Group Therapy
Finding Connection, Support, and Understanding Through Shared Experience
Difficult experiences can become even more difficult when you feel as though you are going through them alone.
Group therapy can be a powerful way to connect with others around lived experience.
At Bridges Psychology, therapy groups are periodically offered to bring together people navigating similar experiences. Groups combine professional psychological treatment with the opportunity to connect with others who understand aspects of what you are going through because they are experiencing something similar themselves.
Research has consistently demonstrated the importance of social connection and social support to psychological wellbeing. Group therapy builds upon that human need for connection while providing something more structured than an informal support group.
Depending upon the group being offered, treatment at Bridges Psychology may incorporate evidence-based approaches such as Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion for Infertility and Pregnancy Loss, Cognitive Processing Therapy for Trauma and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Perinatal Depression and Anxiety.
The result is an environment where you can learn, develop practical psychological skills, hear different perspectives, and discover that you may not be as alone in your experience as it sometimes feels.
What Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a form of psychological treatment in which a therapist works with several participants who share certain concerns, experiences, or treatment goals.
Unlike individual therapy, where the therapeutic relationship is primarily between the client and therapist, group therapy adds another valuable dimension: relationships and interactions among group members.
Participants can learn from the therapist, but they can also learn from one another.
Someone else may describe a feeling you have struggled to put into words. Another person's experience may help you recognize something about your own. You may discover that a thought you considered embarrassing or unusual is something several other people have experienced.
Sometimes being understood without having to explain everything can itself be meaningful.
Group therapy at Bridges Psychology is not simply an open conversation among people experiencing difficulties. Groups are structured around specific psychological concerns and incorporate evidence-based therapeutic principles and skills.
Group Therapy vs. a Support Group: What's the Difference?
The terms group therapy and support group are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not necessarily the same thing.
A support group is generally centered on mutual encouragement, shared experiences, and peer support. Some support groups are professionally facilitated, while others are led by peers or community organizations.
Group psychotherapy is a form of mental health treatment led by a qualified mental health professional. It typically has defined therapeutic goals and may incorporate established psychological treatments.
Both can be valuable.
At Bridges Psychology, groups are designed as therapeutic experiences that combine the benefits of human connection with evidence-based psychological approaches appropriate to the concerns being addressed.
Do I Have to Share Everything in Group Therapy?
Joining a group can feel intimidating, particularly if you are a private person.
People sometimes imagine that group therapy means immediately telling strangers the most personal details of their lives.
That is not the goal.
Trust develops over time.
Participants can learn by listening as well as speaking, and a skilled group therapist helps establish expectations around participation, respectful interaction, boundaries, and confidentiality.
As people become more comfortable, they may choose to participate more actively.
The purpose is not to pressure people into disclosure. It is to create an environment in which meaningful participation can develop safely and naturally.
Confidentiality and Group Therapy
Privacy is understandably one of the first concerns people have when considering group therapy.
The therapist has professional and ethical responsibilities regarding confidentiality and will explain relevant policies, expectations, and limitations before treatment begins.
Group members are also generally expected to respect the privacy of other participants and not discuss identifying information or personal stories outside the group.
Because other participants are not bound by professional confidentiality requirements in precisely the same way as a licensed clinician, the limits and expectations surrounding privacy should be clearly discussed before joining a group.
Understanding those expectations allows participants to make an informed decision about what they choose to share.
What Should I Expect From a Therapy Group?
Bridges Psychology offers groups periodically, rather than maintaining one continuous open group for every concern.
Groups typically consist of approximately 8–12 weekly sessions, allowing participants to develop skills and connections over time.
The structure of each group depends on its purpose and the therapeutic approach being used.
Sessions may include education about psychological concepts, discussion, guided exercises, mindfulness practices, cognitive or behavioral strategies, opportunities for reflection, and interaction among participants.
Because groups are focused on particular experiences, prospective participants may be screened before enrollment to help determine whether the group is an appropriate fit.
You Don't Have to Navigate Difficult Experiences Alone
It is possible to be surrounded by people and still feel profoundly alone in what you are experiencing.
Sometimes what helps is being in a space where you don't have to explain why something hurts.
Group therapy offers an opportunity to combine that sense of connection with structured psychological treatment.
For people experiencing symptoms of trauma, infertility, pregnancy loss, perinatal depression, or perinatal anxiety, a therapy group can provide a place to learn evidence-based skills while connecting with others navigating similar challenges.
At Bridges Psychology, groups are designed to provide thoughtful, professionally facilitated support that respects each participant's individual experience.
You do not have to have the same story as everyone else in the room.
Sometimes simply discovering that other people understand parts of your story can make the path ahead feel less solitary.
Group Therapy Fees
The group therapy rate at Bridges Psychology is $250 per group program.
Groups typically consist of 8–12 weekly sessions.
Because groups are offered periodically, availability and upcoming topics may vary. Prospective participants can contact Bridges Psychology to learn about current or planned group offerings and determine whether a particular group may be appropriate for their needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What types of therapy groups does Bridges Psychology offer?
Bridges Psychology periodically offers groups addressing specific psychological and life experiences. Evidence-based approaches offered include Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion for Infertility and Pregnancy loss, Cognitive Processing Therapy for Trauma and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Perinatal Depression and Anxiety. Group topics and availability may vary, so prospective participants should contact the practice regarding current or upcoming groups.
2. How is group therapy different from individual therapy?
Individual therapy provides one-on-one treatment focused specifically on you and your goals. Group therapy involves a therapist working with multiple participants who share related concerns or experiences. In addition to professional guidance, group members can benefit from hearing different perspectives, practicing skills, giving and receiving support, and realizing that others experience similar struggles.
3. Is group therapy confidential?
The therapist is bound by professional and ethical confidentiality requirements, subject to applicable exceptions, and group members are generally expected to respect one another's privacy. However, fellow participants do not have exactly the same professional confidentiality obligations as a licensed therapist. Bridges Psychology can explain confidentiality expectations and limitations before you decide whether to participate.
4. Can group therapy help with infertility, pregnancy loss, postpartum depression, or anxiety?
Group therapy can provide professional support, evidence-based psychological skills, and connection with people navigating similar experiences. Bridges Psychology offers approaches including Mindfulness-Based Self-Compassion for infertility and pregnancy loss and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for perinatal depression and anxiety. Whether a particular group is appropriate depends on the individual's circumstances and treatment needs.
5. How much does group therapy cost at Bridges Psychology?
The group therapy rate is $250 per group program, with groups typically consisting of 8–12 weekly sessions. Because groups are offered periodically, contact Bridges Psychology for information about upcoming groups, scheduling, and availability.