Individuals who are dealing with different mental health conditions often experience loneliness, withdrawal, and self-isolation. Most of the time, they prefer to keep their feelings to themselves to avoid invalidation and judgement. Hence, the sense of belonging and communal support that Group Therapy can offer are extremely beneficial for them.

What is Group Therapy?

Group Therapy is an intervention delivered in a group setting where several people are treated together at the same time instead of one-by-one. This group environment offers a support network, which provides many individuals with an opportunity to meet other individuals with whom they share the same therapeutic goals.

In group therapy, members share and discuss their unique insights about their conditions as well as their coping mechanisms that worked to empower other group members as well.

Some groups are dedicated to a specific problem, such as addiction, anxiety, depression, or trauma, while others more broadly seek to expand the members’ interpersonal and assertive skills. Regardless, all group therapies aim at one specific objective: to let these individuals know that they are not alone and that what they feel is valid.

Group Therapy at Liberty Home

Liberty Home incorporates group therapy into various programmes to help individuals with substance addiction and other mental health issues gain more insight about themselves and others, receive guidance from therapists and peers, and experience comfort in a safe environment.

Liberty Home Clinic

Group therapy is integrated into the comprehensive primary care offered at Liberty Home Clinic. Depending on their therapeutic needs, individuals can join some of our groups, such as psychoeducational groups, psychotherapy groups, skills development groups, cognitive behavioural groups, support groups/self-help groups, counselling groups, dynamic group therapy, relapse prevention groups, and interpersonal process groups.

Liberty Home Secondary

The support and sense of belonging you can find from us extend beyond primary care treatment. We also provide a more specialised intervention in our Liberty Home Secondary in Kortrijk, Belgium, where individuals undergo our Reintegration Care to learn coping strategies for dealing with stressors in the outside communities. Meanwhile, our Mindfulness Programme provides a safe environment that promotes recovery and personal growth, as well as keeping and maintaining sober habits.

What Does Group Therapy Treat?

Group therapy is a useful intervention that can be used as a lone or adjunct treatment to treat diverse conditions. Here at Liberty Home, we provide group therapies to help individuals with:

Group therapy is typically part of a comprehensive intervention for treating individuals with substance addiction and is as effective as individual therapy. Particularly, the Support or Self-Help Group can provide guidance and support to individuals who are trying to break free from substance addiction. It also allows members to connect, relate to their experiences, and empathise with their struggles.

Substance Abuse

Considering that individuals with mental health conditions often experience isolation, it is comforting to have others with whom they can share their experiences and challenges. Group sessions are an ideal tool and can be used as an adjunct therapy to motivate the individual and improve the overall treatment outcome.

Mental Health Disorders

The effectiveness of group therapy with substance addictions is similar when it is applied to behavioural or process addictions. Group therapy provides a safe space and a non-judgmental atmosphere for the members where they can share how they deal with their behavioural problems and how they are trying to cope with them.

Behavioural Addictions

Benefits of Group Therapy Sessions

Group therapy offers a range of benefits that can be useful in improving and accelerating treatment outcomes. Here’s what you can get when you start joining group therapy sessions:

Sense of Belonging: Group therapy may provide a supportive environment to connect with others, receive validation, and reduce isolation.
Insights from Other Members: Hearing how others cope with their conditions can widen the individual’s understanding and provide new insights. The constructive feedback from the therapist and peers generates learning that can be applied outside of therapy sessions.
Interpersonal Skills: Interacting with others is often a challenging task for individuals with substance addiction and mental health problems. Group therapy offers a safe environment where they can practice and improve interpersonal skills without fear of being judged or humiliated.
Versatility: Group therapy is effective for a wide range of issues, from daily stressors to major life adjustments and mental health conditions. It can be used as a lone or adjunct treatment intervention.

Join a Group Therapy at Liberty Home

If you feel that you are alone and no one understands you when you are dealing with stress and life challenges, consider joining a therapy group and sharing with others what exactly you feel and why you feel that way. By beginning your first step with us, you will learn how it feels to be reconnected, validated, appreciated, and valued.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Group Therapy Psychotherapy?

Yes, group therapy is a type of therapy that enables members to share and discuss their unique experiences, struggles, and conditions, as well as how they cope with them.

What's the Difference Between Individual and Group Therapy?

Individual therapy is delivered in a one-on-one setting. In contrast, Group Therapy sessions involve several individuals who are treated at the same time by one or more therapists.

Is Group Therapy Good for Social Anxiety?

Yes, Group Therapy has been long recognised as an established treatment for individuals with social anxiety. Group therapy can help provide a safe environment for them to role-play some techniques that can be used to improve their social interactions.