You’re probably aware that treatment for addiction or mental illness typically entails both individual and group psychotherapy. Although the two therapies share some similarities, they are not the same. Yet, it can be very helpful to your rehabilitation if you take part in both individual and group treatment.
Take a look at what we’ve explained below:
The Comparison
By definition, a single patient sees a single therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, or psychologist during an individual therapy session. Group therapy, on the other hand, refers to the practice of providing mental health services to more than one patient at a time within a structured therapeutic setting. When there are at least two persons involved, group therapy can be effective for any number of participants.
Amazingly enough, cognitive-behavioral therapy, art therapy, and psychoeducation are just a few of the treatment methods that can inform both group and individual sessions. There is no discernible difference between the two in terms of the type of therapy offered, but rather the number of people who benefit from both. Find out more here https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/affordable-therapy-when-youre-broke.
Benefits of Individual Therapy
There are a number of ways in which individual therapy can help those in recovery. We want you to understand that one-on-one treatment is advantageous because of the high degree of privacy it affords its patients. In a more intimate setting, you may feel more at ease sharing sensitive information and pouring your heart out.
Unless in rare circumstances where disclosure is essential, your therapist will be the only person who learns about your struggles. The only times your privacy would be violated would be if you were actively suicidal, actively threatening the safety of others, or actively abusing someone else.
There is a deeper level of trust established between therapist and client in individual treatment. During a session where the therapist’s attention is fully on you, they are better able to comprehend your situation. Your therapist will be better able to figure out what’s going on as a result. You can delve more deeply into your concerns and craft a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific goals.
What About Limitations?
We understand that individual counseling is an awesome and powerful tool for growth and recovery. Some people may benefit more from group treatment than from individual therapy.
If you’re only ever in treatment with one therapist, you won’t get much exposure to the experiences and solutions of others who are dealing with comparable concerns. Having everyone’s attention on you can be challenging if you have trouble expressing yourself or putting your faith in others.
Benefits of Group Therapy
One of the greatest gains from group therapy is learning to function effectively within a team. In group therapy, people with similar problems can talk to one another and learn from one another’s experiences and ideas.
You will definitely discover that you’re not the only one weathering a storm! When people feel like they belong somewhere, they are more likely to band together to solve all of their problems. Many patients in recovery from substance misuse believe their difficulties are unique, so a unified approach can be extremely helpful in understanding that they’re not alone in the world. Read more here.
Do you know what else is great? We’d like you to know that learning about yourself and developing self-awareness are two additional benefits of group therapy. You might low-key learn something about yourself you didn’t know before as others describe their lives and the contexts in which they experienced certain emotions and thoughts.
What About Limitations?
You might not get the attention you need while participating in group therapy, which is a bummer. Plus, some of the patients speaking out their problems in front of you might not help with your situation because their issues are not relevant to you. So take your time to think things through!
Conclusion
Both individual and group therapy have their pros and cons, depending on the situation you’re in. So, whichever option you go for, make sure to do research in advance. If you’ve discovered an amazing clinic for your healing process, be sure to check their website for more information about their treatment options.
The more relevant information you find out, the surer you’ll be in your decision. So, good luck with your healing journey, and don’t be scared of this huge change in your life because it will make all the difference in the world!
