Counselling vs Therapy vs Psychotherapy: What’s the Difference?
Counselling, therapy and psychotherapy overlap, but they are not identical. What each involves, who provides it in the UK and how to choose what suits you.
Group Therapy Explained: Types, Benefits and What to Expect
What group therapy is, the main types from CBT courses to support groups, how sessions work, benefits and drawbacks, and how to find a group in the UK.
Key takeaways
- Group therapy brings together a small group with one or two trained facilitators to work on shared difficulties.
- NICE includes several group treatments among the options for depression, such as group CBT and group mindfulness.
- You share at your own pace; many people find hearing others’ experiences is one of the most helpful parts.
On this page
Group therapy is a form of talking therapy in which a small group of people, usually around 6 to 12, meet regularly with one or two trained facilitators. Some groups teach skills, such as managing anxiety or low mood; others focus on sharing experiences and learning from how members relate to each other. Group therapy can be as helpful as one-to-one therapy for some problems, and it’s widely used in the NHS, charities and private practice.
Types of group
| Type | What it’s like | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Skills and psychoeducation courses | Structured, often like a class, with information and practice | Stress management and CBT-based courses in NHS Talking Therapies |
| CBT and behavioural activation groups | Structured sessions working on thoughts, behaviour and routine | Group CBT for depression or anxiety |
| Mindfulness-based groups | Guided practice and discussion over several weeks | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for people who’ve had recurrent depression |
| Skills groups within wider programmes | Part of a longer treatment | Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) skills groups |
| Psychodynamic or group-analytic groups | Less structured; members explore feelings and relationships as they arise in the group | Long-term therapy groups |
| Support and peer groups | Led by volunteers or people with lived experience; supportive rather than therapy | Bereavement, carers’ and condition-specific groups |
NICE’s guideline on depression in adults lists group CBT, group behavioural activation, group exercise and group mindfulness among the treatment options for less severe depression, and suggests group MBCT to help some people who are well stay well. Our guide to counselling for depression explains the full range of options.
How a group works
- Size: usually 6 to 12 members.
- Leaders: one or two facilitators with therapy training.
- Sessions: often weekly, 60 to 120 minutes.
- Length: structured courses often run for around 6 to 12 weeks; long-term therapy groups can continue for months or years.
- Closed or open: closed groups start and finish with the same members; open groups welcome new people over time.
- Ground rules: members usually agree to keep what’s said confidential, respect each other, attend regularly and let the group know if they’re leaving.
Why groups help
The psychiatrist Irvin Yalom, whose work on group therapy is widely taught, described several factors that make groups helpful. They include:
- Universality: discovering you’re not the only one who feels this way
- Hope: seeing others make progress
- Learning from others: picking up ideas and coping strategies from members
- Helping others: the boost of being useful to someone else
- Practising new ways of relating in a safe setting
Groups can also be available sooner than individual therapy and cost less privately.
Possible drawbacks
- Less individual time to talk about your own situation
- Nerves about speaking in front of others, especially at first
- Not every group fits; personalities and needs vary
- Confidentiality depends on members, not only on the facilitator
Groups may not be the right first step if you’re in crisis or need intensive individual support. A facilitator will usually meet or speak with you first to check the group suits you.
Your first session
Expect introductions, an explanation of how the group works and the ground rules. You won’t be forced to share anything; many people mostly listen at first. It’s normal to feel nervous. Our guide to what happens in a first counselling session covers similar ground for one-to-one therapy.
Confidentiality in groups
Facilitators are bound by their professional codes, and members agree to keep what’s said in the group private. Because members aren’t professionals, it’s sensible to share at a level you’re comfortable with. The same safety exceptions apply as in individual therapy; our guide to confidentiality in counselling explains them.
Getting the most from a group
- Attend regularly. Groups work best when members show up.
- Share at your own pace, a little more each time as trust builds.
- Listen actively and offer feedback kindly.
- Try out what you learn between sessions.
- Talk to the facilitator if something feels uncomfortable.
Group or individual therapy?
| Group | Individual | |
|---|---|---|
| Time to talk | Shared | All yours |
| Learning from peers | A key benefit | Not available |
| Cost (private) | Usually lower | Higher |
| Availability | Often sooner | Can involve waits |
| Best for | Shared difficulties, skills, connection | Complex or very personal issues |
Some people combine both. Our guide to CBT explains the approach used in many groups, and counselling for anxiety covers anxiety-focused options.
Finding a group in the UK
- NHS Talking Therapies (England): many services run group courses, which you can often join by self-referral.
- Your GP: can tell you about local NHS groups.
- Charities: for example, Mind offers local groups and peer support, and Cruse Bereavement Support runs bereavement groups; see our guide to grief counselling.
- Private therapists: some counsellors and psychotherapists run therapy groups; check their registration as described in how to find a counsellor in the UK.
- Online groups: increasingly common and useful if travel is difficult.
If you need help now
If you feel unable to keep yourself safe, call 999 or go to A&E. You can call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time, or text SHOUT to 85258. In England, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to talk in group therapy?
No. You can listen until you feel ready. Most people find it becomes easier after a few sessions.
Is group therapy as effective as individual therapy?
For some problems, such as depression, group treatments are among the options NICE recommends. The best choice depends on your needs and preferences.
What if I know someone in the group?
Tell the facilitator. They can help you decide whether to stay, and how to handle confidentiality if you do.
Sources
Every article is edited by a human and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
Keep reading
CBT Explained: What to Expect From Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy explained: how CBT works, what sessions involve, homework and techniques, what it helps with, how long it takes and its limits.
Couples Counselling: When and How It Helps
What couples counselling involves, signs it could help, what happens in sessions, common approaches, how to find a counsellor in the UK and what it costs.