What Type of Issues Can Be Addressed Through Group Therapy?

At Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy, we know that mental healthcare works best when it feels both supportive and personal. Group therapy often surprises people — it’s not just sitting in a circle talking about problems. It’s a structured, evidence-based approach that brings people together to share, learn, and grow.

With the guidance of Lawrence Abah, PMHNP-BC, and our compassionate team, you’ll find that group therapy can create a safe space where you realize you’re not alone in your struggles. That alone can be healing.

Different styles of group therapy, and how they help

Group therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment. There are several styles to meet different needs, and choosing the right one depends on what you’re working through and how you like to connect.

Some of the most common approaches include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) groups: help you identify and change unhelpful thought patterns, often useful for depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Interpersonal process groups: focus on relationships and communication, so you learn more about yourself while connecting with others
• Skills development groups: teach coping tools, stress management strategies, and emotional regulation techniques that you can apply in daily life
• Psychoeducational groups: increase your understanding of symptoms and treatment, while giving you practical resources
• Support or peer groups: offer encouragement and understanding from people who share similar challenges and experiences

Each style offers something different. For example, a CBT group can give you concrete ways to manage anxious thoughts, while a support group may give you the encouragement you’ve been missing.

Mental health issues group therapy addresses

You might be surprised by how many conditions respond well to group therapy. At Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy, we often recommend groups for:

Depression

Depression can make you feel cut off and misunderstood, but group therapy helps counter those feelings. Sharing openly with others reduces shame and isolation, while hearing how others cope with similar struggles can inspire you to try new strategies. 

The sense of community you build can give you newfound hope and motivate you to stay engaged in recovery.

Anxiety disorders

Anxiety takes many forms. It might be generalized worry, panic attacks, social anxiety, or fear of specific situations.

In group therapy, you see that others wrestle with similar fears, which helps normalize your experience. Together, you can practice relaxation techniques, roleplay social situations, or learn cognitive behavioral tools that make anxiety easier to manage day to day.

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder leaves you feeling isolated, like no one else could understand what you’ve been through. 

Group therapy creates a safe, supportive environment where you can share your unique experiences of trauma. That shared understanding helps validate your feelings and can reduce guilt or self-blame. Group members also learn grounding techniques and coping tools to manage flashbacks, hypervigilance, and other PTSD symptoms.

Grief and loss

Grief can feel like an endless, lonely journey, but you don’t have to walk it alone. 

In group therapy, you talk about your loss with people who truly understand the depth of your pain. Sharing joyous and painful stories helps you process emotions, honor your loved one, and find hope in the possibility of healing.

Over time, the group can help you move toward acceptance while still holding space for remembrance.

Substance use disorders

When you’re trying to overcome substance use, you need accountability and connection. 

Group therapy provides both. For example, CBT and relapse prevention groups can help you recognize what triggers your symptoms, practice coping strategies, and learn from others who’re going through the same thing. Your groupmates cheer for your progress and walk with you through setbacks can strengthen your commitment to stick with your treatment.

Hearing others describe what you’re going through — sometimes in words you haven’t been able to find yourself — can be powerful.

Why group therapy works so well

There are several reasons group therapy has been used for decades, supported by research and clinical experience alike. You gain connection, accountability, and perspective that are hard to find on your own. You also benefit from:

• Shared experiences that remind you you’re not the only one struggling
• Practical tools you can borrow from others
• Motivation to keep showing up, even on hard days
• Safe feedback that helps you better understand yourself

You may find that progress comes faster in a group because the combination of structure and support creates momentum.

When group therapy is combined with other treatments, like individual psychotherapy sessions or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), it becomes part of a truly holistic care plan.

Call Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy in Aurora or Chicago, Illinois, or Las Vegas, Nevada, or request an appointment online today to find out if one of our groups is the right fit for you.