What Is Online Group Therapy and How Does It Work? What's more, where can you find it?

What is the definition of online group therapy?

"A mental health practitioner, such as a psychologist, social worker, counsellor, or psychiatrist, meets with a group of patients online and conducts psychotherapy," explains J. Ryan Fuller, PhD, a clinical psychologist at New York Behavioral Health.

You would attend a group on the internet, usually via video chat, rather than going to a therapist's office in person (although this might involve voice calls and chat room discussions, too).

It's crucial to note that, while online group therapy may involve other people dealing with similar problems, it will always be led by a mental health professional.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has made online group therapy a necessity, research have indicated that digital treatments are actually better for some people.

Only 44.5 percent of patients preferred in-person care, according to a 2019 survey.

The epidemic, according to Mike Delaney, Clinical Director of Delamere Health, has altered the therapeutic environment.

"During COVID-19, online support groups really came into their own.... Therapists pivoted and changed their technique to operate virtually, like Zoom or FaceTime," he says. "I used to believe that I needed to be able to sense a person's energy in order to work with them intuitively, but COVID-19 has shown me that this isn't the case."

Online group therapy, like any other therapy session, will be tailored to a person's specific requirements and will allow them to examine their condition with others. The following are some of the conditions that may be treated using online group therapy:

depression
Panic attacks and anxiety disorders
eating disorders
chronic pain
Self-harm,
substance abuse,
chronic sickness
long-term and terminal illnesses are all examples of self-harm.

What's the difference between a support group and a group therapy?

"The involvement of a mental health professional who acts as a group facilitator is the fundamental difference between group therapy and a support group." "You can't have a therapy group without an educated and professional therapist," says Eric Patterson, LPC.

Peer-led online support groups are common.

"Support groups may offer a number of services, including educational materials, consultations, group therapy, team building exercises, and other resources to teach individuals how to manage with their illnesses," according to the World Health OrganizationTrusted Source.

As a result, many people may be interested in exploring online support groups as a complementary treatment to online group therapy.

What are the advantages of using an online group treatment programme?

Online group therapy has numerous advantages, particularly when visiting medical professionals face-to-face is difficult or impossible, as it is during a pandemic.

There are little accessibility hurdles because the therapy sessions are delivered over the internet, and there is no need to travel to an appointment.

"The most significant advantage of online group therapy is its convenience. "It allows people who might otherwise be unable to dedicate the time to attend in-person treatment to do so," explains Jeremy Barnett, LMH, CASAC, a Help.org expert.

"Moreover, for someone who is unable to leave the house for any reason, such as depression, anxiety, or other mental health difficulties," Barnett says, "online group therapy is more accessible."

Additionally, online group therapy sessions offer a higher level of secrecy.

"Waiting rooms and entering and exiting a facility are common in in-person groups," Fuller notes. "In those instances, some persons may be anxious about being identified. Members may feel more at ease with online counselling because they can conduct it from the comfort of their own home."

Attending online group therapy could be a good first step for people who want to pursue in-person group therapy in the future.

"An online support group might help someone feel more at ease expressing themselves," Delaney continues, "leading up to a face-to-face meeting at a later point."

Who can benefit from internet therapy?

Online group therapy could be beneficial for anyone considering treatment, especially if they are hesitant to meet with a therapist one-on-one or if they work best in a group setting.

"For many people, group therapy is an excellent choice because it combines the benefits of therapy with the peer support of engaging with others who have similar difficulties and struggles," Patterson adds. "People in group treatment settings appreciate the variety of input they can get from the therapist and other group members."

Online counselling can be beneficial for a variety of situations.

According to Fuller, "some scientific data indicates that online counselling is just as successful as in-person therapy." "Group therapy for anxiety, depression, rage, self-injury, and eating disorders has also been proved to be quite beneficial."

It's also worth noting that for those who aren't sure if they can afford treatment, online group therapy may be a viable choice.

Who isn't a good candidate for internet therapy?

Internet group therapy, like all forms of online therapy, isn't for everyone.

If your internet connection isn't powerful enough for video conference calls, the quality of the call may suffer. It can also be a concern if you live with roommates or a large family and don't have the privacy you need to conduct treatment sessions at home.

Furthermore, not everyone appreciates group treatment. While many people like to share and listen in a group setting, others may prefer one-on-one treatment.

You are the greatest judge of what you would benefit from in treatment.

How we made our decision

We looked at a number of factors to determine the top online group treatment choices, including: