Individual vs Group Therapy

People seeking a group therapy program in New Hampshire often ask us about the differences between individual and group therapy. They want to know which is the better choice. There is no easy answer to this question where individual vs group therapy is concerned. Each has its own merits and disadvantages. There are some people who do well in one setting but not the other. Normally, a combination of the two can be the optimal option. Let’s take a look at the differences.

Individual Therapy

The individual therapy program in New Hampshire consists of a therapist and client in a room. The two spent an average of an hour talking about the things the client needs to work on in order to reach a place in life where they are mentally healthy. Over time, the two work on important issues that are causing pain or upset. Some of the advantages of individual therapy include:

• A strong sense of confidentiality — information is only given between client and therapist and the therapist is bound by law and ethics
• One-on-one attention — focus is entirely on the individual
• More intense treatment level — going deeper into issues can often be more beneficial
• Timeframe is often client-led — it can take one session or several to work through things and the sessions are not bound by having to move forward at a set pace
• Appointment times are flexible — therapists can often work appointments around the client’s schedule

This type of therapy works well with individuals who need to concentrate on one particular issue that can take a long time to work through. The trust that develops over time allows the individual to open up in a way they may not do with a group of people.

Group Therapy

Group therapy consists of one or two facilitators and a group of individuals who are seeking answers or solutions. The group can be anywhere between 3 and 20 people, although it is ideal to keep the number under ten. Often, everyone in the group is dealing with the same type of problems, such as addiction or depression. Group therapy has many advantages such as:

• Feeling of not being alone — knowing that others are experiencing the same thing often helps
• You both get and give support — being able to help others is often a great path to healing your own issues
• Development of socialization and communication skills — both these skills may be lacking because of the experienced issues
• Experience many viewpoints — gaining insight from different sides can help make a breakthrough easier
• Strong relationships form — often group members form lifelong friendships

Individual vs Group Therapy

In the individual vs group therapy debate, the only correct answer to which is best is an individual matter. Most people can do either although there is a small group of individuals for which group therapy may not be a great fit. This group includes those who are extremely shy, antisocial, impulsive, or actively psychotic.  Group therapy is also not suggested for individuals who may not be serious about getting well as they can find it easier to “hide” and not participate fully. Find the therapy right for you at our mental health treatment center in New Hampshire.

Real People. Real Recovery.

Here at Green Mountain Recovery, we treat people, not addictions. Our holistic approach to recovery involves both group and individual therapies, as well as programs to help heal both the body and the mind. Our New Hampshire facility is in a natural setting to allow peace and reflection. If you are seeking a life free of addiction, contact us today to start on the road to recovery. Call 866.913.7957 to help yourself or a loved one get their life back.