Group Therapy For PTSD: What Are Its Benefits?

When we talk about seeking treatment for mental health, the first thing that comes to mind is psychotherapy, right? When we talk about psychotherapy, our mind conjures up images of a therapist sitting in a chair and their client on a couch. I mean, that’s the image TV shows and movies have created for us.

But have you ever considered group therapy when you’re seeking therapy? I can understand that sharing your problems and traumatic experiences with others might seem daunting but did you know that group therapy is as effective as individual therapy?

In this article though, I’ll share with you some of the benefits of group therapy for PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) treatment.

But first, let’s revisit some of the advantages of group therapy. Group therapy for depression, anxiety, trauma, or other mental health disorders can help:

• Provide support
• Provide a different perception of your condition
• Provide you with motivation
• Improve your social skills
• Understand yourself a little better

Along with other benefits, group therapy can also help you form a strong support system to fall back on if needed.

Read: Weighing The Pros & Cons Of Group Therapy

Now, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of trauma group therapy.

4 Benefits Of Group Therapy For PTSD

PTSD group therapy can help in the following ways:

1. Provides Validation

If you ask me, “what is a major benefit of group therapy?”, I’d say – acceptance and authenticity. When you’re in group therapy, you meet other people struggling with similar problems as you. You see that you are not alone in your fight, in healing. Whether you seek help for relationship issues, substance abuse, depression, sleep disorders, or eating disorders, you meet others struggling with the same problems as you.

In group therapy, you meet people who accept you as you are, people who understand where you’re coming from.

When it comes to PTSD, it can be difficult for someone going through trauma to make others understand their struggle. Not everyone understands what someone with PTSD is going through.

In such cases, group therapy can help you meet others with traumatic past and resonate with them and their experiences. In a group therapy setting, you don’t need to fight for validation, acceptance, and authentication.

2. Helps You Learn From Others

Another advantage of group therapy is that you get to listen to people with similar problems and learn from their experiences. People in group therapy share their coping mechanisms – which are effective, which aren’t. In group therapy, you get to listen to others’ perspectives in dealing with problems and learn from them.

Sometimes, you hear about problems, experiences, and solutions you might not even have considered yourself.

For PTSD group therapy, one of the major benefits is that you might meet people who have been struggling for a longer time and some who have already recovered from the trauma. By being in group therapy you can learn ways you can relate to others and learn coping skills that might help you overcome your trauma.

3. Help Others

Group therapy is a give-and-take setting. If you’re benefiting from listening to others deal with their problems, remember that someone else might benefit from your experiences too. Helping others can help increase your self-confidence and self-esteem. It can also improve your belief in yourself and your coping skills.

Another amazing benefit, right?

4. Provides Social Support

As I’ve mentioned before, in group therapy you meet people with similar experiences whether they be trauma, PTSD, or other mental health issues. Another benefit of trauma group therapy is that it provides an excellent way to build a support system.

Getting support from others who are going through the same problem as you can give you a kind of a safety net you can fall back on if ever needed. Dealing with PTSD and trauma can bring up some strong emotions that might not always be easy to deal with. In such cases, asking for social support from your support system can help.

Group therapy can also help you build strong, nurturing, dependable, and healthy relationships with others as well.

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Sharing Is Healing….

Listening and sharing our experiences with others going through similar situations can be as meaningful as it can be healing. After all, we heal better in social settings.

While group therapy has its advantages, it has some disadvantages as well. If you’re looking for a session where you require all attention, then group therapy might not be as helpful as an individual session. Also, in a group therapy setting, not everyone might be comfortable sharing their problems with others as they will be in a one-on-one session.

Group therapy is a safe space to share experiences and problems but if you’re struggling with severe or complex PTSD, then some shares might trigger a panic attack. In trauma group therapy, some topics are off-limits to avoid such situations. So before opting for group therapy,

please consult with your therapist.

When it comes to therapy, the primary goal is to understand what you’d like to get from the therapy. Will you benefit from group therapy or individual therapy?

If you or someone you know are struggling with the symptoms of PTSD or trauma, it is recommended you seek a professional therapist and discuss your goals with them before choosing a treatment option.

Also Read: Myths And Facts Associated With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

I hope the above information helped you understand the benefits of group therapy for PTSD. For more, you can contact us at info@calmsage.com or connect with us on our social media. We always look forward to hearing from you!

Lastly, remember that you are not alone!

Take care and stay safe!