Group Counseling or Individual Counseling? Pros and Cons

When going through a rough patch, you need a support network to help you process and manage the thoughts and emotions that come with it. Going through hardship alone can increase the sense of isolation, and it can deprive you of the wisdom and perspective that comes from garnering insight from others, including those who’ve had similar experiences. In such cases group counseling may be of help.

Group counseling is one of the avenues you can take to get the support you need as you work through things. This article will describe group counseling alongside individual counseling, to help you decide which will work best for you.

Group counseling unpacked

Group counseling is a form of talk therapy in which a group of between five and fifteen individuals gather at least once a week for about an hour to work through a topic or issue that all the group members are dealing with. Some of those issues and concerns will be detailed below. The group is guided by 1-2 counselors who have training in handling group therapy, and the counselor(s) works to make the group a safe space for every member.

In group counseling, every member is given an opportunity to contribute to the discussion. As each member has had some experience with the issue, they can share their insights and questions with the other group members. It is thus quite interactive, and part of the counselor’s role is to ensure that the group feels safe enough for every member to contribute and that no one member dominates the conversation.

Depending on how it’s been set up, you will likely encounter two kinds of groups. Some groups are closed, and that means until the group runs its course, no new members will join the group. This helps create a sense of continuity and familiarity, which helps if you need stability to help you feel safe.

The other type of group is an open group. In this type of group, you might have a revolving membership, and you can never know what personalities you’ll encounter. If you’re okay with navigating shifting group dynamics, then an open group might be more to your liking.

Some of the issues that will be tackled in group counseling include the following:

• Depression.
• Grief.
• Anxiety and anxiety disorders and phobias.
• Premarital counseling.
• Marital discord.
• Substance abuse.
• Anger management.
• Chronic pain.
• Body image issues.
• Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating disorder.
• Family issues including sibling interactions, abandonment issues, and resentment.
• Divorce.
• Trauma, which includes sexual assault, physical abuse, or the death of a loved one.
• Domestic abuse.

If you want to find out whether your concern is covered in a particular group, speak with a counselor who runs group counseling sessions to learn more.

Differences between individual and group counseling

From the above, some of the differences between individual and group counseling should be apparent. In individual counseling, you have the exclusive attention of the counselor, which isn’t the case with group counseling. Individual counseling thus gives you the opportunity to be thorough, and your counselor will develop a highly individualized approach to treatment that will meet your needs.

Some of the other differences between the two include:

Flexible scheduling

Individual counseling allows for more flexible scheduling and to have the sessions at the best time possible for them. As group counseling involves several others, the available sessions might not be optimally timed. Appointments can also be arranged quickly in case of an emergency when it’s just you and your counselor.

A strong, versus a broad therapeutic alliance

The term “therapeutic alliance” refers to the working relationship between the individual and their counselor. A therapeutic alliance is a key aspect that feeds into the success of counseling. Individual counseling will often provide a strong therapeutic alliance, while group counseling typically has a broad therapeutic alliance, allowing for multiple perspectives.

Confidentiality

In individual counseling, what you share remains private. In counseling,  with a group there is less confidentiality even though group members are instructed to keep matters confidential.

Cost

Of the two, individual counseling tends to be the more expensive option.

Peer interactions

Group counseling allows interaction with peers going through the same thing. In a group, you receive the assurance that you aren’t alone, and you can both give and receive support. Interacting with peers also enables you to develop better self-awareness and listening skills.

Which is right for you?

Despite the differences, both group and individual counseling are effective in helping you overcome your concerns and issues. They both address the same concerns, and it will come down to which is a better fit for you. If the option is available, try both and see what works best. Additionally, just because you go to one doesn’t mean you can’t still use the other.

If you’re struggling with certain issues, reach out to a counselor for help, whether that help comes in the form of group or individual counseling. Call our office today at Rockwall Christian Counseling to schedule an appointment with a Christian counselor in Rockwall, Texas.