Rehab Centers That Offer Group Therapy

Addiction recovery often involves a wide range of treatment methods. One of the most common types of treatment people encounter in addiction rehab is group therapy.

Group therapy or group counseling takes place between a counselor or therapist and a group of peers who are recovering from substance use disorders (SUD). At its core, group therapy is similar to individual counseling, but has some key differences that offer unique benefits.

Scroll on to learn more about group therapy including its benefits, who may be best suited for this type of treatment, and how to find a treatment facility that offers the service.

Group therapy is a form of talk therapy that takes place between a counselor and a group of people receiving addiction treatment. The typical structure for a group therapy session is a group of six to 12 patients and one or two therapists.

The goals of group therapy are similar to those of individual therapy. Group therapy can help clients learn coping mechanisms and recovery strategies, help build support networks, and build interpersonal skills like communication.

In addition to the general goals of group counseling, there are also specific subtypes of group therapy that are offered in alcohol and drug rehab.

One type of group therapy you may encounter in addiction treatment is cognitive-behavioral group therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of behavioral therapy that focuses on reframing thought patterns and teaching patients healthy coping skills. The idea is to teach individuals how to respond to negative thoughts and feelings or stressors that may exacerbate their addiction.

Support groups are another common modality of group therapy. You may find support groups within rehab programs, but many communities offer local support groups as well. Support groups tend to focus more on sharing experiences and offering comfort or guidance to one another in recovery.

Some forms of group therapy focus on developing specific life skills. This could include relapse prevention groups, developing communication skills, developing social skills, and more. Skills development groups are great for teaching lifelong skills that will come in handy in and out of rehab. Some groups also use family therapy to focus on interpersonal skills between loved ones.

Group counseling in substance abuse treatment has a great number of benefits. These can include peer support, accountability, and skill development.

One of the clearest benefits of group therapy is the opportunity to experience peer support and learn from one another. Group counseling can make addiction and addiction recovery much less lonely and overwhelming. Being surrounded by other group members who are experiencing similar challenges can remind you that you don’t have to get through this journey on your own.

Similarly, group therapy involves a lot of listening. When you hear about the experiences of your peers, you may be able to learn something from their journey that you can apply to your own. It’s a great way to learn different approaches and mindsets as well.

Much like the support group counseling can offer, many people find group therapy sessions to offer a sense of accountability and motivation that keeps them going during the hard times in their recovery journey.

Many people struggle to do things for themselves, especially difficult things like addiction recovery. However, when someone else is counting on you to do the work, you may feel a sense of accountability that pushes you forward.

On a similar note, watching other group members succeed in their recovery can also motivate you to continue on your journey. Addiction treatment can be very daunting at times, but being reminded that there is light at the end of the tunnel can be enough to keep you on track.

As mentioned above, many types of group therapy offer skill development and can help you learn new coping strategies for your recovery and even day-to-day life.

It’s very common for people with SUDs to use addictive substances as a way to cope with stressful life events, pressure from their job or education, or symptoms of mental health disorders.

When you learn healthy ways to cope with triggering thoughts, feelings, and events, it can be much easier to maintain a sober lifestyle. Additionally, learning to develop specific skills like communication or relapse prevention techniques can make it easier to achieve long-lasting recovery.

Now that we’ve explored the basics of group therapy, it’s important to understand how it works in a treatment program.

While your peers are very influential in your group therapy session, the role of the therapist(s) in your session is just as important. During a group counseling session, the counselor helps to facilitate discussion and ensure that it is productive. This can include offering conversation prompts, asking questions, prompting others to share in response to an individual sharing, or mediating any conflict that may arise. Therapists may also initiate activities like role play to foster learning and skill development.

The structure of a therapy group differs from program to program, but generally, groups meet once or twice a week for a session that lasts one to two hours. Some groups can be joined at any time, while others are closed groups and have start and end dates.

Another important part of group therapy is the way it is integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan. In other words, group counseling is often used in combination with other treatment services to increase efficacy and treatment outcomes. Specifically, it’s common for group therapy and individual counseling to be offered simultaneously.

Though they have similar goals, individual counseling allows for one-on-one discussion and treatment that may allow for deeper recovery work. Having a one-on-one connection with a counselor in addition to the peer connection group counseling provides can increase the likelihood of positive rehab outcomes.

Group therapy can be beneficial for almost anyone in addiction recovery treatment. However, certain groups of individuals may benefit from it more than the average person. These groups include those who feel isolated, patients with similar experiences, and newcomers to addiction rehab.

Addiction is a very personal journey that can become lonely at times. As a result, many people with substance abuse problems struggle with isolation at one point or another during their addiction or recovery.

