges, whether they’re struggling with:

Depression
Panic attacks
Another mental health problem

Clients often experience a true sense of relief.

2. Groups Improve Social Skills

Groups not only assist with easing the sense of isolation clients often feel when dealing with a mental health condition. They also provide clients with an opportunity to work on how they engage with others.

When they participate in group therapy, it shows them that they can engage and socialize with others.

3. Groups Help Clients Grow

The ultimate goal of group therapy in Orange County is to help the client grow. When they can learn about themselves and other people, it’s an ideal way for them to:

Learn how to set healthy boundaries in relationships
Overcome fears
Home their communication skills

Group therapy can help you achieve growth.

4. Groups Offer More than Support

While members of group therapy provide an invaluable support system. And a formal group therapy program in California provides benefits way beyond informal support and self-help groups. Group therapy is often run by one or more skilled therapists with specialized training. These therapists teach members of the group different techniques and strategies to manage their specific mental health issues.

For instance, if a client is in group therapy for depression, the therapist will teach methods to help manage their symptoms. This expert guidance helps make clients’ group therapy experience much more rewarding.

Conditions that Group Therapy Can Help With

Anybody can sign up for and attend group therapy sessions. This type of therapy can be particularly helpful for individuals with limited mental healthcare access. Such as individuals who live in low-income or rural areas where healthcare clinics are scarce or understaffed.

One of group therapy’s goals is to bring individuals together who share similar problems and experiences.

Group therapy typically focuses on one specific mental health issue, such as depression or social anxiety. Other examples of mental health issues that group therapy may focus on include:

Panic disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder
Phobias
Substance use disorder
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

What to Expect

Sessions can vary. However, the basic setup is typically a small group of clients who meet weekly. During the group therapy session clients talk about their problems and feelings while offering mutual support.

However, unlike in self-help groups, a professional and trained therapist guides the sessions. They’ll act as the moderator and will often recommend a topic or theme for the group’s discussion. In some cases, they’ll allow the members of the group to choose the session’s topic.

Members of the group attempt to change their old behaviors in favor of newer, more productive behaviors. Generally, there’s a lot of discussion and interaction among the group members. They may also participate in certain activities, such as working on certain anxieties and fears.

Number of People in a Session

Sessions typically consist of six to 12 clients, who share inside the group. Expert professionals lead the sessions, frequently a therapist and co-therapist. The session’s duration can differ depending on the type of session and the day. However, they can last more than a couple of hours, typically with a mid-point break.

The number and frequency of sessions in a tailored treatment program will depend on a client’s personal requirements and needs. Professionals will also take their specific resn for therapy into consideration. It is a customized approach like this that allows group therapy to be highly effective.

Many individuals find it helpful to participate in both individual psychotherapy and group therapy. Participating in both forms of therapy can help enhance their chances of making lasting, valuable change. If a client has already been participating in individual psychotherapy but their progress is beginning to stall, group therapy might help.

Group Therapy in Orange County