Group therapy is when therapeutic intervention is delivered to multiple clients at once. Anywhere from two to as many as a dozen people can participate in group therapy simultaneously. Groups can be fixed, meaning the same people remain in the group for a set period of time. Alternatively, they may be open and different participants can cycle in and out as needed. Often, group therapy occurs in mixed-gender settings, just like most treatment programs more generally. However, some program providers offer group therapy for women.
At The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®, we specialize in providing gender-specific treatment options for the women in our care. With this treatment, women are able to overcome addiction, mental health concerns, and trauma. Find out why group therapy for women can be a powerful component of addiction treatment by calling 855.773.0614.
Benefits of Group Therapy for Women
Many women find individual therapy intimidating. In addition, not everyone in addiction recovery benefits from individual therapy to the same degree. That’s where group therapy for women comes in, as it offers a collaborative approach to healing. A few benefits of group therapy for women are outlined below.
Provides Mutual Support Opportunities
Group therapy provides women with a loving, respectful environment. They can emotionally support fellow participants as they also receive emotional support. Helping others even as you receive support and care is also a great way to improve self-worth and boost self-esteem. Women attending group therapy may feel helpful and needed during a recovery process that otherwise can make people feel as if they are just a burden to those around them.
Combats Isolation
Struggling with addiction can be lonely and make people feel as if they are the only ones facing their challenges. One of the most important benefits of group therapy for women is providing space for women to be themselves. They don’t need to uphold societal norms or express themselves in ways the world expects them to.
Offers Relational Focus
Group therapy’s community atmosphere makes it naturally focused on improving interpersonal skills and helping women repair any relational damage their addiction may have caused. It is a safe space to relearn many of the life skills addiction has interfered with.
Reduces Financial Stress in Seeking Treatment
Group therapy is naturally more cost-effective than individual therapy as clinicians can deliver the same level of care but to multiple people at once. That efficiency means costs are lower, which in turn makes group therapy for women a more accessible financial option.
Support Groups for Women
Support groups for women are similar to group therapy for women. The main difference is that group therapy is always delivered by a certified medical professional, whereas support groups may be community organized and need not involve trained medical professionals. A few other details separate support groups from formal group therapy, including:
- They tend to offer a more relaxed environment and may even meet somewhere informal like a residence or community center
- They usually focus more on encouragement and positivity
- Support may be delivered in-person, virtually, or using a blended approach
- Support group facilitators act as guides instead of clinicians
One specific type of support group for women is group coaching. This style is usually more structured than a general support group, though members are responsible for co-creating an agenda for each meeting. Moreover, group coaching focuses on the present and future rather than diving into participants’ past experiences or challenges. This makes it a better fit for women who are farther along in their recovery journey.
Yet another type of support group for women is women’s circles. These are perhaps the most informal type of support group, and the least hierarchical as all participants are expected to share equal responsibility. Circles typically spend time in deliberate activities like yoga, meditation, art, or journaling.
Begin Healing at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®
You don’t have to struggle with your condition any longer. With the help of group therapy for women, you can begin the healing process. To learn more about the different types of support groups for women and how each contributes to the recovery process, call The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® at 855.773.0614.