Benefits of Group Therapy in IOP
You may be unsure about trying group therapy treatment for a mental health condition. We get it—groups are a daunting environment for many, especially if you’re feeling vulnerable and find group settings difficult. It’s normal to be worried you’ll be seen negatively or be anxious that you won’t receive the support you need.
Fortunately, group therapy in intensive outpatient (IOP) mental health treatment prioritizes making you feel safe and comfortable, giving you the space you need to have your voice heard. What’s more, with likeminded people all around you, you won’t only feel seen and heard; you’ll feel less alone.
Below, we’ll walk you through what group therapy in IOP is, as well as how you can benefit from it.
What Is Group Therapy in IOP Mental Health Treatment?
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) serves as a bridge between inpatient treatment and once-a-week outpatient counseling services.1 In simple terms, you get the perks of staying at home, in the environment you find most comfortable, while also having access to the best support services.
Because an IOP is designed to be more intensive than outpatient counseling, it offers a range of services, including group therapy.
Group therapy occurs in a group setting, meaning a therapist will lead an entire group of people—who have all struggled with similar difficulties—through a therapy session. Sometimes, two therapists work together to lead a group, offering structure, guidance, and encouragement to share. They will also help to:
- Keep the group on track
- Ensure that members learn from one another
- Hold firm boundaries around respectful language and listening, allowing each member to feel safe.
The group members also play a key part in the therapy process. In group sessions, members have the opportunity to:
- Learn from one another
- Gain clarity on their experiences
- Share their thoughts and emotions
- Resonate with other people’s experiences
- Form connections with like-minded people
In IOP mental health treatment, group therapy is often a core service. Since intensive outpatient programs offer at least 9 hours of service per week, groups are usually offered several times a week.2 While there can be some variations based on the specific program, groups typically meet for 90 to 120 minutes at a time, and they include around 7 to 10 members.3
Uses of Group Therapy in IOPs
There are several different uses for group therapy in IOPs. Typically, people will be grouped together as they’re struggling with a similar problem. For instance, a group therapy program may be designed specifically for individuals with mood disorders. Or, a group may be designed to meet the needs of those who are struggling with stress management.
Below are some conditions that are commonly treated using group therapy modalities4:
- ADHD
- Trauma
- Chronic stress
- Behavioral problems
- Relationship problems
- Psychological challenges linked to medical problems
- Emotional and mental health problems like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder
The list above is not exhaustive, but it’s just a snapshot of some of the difficulties you could receive support for in group therapy. If you’re experiencing challenges related to a mental health problem or life stress—whether it’s on this list or not—group therapy may be beneficial for you.
7 Benefits of Group Therapy in IOPs
Despite many people assuming that individual therapy has more benefits than group therapy, research finds this isn’t true—group therapy is just as effective as individual therapy.3 Group therapy may actually provide several unique benefits that contribute to personal growth and healing. Seven of these benefits are described below3:
- Get Help From Like-Minded People
One of the central features of group therapy is that members help each other. The therapist guides members through sessions, but group members take the responsibility to reflect on other members’ experiences and provide support.
Through the process of helping others in the group, you can experience improvements in your self-esteem, as it’ll remind you that you can make a difference and contribute something to your relationships.
- Release Built-up Emotions
Group therapy sessions are a safe space to express your thoughts and feelings, including those that may be painful or difficult to discuss. By sharing uncomfortable thoughts in a group, you can experience a sense of emotional release called catharsis.
This can be healing in and of itself, as releasing emotions means you no longer have to repress those uncomfortable feelings. You may also feel relieved and less ashamed when you share thoughts in the group setting and gain acceptance from your fellow members.
- Improve Your Social Skills
By engaging with others in group therapy sessions, you’ll likely see improvements in your social skills, as you’ll learn and practice healthier forms of communication with the support of the therapist.
During group sessions, you will also receive feedback from other people in the group, which allows you to reflect on your behavior and its effects on others. Newfound social skills developed during IOP can transfer to life outside the group, allowing you to have more fulfilling relationships.
- Learn New Coping Strategies
Group therapy sessions typically consist of people who are all experiencing similar life problems, such as anxiety, depression, or unhealthy stress management. During group sessions, you have the opportunity to watch others work through their problems, giving you the opportunity to learn a new way of thinking about a problem and its solutions.
Furthermore, while you may be experiencing similar struggles to other members, those within your group may come from different walks of life. So, participating in a group can offer you new perspectives you may have never encountered outside of your group sessions.
- Find Comfort and Safety in Group Settings
In some cases, people who experience mental health problems may be coping with unresolved issues from their families of origin. For instance, a history of a hostile relationship with your parents may contribute to your current anxiety.
Because group sessions offer you the opportunity to interact with other, like-minded people, it may help you re-enact family dynamics but in a safe environment, free from criticism or judgment. This is a unique experience that can help you overcome the effect that these dynamics are having on your daily life.
- Take Control of Your Healing
Struggling with a mental health problem, day in and day out, can sometimes make you feel hopeless. You may worry that you’ll never feel better or that your life circumstances will never improve.
During group sessions, you can observe the success of other members. This can be a source of encouragement, showing you that healing and growth are possible. In turn, this can create a sense of hope for the future, motivating you to make positive changes in your own life and demonstrating that change is possible.
- Feel Less Alone
Although roughly 970 million people struggle with their mental health worldwide, it’s normal to feel alone and isolated in your experience.5 It can seem like no one else is facing the same problems, and that no one can truly see how difficult things feel for you.
During group sessions, it often becomes apparent just how many other people are experiencing the very same problems. This can validate and normalize the experience of living with a mental health condition. Connecting with others also gives you access to additional support, which can reduce feelings of isolation.
Group Therapy in IOPs at Mission Connection
At Mission Connection, we are proud to offer IOP for mental health. Group therapy is a part of our IOP, and it will allow you to connect with others experiencing similar challenges. We offer several forms of group therapy, including:
- Psychoeducation Groups: In these group sessions, you can learn about mental health conditions and how they are treated and managed.
- Process Groups: In a process group, you’ll learn from others and gain insight into your own thoughts and emotions.
We offer our group therapy services alongside other interventions, including medication management and individual counseling. We have both online and in-person treatment options, and we offer services at flexible times to fit your schedule.
Final Word on Group Therapy in IOPs
Group therapy is a key service offered in intensive outpatient programs. The group setting provides unique benefits, such as building your self-esteem by helping others and connecting with like-minded people, making you feel less alone.
Group therapy will help you develop stronger social skills and learn from others who have coped—or are actively coping—with similar problems. As such, group therapy can play an important role in recovering from a mental health condition.
At Mission Connection, we offer group therapy as a part of our IOP, allowing you to build a sense of community with others who are also seeking treatment. We designed our services to support people who need more than traditional once-a-week counseling, but who don’t require the around-the-clock care and support offered in inpatient treatment settings.
Contact us today to learn more about our services or to get started with treatment.
References
- Medicare.gov. (n.d.)., Mental health care (intensive outpatient program services). https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/mental-health-care-intensive-outpatient-program-services
- McCarty, D., Braude, L., Lyman, D. R., Dougherty, R. H., Daniels, A. S., Ghose, S. S., & Delphin-Rittmon, M. E. (2014). Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Programs: Assessing the evidence. Psychiatric Services, 65(6), 718–726. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201300249
- Malhotra, A., Mars, J. A., & Baker, J. (2024). Group Therapy. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
- APA. (2018). Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy. https://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/group-psychology-therapy
- World Health Organization. (2022, June 8). Mental disorders. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders#:~:text=In%202019%2C%201%20in%20every,the%20most%20common%20(1).
