Sitting in a room, or on a video call, with strangers and talking about what’s hard can sound like the last thing you’d want. Here’s what group therapy actually involves, why it helps, and how to tell if it’s for you.
Group therapy is talk therapy in a small group: often around 7 to 10 people who meet regularly with one or two trained therapists. Members talk about what they’re going through, listen to each other and try out new ways of coping, with the therapist guiding the conversation and keeping it safe.
What happens in a group session
Many groups meet at the same time every week or every two weeks, often for 60 to 90 minutes. A typical session looks like this:
- Check-in. Each person says briefly how they’ve been since the last session. You can pass.
- The main conversation. One or two people may talk about something in depth, or the group works on a shared topic, like handling a difficult boss or a family argument. Others respond with what they’ve noticed or what has helped them.
- Closing. The therapist sums up and the group says what they’re taking away.
The therapist’s job is to keep the group on track, make sure no one dominates or gets left out, step in if someone is hurt by a comment, and point out patterns the group might miss. You’re never forced to share more than you want.
The main types of group
- Psychoeducation groups teach about a condition or problem, such as anxiety, diabetes and mood, or caring for someone with dementia, with time to discuss it.
- Skills groups practise specific skills: managing anger, calming panic, assertiveness, coping with cravings.
- Support groups bring together people facing the same situation, like grief, infertility or a new diagnosis, so they can share experience.
- Psychotherapy (process) groups focus on how members relate to each other in the room, which often mirrors how they relate to people outside it.
Groups can also be closed, where the same people start and finish together, or open, where new members join as others leave.
Why it helps
The psychiatrist Irvin Yalom, whose textbook on group therapy is still widely used, described eleven “therapeutic factors” that help explain why groups work. In plain terms, some of the main ones are:
- You’re not the only one. Many people arrive believing their problem is shameful or unique. Hearing others say the same thing out loud is often the biggest relief.
- Hope. Seeing someone a few months ahead of you who is coping better shows that change is possible.
- Learning from each other. Members share practical ideas that worked for them, and the therapist adds information.
- Helping someone else. Being useful to another member is good for your own confidence.
- Practising relationships. The group is a safe place to try saying no, asking for support, or disagreeing without a fight.
- Belonging. Over time, the group becomes a place where you’re accepted as you are.
Does group therapy work?
For many common problems, yes. A large review of 67 studies that compared the same treatment delivered in a group and one-to-one found, on average, no difference in results, and no difference in how many people dropped out. Reviews focused on depression, anxiety disorders and eating disorders have mostly found the same.
There are exceptions. For social anxiety, UK guidelines recommend individual therapy rather than a group as the first choice, and for some problems, such as PTSD, there’s little research comparing the two. So a group isn’t right for every person or every problem. But if a group suits you, you’re not settling for second best.
Who group therapy may not suit
A group probably isn’t the right first step if:
- you’re in crisis or having thoughts of ending your life right now
- you’re having acute psychotic symptoms, such as hearing voices or losing touch with what’s real
- you’re drinking or using drugs heavily, unless the group is designed for recovery
- you have social anxiety severe enough that individual therapy is the usual first step
- you’d rather work through something very private, such as recent abuse, one-to-one before talking about it with others
In these cases, one-to-one support usually comes first. A long-term condition doesn’t rule you out on its own; what matters is how you are now and whether the group fits. Many people do both: a one-to-one therapist for depth, and a group for support and practice. If you’re unsure, ask the therapist who leads the group before you join.
Suggested read: Group therapy sessions are here
If you’re in crisis right now, call 112 (or 767 in Lagos), or Safe Place Nigeria on 0800 800 2000. The full list of numbers is on our helplines page.
Group therapy, support groups and one-to-one therapy
| Group therapy | Peer support group | One-to-one therapy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Led by | A trained therapist | Usually members themselves | A trained therapist |
| Who’s there | A small group with a similar concern | Anyone with the shared experience | You and your therapist |
| Focus | Change and coping, guided | Sharing and encouragement | Your own problem, in depth |
| Privacy | Members agree to keep what’s said in the group | Varies | Confidential, within legal limits |
How privacy works in a group
In one-to-one therapy, confidentiality rests with your therapist. In a group, it also rests with the other members. Good groups handle this openly:
- Every member agrees, before joining, that what’s said in the group stays in the group.
- The therapist can promise their own confidentiality, but they can’t guarantee what other members do, so you decide how much to share and when.
- Many groups use first names only.
It’s normal to share very little in your first few sessions. Trust in a group builds over time.
Group therapy in Nigeria
You can join group therapy online from anywhere in Nigeria. On Mytherapist.ng, groups are called circles. Each one:
- has up to 12 people and is led by a licensed therapist
- meets on video at a fixed time, every week or every two weeks, for 60 to 90 minutes
- uses first names or an alias, with cameras optional, and is never recorded
- has a topic and a description written by its therapist, so you can see who it’s for before you join
The price is set by the therapist who leads the circle, and you see it before you pay. Our announcement explains how circles work, from joining to the first session.
How to choose a group
- Read the description. A good group is clear about who it’s for, what you’ll talk about and how often it meets.
- Check who leads it. Look for a trained, licensed therapist, not just an enthusiastic host.
- Ask how new members join, and whether you can talk to the therapist first.
- Give it three or four sessions before deciding. The first one is often the most awkward.
If you’d rather start one-to-one, browse licensed therapists on Mytherapist.ng. Our guide to the types of counselling explains the other options.
Frequently asked questions
What is group therapy in simple words? It’s therapy in a small group. A few people with similar concerns meet regularly with a trained therapist to talk, listen to each other and learn new ways of coping.
How many people are in a group therapy session? There’s no fixed number. Many therapists aim for about 7 to 10 members, plus one or two therapists, and Mytherapist.ng circles have up to 12. Smaller groups give everyone more time to talk.
Do I have to talk in group therapy? No. You can listen until you’re ready. Most people say little at first and share more as they get to know the group.
Is group therapy as good as individual therapy? On average, research has found the two give similar results when they use the same treatment, including for depression and many anxiety problems. Social anxiety is an exception, where individual therapy is usually recommended first. Which is better for you depends on your problem and what you’re comfortable with.
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Is what I say in group therapy confidential? Members agree to keep what’s said in the group private, and the therapist keeps the same confidentiality as in one-to-one work. But the therapist can’t control what other members do, so share at your own pace.
Can I do group therapy online in Nigeria? Yes. Mytherapist.ng circles meet by video, with first names only and cameras optional.
This article is awaiting clinical review. It’s based on published research and health guidelines, and we’ll update it once a clinician has reviewed it.
