The Value of Support Groups

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A support group is a gathering of people, either in person or virtually, who have a common condition, issue, or life circumstance in order to receive and offer mutual support and coping skills. Support groups differ from psychotherapy groups, commonly referred to as “group therapy” in a number of ways.

For one, a psychotherapy group is based on a clinical diagnosis as determined by the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM), whereas a support group does not require a DSM diagnosis and is instead organized around a life theme, issue, or concern.

Only licensed mental health professionals can provide psychotherapy treatment, either individual or group therapy, whereas a support group may be facilitated by a professional or by peers depending upon the organization hosting the group.

Also, the fee for weekly support groups usually tends to be lower than the fee for an individual weekly psychotherapy session.

The Therapeutic Benefits of Support Groups

Due to the growing demand for mental health support, group models of care can be an effective modality to reach and help more people. In the era of teletherapy, virtual support groups can be utilized to reach a significant number of people who otherwise would be limited in their ability to receive any form of treatment.

Additionally, group models of treatment may be a more affordable way for clients who either lack health insurance coverage or who reside in an area with little if any access to care, to receive mental health support.

Most importantly, support groups can provide clients with a unique and vital form of therapeutic support, which I refer to as communal relational support that provides participants with:

1. the feeling that they are part of a larger community that accepts and values them for who they are.
2. the ability to receive and offer support and thus be empowered with a sense of relational vitality.
3. avenues to tap into our innate calling towards interconnectedness and to feel part of a bigger whole.

Additionally, support groups have been proven quite effective for a host of different issues. In a series of 11 meta-analyses conducted by Rosendhal, J., et al. (2021) encompassing 329 studies, group models of treatment were found to be effective in treating bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, grief, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and eating disorders.

Group models of treatment can also be effective in helping people who struggle with a history of discrimination and who are marginalized, such as members of the LGBTQ+, minority, and immigrant communities.

Support groups have never been more important. People are significantly more lonely and isolated than ever before. It is estimated that about 40 percent of the population in the U.S. have reported feeling lonely, a situation which is correlated with a significant increase in mental and health-related issues.

The growing trend of loneliness has many possible causes such as the reduction in attendance to spiritual practices and community organizations, the increased utilization and reliance on technology, and the increase in political distrust among different parties. Support groups thus provide another venue to seek out communal relational connection and support.

Overcoming Obstacles to Running Support Groups

Historically individual therapy has been recognized as the primary model of care for clients wanting to work on their mental health and well-being. According to research by Stephanie Pappas, clinicians often lack adequate training and awareness as to the benefits of facilitating support groups. Additionally, clinicians may be dissuaded due to the time, effort, and logistics it may require to form and run a support group. Also, some clinicians may feel uncomfortable and anxious about the responsibility required to lead or facilitate the group and manage the expectations of participants.

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Suggestions for forming and managing a support group:

1. Choose an issue, problem, or population to which you as a clinician feel a connection to and to which you feel drawn.
2. Connect with a mentor or supervisor to discuss the emotional and logistical challenges that may be triggered when facilitating a support group.
3. Clarify screening processes for participants to ensure the appropriateness of fit with the group. Some clients may require a higher level of care or have other crises or situations that would be better addressed individually before joining a group.
4. Decide what format you wish the group to follow. Different formats can be either a process group which focuses on the relational dynamics between group members, psychoeducational, experiential, or support and skills group.
5. Identify the topics and issues you would like to address and have a tentative plan for each session.
6. Establish whether the group is an “open” one which new members can join at any time, or if it is a “closed” group members can only join at the beginning.
7. Specify the group goals, rules, and issues regarding confidentiality. Clients should all sign a consent form agreeing to the goals and rules of the group. This is a key issue as clients need to trust that their confidentiality and safety are a top priority
8. Create opportunities for members of the group to share their goals and intentions for the group and what they chose to join.
9. Develop and promote group cohesion. During the initial phases of the support group, the facilitator may need to be more proactive in ensuring that everyone is heard and assisting members who are shy or naturally introverted to have a voice and participate in the group in ways commensurate with others.
10. It is vital that groups have a culture of kindness, compassion, and understanding and value vulnerability. These are cultural attributes that need to be protected and also modeled by the facilitator.
11. If a rupture occurs between members and/or the facility, ensure that it is handled with care and compassion by first listening, understanding, acknowledging, and trying to learn from each experience. Learning to manage conflict effectively can be a huge benefit of support groups.
12. It is important that members have the ability to integrate their awareness into their everyday lives. For example, members who have a positive experience at managing conflict in the group can now experiment with applying it in their daily life
13. It is important to have a healthy termination process in which members acknowledge their growth and process their feelings about ending treatment. During this phase, members can express appreciation to group members for the support they have provided either through direct feedback and/or inspiration. Members can also discuss their hopes and intentions for themselves and the group as a whole.

Support groups have the ability to offer support for the growing mental health demands of our times. Group models of treatment have exhibited clinical effectiveness in treating various mental health conditions and offer support to many people who struggle with emotional difficulties and loneliness.

Most importantly, support groups can offer communal relational support which can have significant benefits and can effectively augment individual therapy. Support groups can be a powerful way for participants to gain emotional support and validation, strengthen social connections, experience stress reduction, learn new coping skills, discover new information about themselves, and feel empowered.

To find a therapist, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.