We all go through challenges that tax our ability to cope. When you struggle with a problem, one way that struggle is made worse is by imagining that you’re the only person in the world that struggles with it. This sense of isolation becomes an added burden that makes a difficult situation much more unpleasant. One way to overcome that sense of isolation as you constructively address your concerns is to attend group counseling.

Get connected with a Christian Counselor
Please contact our reception team at
(424) 438-2888

What Exactly Is Group Counseling?

Group counseling is a form of psychotherapy or talk therapy that occurs in a group context. A group of about five to ten members who share similar concerns gathers weekly for sessions that are led by one or two trained counselors who guide the discussion. Group members share their thoughts and experiences, adding to the discussion and listening to the contributions of other group members. Group counseling can be used by adults, but it is effective for teens as well.

The counselors are trained in handling group dynamics and guiding discussions in ways that yield fruit for each member. The counselors will ask questions to prompt discussion, inviting group members to reflect on and respond to the prompt constructively. In this way, group counseling is collaborative in a way that individual counseling is not.

Groups can function in different ways. For instance, some groups are closed, meaning that once the group is formed, no other people can join it until the group winds down. Other groups are open, and newcomers can join the group each week. Both situations have their pros and cons, including how the sense of group cohesion is affected or how the energy levels of the group are impacted by being either open or closed. When you seek out group counseling, it’s important to ask how the group will function and go with the option you feel suits you best.

Both group and individual counseling have their benefits and drawbacks. Whichever option you choose, it’s a step in the right direction because you’re getting the help you need. Some of the benefits of group counseling include the following:

  • Group counseling tends to be cheaper and more affordable than individual counseling.
  • Group counseling helps alleviate the sense that you’re alone in your struggles, as others in the group share the same concerns.
  • Group counseling allows you to invest in the growth of others in the group. You’re able to contribute your insights and experiences to help others along in their journey.
  • Other group members can speak about their experience. This can be more meaningful for younger people especially, as they hear their peers better than authority figures.
  • Within certain limits, group counseling can be a place to form meaningful relationships.
  • Additionally, group counseling provides opportunities to develop social skills such as expressing thoughts and emotions, listening empathetically, and responding constructively to the thoughts of others, being respectful of differing opinions, and so on.

While group counseling has these benefits, you don’t have to choose between the two; you can attend individual counseling while also going for group counseling sessions, thereby getting the best of both worlds. In this way, you can mitigate the unhelpful impact of both. However, if the cost of treatment is an obstacle, group counseling is effective in helping you work through your concerns and questions.

Group counseling can be used to address many concerns, including the following:

  • Anger management issues
  • Grief and loss
  • Loneliness and shyness
  • Anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Depression and other mood disorders
  • Eating disorders
  • Premarital counseling
  • Recovery from abuse or assault
  • Substance abuse, chemical dependency, and addictions
  • Codependency
  • Divorce
  • Bullying

Conclusion

Life’s struggles come to us all at one point or another in our lives. This inevitable reality doesn’t have to be faced alone. Not only can you begin addressing these challenges with the help of a trained counselor, but you can do so in the company of brothers or sisters in Christ who are working through the same struggles. Group counseling can help you rebuild your life and learn how to cope with tough circumstances even as you share and receive insights within the group.

Whatever your concerns are, it’s possible to work through these challenges to build a healthy, and productive life. Loma Linda Christian Counseling can help you work on your concerns and any issues that stand in the way of you reaching your full potential. Using effective counseling techniques that incorporate and sponsor a Christian faith-based outlook, the counselors at Loma Linda Christian Counseling can help your life flourish. If you want to find a Christian counselor in the Loma Linda area, consider Loma Linda Christian Counseling, and please contact us for a risk-free trial session.

Get connected with a Christian Counselor
Please contact our reception team at
(424) 438-2888