How Effective Is Group Therapy For Depression?

— -- Question: How effective is group therapy for depression?

Answer: Group psychotherapy can be very effective for individuals with depression, particularly those people who are having difficulties with relationships with others. There are some people who prefer not to have a one-on-one approach, but prefer to work on their relationships with others, who are more focused on their relationships with others and others' opinions of them. And in that circumstance, group psychotherapy can be very effective.

Another circumstance in which group psychotherapy can be particularly effective is where one is going through a particular type of life stress -- for example, the loss of a loved one or the end of a relationship. And to be in a group with other people who are having similar struggles can sometimes provide some important validation and support for an individual who's coping with the transition in life, and struggling to get over a depression that comes from that.

Whatever the circumstance, group psychotherapy has routinely been shown to be very effective for individuals with depression.

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