Group Therapy for Teens and Young Adults

Many teens who struggle with their mental health find it difficult to express how they feel and what they think. It can be hard to discuss such matters with family members and even friends. But, group therapy can help tremendously in this area.

Group sessions give group members the opportunity to improve their communication skills. Since group therapy takes place in a group setting, it requires individuals to speak with one another or a therapist. The success of this type of therapy is contingent on the communication of its members.

One of the most powerful aspects of group therapy for adolescents is the use of peer interaction as a tool for healing and recovery cannot be stressed enough. The need for peer relationships is stronger at this stage of human development than at any other. Group therapy creates opportunities for meaningful positive engagement and encouragement within group therapy sessions,

At Paradigm, we implement a social group modality that includes didactic, experiential, and interpersonal process-oriented work. With the professional guidance and encouragement of our therapists, adolescents frequently have a profoundly positive impact on each other’s ability to find value in approaching life differently and in meeting recovery goals.

Teen group therapy encourages younger people to move forward and keep pushing themselves to improve. In the company of other group members who are also facing challenges related to mental health challenges or substance abuse issues, teens often find the courage to be strong. They find the will to be strong for both themselves and for each other.

Young people find relief and peace in knowing that they’re not the only ones that struggle with these kinds of thoughts, beliefs, behaviors, or symptoms. Since this helps teens not to feel as isolated or “weird” compared to their peers, it can be a very powerful factor in helping teens to engage in their recovery and face their struggles honestly, rather than with resistance.

Group therapy allows teens to see that they are not alone. When they’re going through a hard time, they can talk to their new friends and fellow group members. They have a safe space where they don’t have to feel the pain of loneliness anymore.

Teen group therapy sessions also provide teens the opportunity to evaluate another person’s struggles from an external perspective, noticing in others the falsity of thoughts and beliefs that might also be present- but less noticeable- in themselves.

When people understand what others are going through, they are more likely to be an encouragement to them. When struggling teens are around other teens who are working to get better, they may find themselves striving to pursue their own recovery, as well.

It can be hard for younger people to feel comfortable opening up to others about their struggles. But there’s great value and healing in getting to be honest and open about one’s challenges. Group therapy for teens and young adults allows younger individuals to open up and experience non-judgment and acceptance from their peers.

Teens’ challenges with mental health illnesses often include some aspect of withdrawal from peers. We believe that the openness of group settings for therapy fosters the courage young individuals need to actively re-engage in their peer community. After all, this is a crucial aspect of recovery and healing.

Group therapy can help young individuals develop healthy coping skills as the group works together to improve their thought processes and patterns. Therapy groups encourage teens to respond to triggers and stressors in a healthy way.

For example, a group therapy session may equip a teen with the ability to deal with anxiety more calmly than before. Or, teens may learn how to deal with the effects of childhood trauma or other traumatic experiences in healthier ways.

Our teen group therapy sessions are often some of the most profound, powerful, and enjoyable times throughout recovery for the adolescents at Paradigm. These sessions provide our residents with an opportunity to give and receive.

Group sessions help teens to recognize that they still have something to offer others. This enables them to regain a sense of confidence and increased self-esteem. They learn to share honestly with their peers and to experience a sense of meaning and pride from encouraging others in their own healing.

Our uniquely small group settings and our intentional commitment to only treating a limited number of adolescents at a time allow our group sessions to be more effective. Rather than moving from group to group during their recovery, our teens routinely engage with the same small groups of peers. This allows creates a sense of community between your child and other group members. It also allows for authentic connections between the group and the therapist.

In effect, this means that even our support group therapy sessions maintain a concentrated, close dynamic that allows for very specific, specialized work to take place.