In the field of mental health treatment, group therapy is an essential tool for patients of all ages, including children, adolescents, and adults alike. Erford (2018) gathered a large body of literature that indicates the beneficial effects of group therapy over individual treatment, especially for people with mood disorders including bipolar disorder and despair. Through self-report, relaxation, and psychoeducational strategies, the cognitive behavioural group therapy intervention is carried out. The goal of offering these treatments is to assist participants in comprehending the issues they encountered, reorganizing their negative ideas, increasing their adaptability, and releasing the physical tension brought on by their fear of public speaking (Puspitasari & Rohmah, n.d.). The benefits of group therapy are tackled in detail in the paper, with a focus on how patients can gain unique coping strategies, friendships, and a thorough grasp of mental health issues through group counselling.
When compared to individual treatment, group counselling offers access to a larger network of support. Erford (2018) emphasizes the importance of interpersonal support in the setting of a group dynamic and how individuals with mood disorders can find solace and understanding from their peers. In addition to receiving treatment from the counsellor, group members develop close bonds with others who share their experiences, which lessens the isolation that most individuals who cope with mental health difficulties endure.
Group therapy possesses an important advantage because it assists individuals in constructing effective coping techniques, especially for people who struggle with mood disorders. Group treatment, according to Erford (2018), promotes learning by providing individuals an opportunity to talk about their experiences and coping mechanisms. While the focus of individual treatment is only on the client and therapist, group therapy introduces participants to a wide range of coping mechanisms adopted by peers. Depending on the kind of group being led and the patient demographic being treated, it is critical for the group therapist to establish reasonable goals for the group undergoing therapy (Malat et al., 2023). This exposure improves people’s communal resiliency, thereby improving their ability to deal with an assortment of situations.
Additionally, group counselling facilitates a deeper understanding of the origins and developments of mental health illnesses among participants. The nature and evolution of mood disorders are sometimes difficult for those who suffer from them to grasp, as Erford (2018) emphasizes. Participants in group sessions can exchange ideas and perspectives, which helps them understand their problems more fully. Besides reducing stigma, this shared knowledge provides people with the knowledge they need to make wise decisions regarding their mental health.
In the framework of group counselling, Tartakovsky (2018) emphasizes the value of peer input. Group dynamics allow participants to contribute their opinions and ideas, as opposed to individual sessions when the counsellor acts as the major source of feedback. Peer feedback offers constructive criticism and a variety of opinions in a safe and encouraging setting, which may be a potent driver for personal development. This cooperative strategy strengthens the relationships within the group by encouraging a feeling of accountability and shared liability for each member’s well-being.
The efficacy and cost-effectiveness of group counselling is an additional benefit. Counsellors can deal with numerous clients at once in group sessions. Online or internet-based group counselling is an option in addition to in-person counselling, which lowers the cost to participants (Fuadina et al., 2023). Group counselling is particularly time-efficient because it allows therapists to address difficulties and themes that the group as a whole faces together. This collaborative strategy makes the most use of time and money, increasing the availability of mental health services for a wider group of people.
Summarily, there are numerous advantages to group counselling, including improved support networks, learning coping mechanisms, a thorough grasp of mental health issues, peer evaluation, and time and money savings. The group dynamic offers distinct therapeutic components that address the various requirements of members and enhance individual counselling. The importance of group therapy in promoting a feeling of belonging, resiliency, and empowerment among people dealing with a range of mental health issues is growing as mental health awareness does.
References
Fuadina, N., Sutoyo, A., & Murtadho, A. (2023). The Effectiveness of Face-to-Face and Internet-Based Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Group Counseling to Enhance Subjective Well-Being. Jurnal Bimbingan Konseling, 12(3), 183–188. https://doi.org/10.15294/jubk.v12i3.75050
Malat, J., Eng, S., & Teck, A. (2023). Group Psychotherapy. 1–36. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42825-9_37-1
Puspitasari, S., & Rohmah, F. (n.d.). Cognitive Behavioral Group Counseling to Reduce Public Speaking Anxiety in College Students. In International Journal of Latest Research in Humanities and Social Science. http://www.ijlrhss.com/paper/volume-4-issue-2/8-HSS-933.pdf
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