Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective and evidence-based approach to treating a variety of psychological difficulties and disorders.
While CBT can be delivered in individual therapy sessions, its adaptation to group settings has become increasingly popular.
Group CBT has its own benefits by effecting individual change through its unique communal group setting. The individual can, thus, access peer support and refine relational skills whilst improving his/her/their cognitive and emotional well-being.
Understanding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
In the realm of mental health care, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) shines as a guiding light, offering a structured and evidence-based approach to understanding and improving our emotional well-being.
CBT is a transformative therapeutic framework that explores the profound interconnectedness of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Grounded in the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all interconnected, CBT aims to help individuals identify and change certain cognitive thought patterns and behaviors to improve emotional well-being.
Benefits of Group CBT Compared to Individual Sessions
CBT has proven to be an effective treatment for various disorders such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
In group settings, CBT has additional benefits compared to individual sessions.
Firstly, group CBT can create a sense of community, supporting clients to feel less isolated. Sharing experiences with others facing similar challenges promotes validation and empathy, fostering a supportive space to heal.
This experience can be empowering for individual group members as they are also able to contribute to the healing of other members of the group. For example, by sharing their own experience and/or offering empathy.
Group therapy also provides opportunities for participants to learn by practicing CBT tools that foster new ways of thinking and/or behaving in a safe setting.
This can lead to increased awareness, as clients observe and reflect on their own thought processes and the impact of their behavior on others.
Another advantage of group CBT is cost-effectiveness. Group therapy is generally more affordable than individual therapy, making CBT’s benefits more accessible to a broader range of clients.
Additionally, group settings allow therapists to reach more individuals at once, maximizing resources and potentially addressing unmet individual and structural mental health needs in communities.
Structure of a CBT Group Therapy Session
The structure of a CBT group therapy session may vary depending on the specific needs of the clients and the therapist’s approach.
Nevertheless, there are some common elements that can be expected in most group CBT sessions.
Introduction and Check-in
Groups are usually closed, meaning the group will not change over the course of the program (facilitating safety and predictability).
At the beginning of the first session, the therapist usually contracts ground rules (supporting and securing, for example, confidentiality) and facilitates group members’ introduction and check-ins (who’s who).
If groups are open, the therapists will usually start each session with a brief introduction, which may involve new members introducing themselves and existing members providing updates on their progress. Also, briefly reminding group members of the ground rules.
Participants may share their experiences since the last session, discussing any challenges or successes they encountered.
Review of the Previous Session
Therapists often review the key concepts and skills discussed in the previous session to reinforce learning and maintain continuity.
This allows participants to clarify any misunderstandings or ask questions about implementing the strategies in their daily lives.
Presentation of New Material
The therapist then introduces new information, concepts, or skills related to the specific focus of the group.
This could include discussing different types of cognitive distortions, learning relaxation techniques, or practicing problem-solving strategies.
Therapeutic material is often presented through lectures, interactive discussions, or hands-on activities.
Group Practice and Exercises
Participants have the opportunity to practice new skills within the group setting, often through role-plays, group discussions, or other interactive exercises.
These activities allow participants to observe and learn from each other and give them a chance to receive feedback from both peers and the therapist.
Wrap-up and Homework
Therapists typically end each session by summarizing the material covered, ensuring all members have a clear understanding of the new concepts or skills.
Homework assignments are often provided to help participants consolidate their learning and practice new skills in their day-to-day lives.
Hand-outs are usually circulated ensuring that individual members can return to the material at any given time.
Overall, group CBT sessions aim to create a supportive, structured, and informative environment where individuals can develop healthy coping skills, enhance their understanding of cognitive-behavioral therapy principles, and work together to improve their mental well-being.
Disorders Addressed
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a widely used therapeutic approach that has been successfully applied to treat various mental health disorders.
CBT can provide additional benefits in a group setting, like social support and shared learning experiences, enhancing its effectiveness.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health concerns and encompass various conditions, such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and specific phobias.
Group CBT has demonstrated positive outcomes in treating these conditions by targeting dysfunctional thoughts and maladaptive behaviors while fostering a supportive environment for learning coping strategies and skills.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders like bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder (BED) can also be treated effectively using group CBT.
Group CBT can lead to significant improvements in disorder-related symptoms and lead to good treatment.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that develops in response to experiencing a traumatic event or, in the case of Complex PTSD, prolonged and/or repeated exposure to stressful, frightening, or distressing events.
Group CBT has been shown to help individuals with PTSD by focusing on trauma-related thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, providing a supportive environment where participants can share experiences, learn about the effects of trauma, and learn coping skills to deal with dysregulation or overwhelm in everyday life.
Substance Use Disorders
Substance use disorders often involve complex interrelationships between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Group CBT can be an effective approach to address these issues, fostering healthier coping mechanisms and providing the opportunity for peer support.
Mood Disorders
Mood disorders such as bipolar disorder (BD), previously known as manic depression, can benefit from group CBT. Research suggests that persons struggling with BD can gain an improved quality of life.
In these cases, CBT supports the individual to gain a better understanding of one’s thoughts, perceptions, and relational behavior. This is in support of stabilizing mood and emotions, improving emotional regulation, and enhancing interpersonal relationships.
Group CBT can effectively complement other treatment modalities and proves to be a supportive resource in maintaining long-term stability.
Personality Disorders
Treatment of personality disorders like borderline personality disorder can also incorporate group CBT.
By addressing dysfunctional thought patterns, emotional regulation, and interpersonal relationship issues, this approach can help individuals with personality disorders develop more effective coping strategies and improve overall functioning.
