Are you looking to get into therapy but aren’t sure which style is the best for your personal needs?
The choice between group therapy vs individual therapy is one that’ll dictate your journey to recovery. It’s an important decision that takes some inner thinking to figure out.
To help you, we’ve collected the pros and cons of both styles of therapy so that you can make an informed decision that’ll put you on the right path. Keep reading to learn more.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is a place where several people come together to work through similar problems by sharing past experiences and emotions. There’s a bigger focus on supporting one another through shared issues and trying to overcome problems together. It’s a good way to test the waters if you’re uncertain that therapy is the right choice for you.
Pro: Join a Like-Minded Community
It’s a wonderful feeling to know that you’re not alone, and nothing solidifies this idea better than group therapy. When it comes to the benefits of group therapy vs individual therapy, this is one of the biggest benefits in group therapy’s favor.
You’ll have the opportunity to offer support and you’ll also receive a lot of support from everyone else in the group. It’s easy to overcome something when you have plenty of people backing your growth.
Pro: Learn New Perspectives
Despite a shared experience that led you all to therapy, no two stories are ever alike. Your story will be unique among all the others in the session with you. By listening to the other people in your group, you’ll see things in ways you never would have thought of before and you’ll help others in return.
It leads to in-depth discussions and opens the way to discovery for everyone in your group. This kind of conversation aids you in seeing certain issues in new ways that make recovery easier.
Con: Lack of Privacy
One of the biggest differences in the effectiveness of group therapy vs individual therapy is confidentiality. It’s much more difficult to keep your personal stories confidential when there are multiple other people in a session with you.
Group therapy leaders always instruct their groups to keep everything confidential. However, there’s a greater risk of the information getting out since the people in your group are normal citizens and not trained professionals. It’s never done in a malicious way, but sometimes slips happen and it’s something to understand before going into this type of therapy.
Con: Easy to Disengage
Do you often find yourself letting other people do the talking? This is something that is often a problem during group therapy.
If you’re a quiet person, you might not get as much out of a group therapy session as other people because you’ll disengage from the conversation. You’ll let the louder and more open people talk and you’ll end up saying nothing the entire time.
To get the most out of your therapy, you need to stay engaged in the discussion. Group therapy makes it easier to stay out of the conversation altogether because other people are willing to fill the silence.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy is when you sit in a private room and have a one-on-one session with a trained therapist. The therapist focuses only on you and what you need out of the session. It’s often a more expensive option when compared to group therapy.
Pro: Thorough Analysis
In the battle of individual vs group therapy, individual therapy wins in the analysis category. While a group therapist will do their best to give each person the kind of care they need, it’s a struggle to give every person a thorough analysis. The kinds of discussions and exercises you’ll do will be less detailed.
In individual therapy, you never have to worry that you’re not getting the kind of treatment you need. Your therapist is only working with you, so they’ll notice all the intricate details of your situation. From there, you’ll work together to pinpoint a path to recovery.
Pro: Exercises Catered to Your Needs
Much like the professionals found at The Hope House, individual therapists know how to push you to grow as you go through each session. This means every exercise and discussion builds itself around you and your needs. There are no interruptions as the therapist finds the best solution and path to recovery for your particular situation.
Group therapy exercises need to be more open to accommodate multiple people, but in an individual therapy session, you’re the only focus.
Con: Always in the Spotlight
Many people find it difficult to share their stories when they feel put on the spot. In individual therapy, you’re the star and there are no breaks until the session is over. Your therapist won’t be pushy, but they keep you engaged in the conversation the entire time.
If you’re a shy person who doesn’t like to be the center of attention, it’s possible that individual therapy isn’t the right choice for you.
Con: Less Moral Support
Individual therapy is a one-on-one deal, which means your support group is much smaller when compared to group therapy. You’ll always have the support of your therapist during every stage of your recovery, and your friends and family will always be by your side. However, that is where the extra support stops because there’s no one else in your sessions with you.
Anyone who desires a more community-based support system should turn to group therapy instead.
Take Your Time When Deciding Between Group Therapy vs Individual Therapy
It’s not easy to weigh the benefits of group therapy vs individual therapy. Each has plenty of things to offer a person in need and sometimes both sound like a good option.
If you’re still uncertain, try starting with one and see how it goes. Switch things up if it doesn’t feel like a good fit. Do what’s necessary for your therapy to be a success!
