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Writer's pictureJanelle Brady, MS, LMFT

An Experienced Bay Area Therapist Shares The Myriad of Compelling Benefits Participating in Group Therapy Offers:

Updated: Sep 20

Have you ever considered participating in group therapy and wondered if it would be “worth it”?


Let an experienced therapist in the Bay Area share the unique opportunity participating in group therapy provides individuals. From connection, encouragement and validation to learning from the unparalleled exposure of diverse life experiences and perspectives. Peer support is transformative in mental health.


Here are just a few of the many benefits Group Therapy offers:




Participating in therapy, with a positive experience, sets a great tone for children, teens, and young adults to continue maintaining their mental and behavior health lifelong.


Research also suggests various benefits in healing while helping others; there is a unique increase in self-worth as a result of having a positive impact on others. 


Peer Social Skills & Group Therapy is an effective form of treatment. Group members have the opportunity to observe and learn directly from one another. Peers are able to further test various social experiences in a safe setting. Individuals are also able to develop relationships while practicing social skills with peers that are working towards similar goals. Practice relating to others, honesty, various interpersonal skills, resolving conflict, coping with termination while group is coming to an end.


Small group therapy provides A Safe & Structured Social Environment, where group members can freely ask questions and share their personal experiences. Group Therapy often focuses on building social skills, utilizing modeling and positive reinforcement. Group therapy members are provided an opportunity to connect with one another; group therapy members often share various commonalities, help validate and normalize their experiences and feelings, while also learning from one another. Participants often feel less isolated, vulnerable, helpless, and more validated while participating in group therapy together.  


Group therapy is a very unique experience. It provides Support and Validation. Engaging with others that share similar challenges can provide essential validation, a stronger sense of authentic understanding, and inimitable support. Participating in group therapy can help individuals realize that they are not alone in their struggles. Group members can offer valuable Feedback, Encouragement, and Accountability to one another, fostering personal growth and development.


Universality: Participation in group therapy helps individuals see that they are not alone in their feelings and experiences. Group Therapy helps individuals that suffer from depression or anxiety (Resources | Therapy with Janelle Brady | Pleasant Hill, CA |) understand that there are other people that experience similar ruminating, overwhelming, sometimes maybe even scary thoughts. They are not alone in feeling numb, lost, angry while also sad, hopeless, and helpless. Participating in group therapy can help in reducing feelings of isolation, while representing a sense of belonging.


Participating in group therapy exposes individuals to Diverse Perspectives and a variety of life experiences, offering new insights, providing opportunities to learn alternative coping strategies. Social Skills Development: Group therapy provides unique opportunities to practice social skills in a safe and supportive environment, collect feedback from peers, helping individuals improve their communication and interpersonal skills, while manage differing points of views and peer relationships.



Group Therapy is also effective beyond informal support groups as group therapy is led by licensed mental health professionals with specialized training. Group Therapy is structured with evidence-based research. Group Therapy is often a closed group, meaning the same members from start to finish, so you are able to build an authentic sense of trust and meaningful relationships. Closed group therapy also assists in reducing overall fears of participating and increasing comfort in self-disclosure. Typically group therapy have a pre-determined number of sessions/weeks individuals commit to participate.


Group therapy is often more Cost-Effective than individual therapy, making it a more affordable & accessible option for many people.


Participating in therapy, with a positive experience, sets a great tone for children, teens, and young adults to continue maintaining their mental and behavior health lifelong.  Groups promotes increased overall independence in typical daily social skills as well as assists in building and maintaining healthy friendships and relationships.


Mental Health is an imperative part of overall health to remain mindful of, but therapists are very limited.


According to The State of Mental Health in America | Mental Health America (mhanational.org) "There are 340 people for every 1 mental health provider in the U.S. However, these figures may be an overestimate of active mental health professionals, as it may include providers who are no longer practicing or accepting new patients."







Like what we talked about today? Check out related articles: Blog | Therapy with Janelle Brady | Pleasant Hill, CA | 



A free consultation with a Therapist in Walnut Creek, CA.


Are you looking for a compassionate and effective therapist in the Walnut Creek, CA area to overcome depression? I’m not the therapist that will ask you how you feel every day. Instead, we work together as a team to make concrete improvements in reducing your symptoms and enjoying life again.


As an experienced practitioner with 13 years of experience and a background in Applied Behavior Analysis, I often implement data tracking, ensuring clinical progression & increasing your awareness in your growth. I specialize in providing supportive therapy with a touch of humor. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, trained in EMDR, & evidenced based techniques including CBT & DBT to help facilitate your treatment goals with a solution focused approach.


Specialties include depression, anxiety, autism, trauma, ABA, and IEP consultations.  





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