Techniques Used
CBT can be successfully implemented in group settings, where multiple individuals with similar psychological concerns come together to participate in structured sessions led by a therapist.
This section outlines some of the key CBT techniques commonly employed in group settings.
Exposure
Exposure is a technique where individuals are gradually exposed to feared situations or stimuli in a controlled and safe environment.
This helps the participants to understand their fear- and/or anxiety-based responses and eventually reduce fear and/or anxiety by confronting the feared situation or object.
Exposure can be done in real-life situations or through imagining scenarios within the therapy setting. Our bodies respond similarly to physical and imagined stimuli, meaning imagining the feared scenario may be as effective in exposure work as real-life exposure.
Homework Assignments
Homework assignments are an essential aspect of CBT. Group members are encouraged to practice the techniques or exercises they have learned during therapy sessions at home. Learning new ways of thinking and behaving takes practice and time.
Homework can involve tracking negative thoughts (mentally and/or in reflective writing), practicing relaxation techniques, or implementing behavioral changes.
Regularly completing homework aids in the development of new skills and reinforces learning acquired during sessions.
Cognitive Restructuring
Cognitive restructuring aims to identify and modify irrational beliefs, automatic negative thoughts, and maladaptive thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress or problematic behaviors.
In a group setting, participants share their thoughts and learn from each other’s experiences. Together and individually, clocking negative thoughts and finding ways to explore and experience different ways of thinking.
Through guided discussions and psycho-education, a therapist helps the group members identify specific cognitive distortions and develop alternative, balanced perspectives.
Examples of cognitive distortions that CBT might help with include black-and-white thinking and catastrophizing.
Relaxation Training
Relaxation training equips group members with embodied techniques to reduce stress and anxiety effectively.
These methods may include deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness practices.
Relaxation training helps individuals gain emotional regulation skills and cope with distressing situations more efficiently.
Psychoeducation
In a CBT group, participants learn to recognize the connection between their thoughts, physical sensations, feelings and behavior.
They understand how negative thoughts can lead to emotional discomfort and drive maladaptive behaviors.
By identifying these thought patterns and working to replace them with more rational and balanced thoughts, group members can better manage their emotional reactions.
CBT Group Therapy for Different Age Groups
Group CBT can benefit individuals of different age groups, creating a collaborative space where shared experiences and collective support bolster the therapeutic process.
Children
CBT has been found to be an effective treatment for children struggling with anxiety and other mental health conditions and difficulties.
In this age group (7-14 years), group-based CBT can support children to manage upsetting thoughts and/or unhelpful behavior. Supporting emotional literacy and increased understanding of the child’s experience in the world.
It allows them to interact with their peers, providing a supportive environment in which they can practice social skills and improve their relational skills which may positively impact their self-esteem.
The group setting also makes it more efficient for therapists to provide treatment, as they can reach a larger number of children at once. This also enhances the accessibility of psychological support.
Young Adolescents
For young adolescents, group CBT has been shown to be effective in treating various issues, including depression and anxiety.
The group format provides young adolescents with an opportunity to connect with their peers who are facing similar challenges, potentially fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support.
Moreover, group CBT allows them to learn effective coping strategies for negative thinking, difficult feelings, and behaviors.
Adults
Group CBT has proven to be an effective method of talking therapy for adults. It is widely used in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.
Due to its structured and well-researched nature, group CBT offers a safe environment where adult participants can learn and apply practical tools to manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This also includes physical sensations accompanying feeling (e.g., managing increased heart rates associated with anxiety).
They can benefit from the support and encouragement of their fellow group members, allowing them to face their challenges with greater confidence.
In addition, the efficacy of CBT, when compared to other therapies, highlights its potential as a valuable treatment option for adults across various age groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does CBT group therapy address social anxiety?
Group CBT has been found to be an effective method for addressing social anxiety.
In a supportive group setting, therapists help individuals identify and replace negative thoughts and beliefs with more balanced and positive ones. Also gradually practicing safe and controlled exposure, i.e., being in a group socially.
Participants learn and practice social skills, relaxation techniques, and exposure exercises to gradually face their fears in social situations.
The group environment provides opportunities for individuals to share experiences, give and receive feedback, and gain valuable insights from others dealing with similar issues.
Are there CBT group therapy resources for depression and anxiety?
Yes, there are numerous resources available for individuals seeking CBT group therapy for depression and anxiety.
These resources may include psychoeducational material, self-supportive workbooks and exercises. There are also online platforms such as 7cups, Circles, or Monument, offering structured group programs.
What should I expect when participating in CBT group therapy?
Participating in CBT group therapy typically involves attending weekly or-bi-weekly sessions led by one or more therapists and/or mental health professionals.
In these sessions, participants are guided through skill-building exercises, dialogues and discussions, and homework exercises designed to help them understand and manage their thoughts, behaviors, and emotions.
It is important to note that the exact structure of each CBT group program will be unique based on the specific issues being addressed, as well as the preferences of the therapists and participants.
Where can I find nearby CBT group therapy sessions?
There are several ways to find CBT group therapy sessions near you.
One option is to consult your general practitioner, therapist, or mental health professional for recommendations.
Additionally, online directories and databases, such as those maintained by professional associations or government agencies, can give you information on available therapists and mental health clinics offering group therapy.
Some mental health organizations also offer online or phone support to help you find a suitable group therapy program.
References
Deblinger, E., Pollio, E., & Dorsey, S. (2016). Applying trauma-focused cognitive–behavioral therapy in group format. Child maltreatment, 21(1), 59-73. Link.
Pawluk, E. J., & McCabe, R. E. (2021). Cognitive behavioral group therapy. Link.
