Group therapy is a powerful treatment modality either alone or in conjunction with individual psychotherapy.  Patients typically meet in a group of six to ten participants with one or two therapists.  Most groups meet for 60-90 minute sessions one time per week.  Some groups are time-limited and meet for a pre-arranged time period or number of sessions, while others are more open-ended.  The format of groups varies.  Some groups are psycho-educational with instructional materials, readings and exercises.  Other groups are less structured and promote free dialogue, shared discovery and exploratory processing of thoughts and feelings.

Group therapy offers several unique opportunities for personal growth not usually available in individual treatment:

• the chance to share common problems and concerns with others who have the same experience
• the opportunity to practice communication and relationship skills and to obtain interpersonal feedback
• the opportunity to give and to receive mutual support and encouragement
• the chance to learn from others
• a treatment environment which often mimics family or social dynamics and therefore brings into focus patterns of  behavior and problems from these arenas
• a sense of belonging and an awareness that you are not alone in your struggles