Group therapy is collaborative and evidenced-based, mental health treatment approach used to support and guide individuals in addressing challenges such as depression, anxiety, grief, addiction, anger, life transitions, and other psychosocial stressors. Groups are facilitated by a mental health professional that guides, teaches and helps promote change for a set of individuals that have shared experiences or difficulties, and allows individuals to learn from their peers. The modality of group therapy can range from supportive, psychoeducational, and process-oriented to more skill-building or instructional.
Group services can be used as stand-alone treatment or can be integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes individual therapy and/or medication management. Groups are recommended at any stage of treatment, whether at the start of a mental health journey or as a step down from individual services.
Group therapy sessions are led by mental health professionals who use therapeutic techniques to help the group members cope with their problems.
Online group therapy offers several benefits such as convenience, cost-effectiveness, support, feedback, and skill-building opportunities.
- Support: Group therapy can provide a sense of support and validation, as individuals realize that they are not alone in their struggles and can receive support from others who are going through similar experiences.
- Feedback: Group therapy can provide valuable feedback from other group members, who can offer different perspectives, insights, and coping strategies.
- Improved social skills: Group therapy can help improve social skills and communication abilities, as individuals practice interacting and sharing their thoughts and feelings in a safe and supportive environment.
- Cost-effective: Group therapy can be more cost-effective than individual therapy, as the costs of the therapist's time are shared among the group members.
Brave Health offers more than 40 therapist-led therapy groups. Our groups are designed to help individuals cope with the following mental health stressors and difficult life experiences, including:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Chronic Illness
- Depression
- Domestic Violence
- Divorce
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Grief
- Insomnia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Smoking cessation
- Substance use disorder
- Suicidal ideation
Brave Health also has therapy groups organized by special populations, including:
- LGBTQIA+
- Men
- Motherhood
- Parenting
- Parenting children with special needs
- Teens
- Women
Brave Health provides fully virtual services through our telehealth platform. Patients only require a smartphone, computer, or tablet to have a telehealth therapy or a telehealth medication management video appointment.
As with in-person appointments, during the session, the provider asks questions to evaluate the patient's needs and presents treatment options to meet their goals.
Online group therapy can be an effective form of treatment for many mental health conditions. Research has shown that group therapy can be as effective as individual therapy for a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The American Psychiatric Association has noted that group therapy may even be more effective than individual therapy because it provides opportunities for peer support, feedback, and social learning.
Both Medicare and Medicaid recognize the benefits of online group therapy and consider it a valid form of treatment for a wide range of mental health conditions. However, the specific coverage varies depending on the state and the type of plan that a person has.
It's best to check with your insurance provider to confirm coverage for group therapy and to learn about any limitations or requirements that may apply.
Brave Health groups meet one hour each week via our secure telehealth platform. The length of group treatment varies on the group topic and on the individual’s need. Group sizes range anywhere from 3 to 15 participants and we offer groups to both teens and adults unless otherwise specified.
Individuals can enroll in group therapy after completing an initial mental health assessment. Upon admission to Brave Health, individuals can self-refer to a group or discuss group needs, options, and enrollment with their therapist or medication management provider.