Group therapy can be especially beneficial for individuals who feel isolated in their recovery due to the group setting. Being surrounded by group members who are going through addiction treatment can remind you you’re not alone. Having someone in your corner who understands the obstacles you’re facing can make all the difference.

Similar to the above point, group counseling can be particularly beneficial when you can connect with your peers. Finding out you and a peer have endured similar experiences can offer a sense of support and understanding like no other.

In addition to offering support, finding peers with similar experiences to those of your addiction journey can help forge life-long bonds. Many people make new connections and friends in addiction recovery that continue even after treatment.

Another demographic that may find group therapy helpful is newcomers. People who are new to rehabilitation may be overwhelmed, stressed, scared, or simply feel lost.

Group counseling can help provide a strong foundation for recovery for people who are just starting out. When you’re still learning to navigate treatment, it can be easy to feel disoriented. Group therapy can offer a sense of stability during this difficult transition and give you an opportunity to observe how others have learned to navigate this part of life.

It can be overwhelming to find a rehab center that feels right for your needs and offers the type of treatment you are seeking. However, there are a few tactics you can use to make the search less daunting.

We recommend using resources such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) treatment locator. What is unique about this search tool is that in addition to specifying the location you’d like to receive treatment, you can also filter your search to specific types of treatment, such as therapy.

You can also use our lists of top rehab centers in each state to narrow down your search. Each treatment center is listed with contact information, payment information, treatment options, and amenities. You may also consider using the NIH National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) search engine. When using a general search engine, be sure to specify group counseling or group therapy in your search.

It’s a good idea to utilize treatment facility websites to get information about treatment types, staff experience, and accreditations. You’ll want to ensure a recovery center is well accredited and offers evidence-based treatment. You can also look to patient reviews for a better idea of what the experience is like.

When looking for a rehab facility for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to also ask any unanswered questions you may have when touring your options.

You may consider asking:

• Do you offer group therapy?
• How long is your treatment program?
• Is your program inpatient or outpatient?
• What are your payment options?
• What do your housing arrangements look like? Will I be sharing a room?
• How will my treatment plan be developed?
• Do you offer any amenities?
• What are your visitor restrictions?
• What certifications and licenses do your staff have?
• What aftercare support do you offer?
• Do you offer payment assistance?

While group counseling can be very beneficial, much like any other treatment service, it does not come without challenges and factors you may want to consider. These include initial reluctance, group dynamics, and confidentiality concerns.

When first starting group therapy, many individuals may feel reluctant to engage. Some people don’t feel comfortable sharing or engaging in group discussions right away. This can be for many reasons, but the idea of group counseling can be daunting to some.

It’s important to note that over time, many people can push past this reluctance and become more comfortable. This can be because you start to trust other group members more as you form connections with them or you feel more open to sharing after watching others do so.

Some people may face the fear of judgment when it comes to sharing their experiences. Thankfully, group therapy sessions are designed to be judgment-free zones, and most of the other group members will have similar experiences or the same fear of judgment. In reality, once you push past the fear of judgment, you may find acceptance and support from others.

Another challenge you may run into with group counseling is group dynamics. Just like any other group environment, not everyone will always get along in group therapy. This can be due to conflicts or differences in personality.

This can be stressful to think about, but it’s important to remember that the counselor or therapist in your session is professionally trained to handle any conflicts that arise.

That being said, conflicts and differences in personality can be opportunities for growth and skill development. You may be able to learn to communicate through these challenges and problem-solve in ways that can translate to other areas of your recovery.

Some people are reluctant to try group therapy due to confidentiality concerns. In other words, they may worry that the information they share in their group counseling sessions will be shared by their peers.

Most treatment centers have ground rules for group therapy sessions, the most important being that the information shared in sessions is confidential. Remember that you only have to share as much as you are comfortable sharing and may find a greater sense of trust in your peers as time goes on.

Getting started with group therapy can seem overwhelming, but there are just a few steps you’ll need to take before starting your treatment.

First and foremost, you’ll want to gather information such as cost, payment options, group structure, and availability from any treatment facilities you’re considering receiving group therapy.

After narrowing your options down, you’ll be able to enroll in a therapy group by providing any necessary personal information and documentation required. This differs between rehab programs. Some treatment centers allow over-the-phone enrollment, while others require you to come in person to enroll.

Prior to enrollment, you may need to talk to your insurance company to fulfill any requirements for coverage such as getting prior authorization, an official diagnosis, or a referral from your healthcare provider.

Once you enroll, you’ll receive a treatment schedule including session dates and times as well as any other information you may need to attend group therapy.

Group therapy is a very beneficial part of a comprehensive treatment program that can help you connect with your peers, create a support system, and remind you that you’re not alone in your recovery.

For additional guidance on group counseling in drug and alcohol rehab, give our helpline a call today.