Benefits of Group Therapy for Teens: Why Connection Matters
Suddenly, everything seems so uncertain in life. There’s drama with friends, crushes develop, and you may be feeling more pressure to succeed in academics and sports to have a bright future. Plus, teens aren’t always nice to each other, so there can be a lot to handle during the teenage years. One or the benefits of group therapy for teens is that it can help teenagers feel less alone while learning how to manage these challenges.
While childhood mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD can develop during the early years, the teenage years are often when these conditions become more difficult to manage. Group therapy can be effective in helping teenagers deal with the pressures of growing up and develop lasting coping skills that they can carry into adulthood.
What Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a mental health service where people come together, either virtually or in person. During these sessions, they talk about the challenges they are facing. One or more licensed therapists who specialize in child and teen therapy lead and moderate group therapy sessions for teenagers.
Many different types of group therapy are available for teenagers. These sessions can be general or focused on specific issues that teens may face. Specialized group therapy sessions can focus on:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Depression
- Trauma
- Social anxiety
- Grief
- Chronic pain or illness
- Weight perception challenges
- ADHD
- Intense Reactions
- …and so much more!
What Are the Benefits of Group Therapy for Teens?
Support From Peers
It’s hard not to feel lonely when you are a teenager. When it feels like everyone and everything is against you, it can be an isolating experience. You may feel like no one gets you or understands what you’re going through.
Group therapy can change that experience. It can help teens find support from their peers and connect with people they never expected to have things in common with. It can also reduce the stigma surrounding mental health by showing teens that many people experience similar struggles.
Raises Self-Awareness
One of the benefits of group therapy for teens is that it can increase self-awareness and compassion. We all do it: We look at the issues we face in life and can only see things from our own perspective. Group therapy provides constructive feedback and different viewpoints that you may not have considered before.
Sharing your struggles with others can also be empowering. We often think about what we’re facing and feel completely alone. While every situation and person is unique, it can be surprising to discover that other teenagers are dealing with similar challenges.
It Teaches Social Skills
Group therapy for teenagers is a great way to focus on healthy communication and conflict resolution. It can teach teens how to be less reactive and more thoughtful when interacting with other teens or adults.
You can also learn to read body language and understand what someone may mean beyond their exact words. These skills can be challenging to develop during the teenage years, but they can benefit you for the rest of your life.
Increases Motivation
Learning that you are not alone in what you’re going through can be highly empowering. This sense of connection can help you think about your long-term goals and make positive changes. While adults don’t always give teenagers enough credit, teens have goals and dreams they want to reach, too. Seeing other people work toward their goals can be a powerful motivator to do the same, no matter your age.
How Can Group Therapy Benefit Your Teen?
If your teen is struggling, group therapy can support their mental and social growth in a meaningful way. It can also be a more affordable option if you’re exploring therapy but feeling concerned about cost. If you’d like to learn more about group therapy for teens or other mental health services, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jazmine, our group therapist who provides free 15 minute consultations. We’re happy to talk with you about your teen and help you figure out the next step for your family.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT