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Learn more about group therapy
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which a trained therapist works with several clients at the same time, typically in groups of 6 to 12 people. Unlike individual therapy, the group itself is an active part of the therapeutic process: the interactions between members, the experience of being witnessed by peers, and the recognition of shared difficulty all contribute to change alongside the therapist's facilitation.
Group therapy is one of the most extensively researched formats in psychotherapy. It is used in clinical, community, and private settings across a wide range of presentations, and is offered within many different therapeutic traditions, including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, and systemic approaches.
In group therapy, the therapist structures the group to create conditions in which therapeutic work can happen between members as well as with the therapist. The group meets regularly, typically weekly, with a consistent membership.
The therapeutic process in a group may involve:
- Sharing personal experiences and receiving responses from peers who understand
- Observing and working with interpersonal patterns as they arise in real time
- Giving and receiving feedback in a structured, boundaried setting
- Developing social confidence, trust, and the capacity for genuine contact
- Recognising that difficulty is shared rather than individual, which reduces shame
Group therapy is particularly effective for presentations where relational patterns, isolation, or shared human experience are central.
Addictions
Addiction is one of the most established applications of group therapy. The group format provides accountability, shared experience, and the kind of sustained peer connection that supports recovery in ways individual therapy alone often cannot. Group approaches are a cornerstone of addiction treatment internationally.
Loneliness
Loneliness is not just a subjective feeling but a relational pattern, and the group is one of the most direct ways to work with it therapeutically. Being part of a group that meets consistently, where genuine contact develops over time, provides a corrective experience of connection.
Co-Dependency
Co-dependency, characterised by difficulty maintaining a sense of self in close relationships, is well-suited to group work. The group provides multiple relational contexts in which these patterns can be observed and worked with, and where members can support each other in developing healthier relational boundaries.
Alcoholism
Group therapy has a long history in the treatment of alcohol dependency, both within clinical settings and in peer-support models. Professionally facilitated group therapy addresses the psychological and relational dimensions of alcohol use, often alongside other forms of clinical support.
Choosing an approach isn't something you have to do alone. IC's matching can pair you with a therapist whose approach suits your situation. Get matched
It's Complicated is a therapist-founded mental health platform connecting clients with verified practitioners across Europe and globally, in over 60 languages. We work with over 2,500 vetted therapists, with in-person availability in Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Lisbon, Vienna, and other major cities, alongside online sessions worldwide. It's Complicated is free to use, and you pay your chosen therapist directly at rates they set.
Finding a group therapy programme that is the right fit in terms of topic, format, language, and availability takes more research than finding an individual therapist. Our matching service is built to remove that friction. You complete a short survey, our psychologists combine data-driven insights with human judgement to identify the right therapists for your situation, and you choose from a shortlist of strong candidates. You can also browse our directory directly if you'd prefer to choose yourself.
Get matched with a group therapy practitioner, or browse all group therapy options in the directory.
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