psychoeducation Group Therapy for Teens
What is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is an experience where people with similar issues and struggles gather in a shared space while a trained mental health professional leads these therapy sessions. Group therapy is a valuable part of the treatment plan for many mental health diagnoses, addictions, and interpersonal struggles. There are also groups tailored to specific age groups, including teen mental health groups.
Research shows a 73% improvement in teens involved in group therapy compared to other therapies. This is because adolescents and teenagers are, by nature, social beings. This distinct developmental stage is when most begin exploring different types of relationships. They start to refine their social skills and abilities. Thus, the group environment is a natural setting for teens.
Benefits of Group Therapy For Teens
Teen group therapy is an ideal choice. During the adolescent and teenage years, individuals experience a high level of psychosocial vulnerability. Social interaction supports this vulnerability and is a primary part of development. Because most socialization occurs through observing others (social learning), adolescent group therapy of any kind is a great fit for teenagers.
Psychoeducational Group For Teens
There are many different kinds of group therapy for adolescents, but one of the most common is psychoeducational group therapy. Psychoeducational groups can provide teens with information to help them learn about their struggles. It helps them make better choices and cope in more effective ways. Psychoeducational groups foster a supportive and empowering environment for teens. Psychoeducational groups also:
- Provide a safe and encouraging setting
- Promote active participation
- Endorse personal responsibility for their learning and their recovery
- Educate about the specific mental illness or struggle, coping strategies, stages of change
- Provide resources not only for the teen but also for his or her family members/caregivers
Psychoeducational Group therapy can address a variety of struggles your teen may be dealing with:
How your teen can get the most from the group setting
Getting your teen to attend a psychoeducational group is a good first step. Yet, once they are there, certain things can help him or her get the most out of the experience.
Commit
If your teen is motivated to feel better and manage his or her struggles effectively, it is important for them to commit to the group. This means understanding what is expected of him or her throughout the therapeutic process.
Share
When your teens actively share personal experiences, it is helpful not only to them but also to other group participants.
Participate
Listening is just as important as sharing. If your teen can practice active listening, he or she will be able to walk away from each group having learned something.
benefits of Psychoeducational group therapy for your teen
- Normalizing – being around others who share similar struggles, your teen can gain a sense that what he or she is experiencing is “normal.”
- Process Time – although psychoeducational groups are primarily focused on education, there is often an opportunity for processing. Processing in group therapy is sharing one’s experiences, feelings, struggles, etc., and receiving feedback on how others can relate.
- Positive Peer Support – hearing from others who struggle in similar ways to that of your teen can help him or her feel less alone, which can be a relief to many.
- Coping Skills – part of the educational aspect of psychoeducational groups is teaching effective coping skills and providing tools. Teens can then begin to incorporate healthier approaches to coping with difficult emotions, thoughts, and interactions.
- Goal Setting – part of any therapeutic process is a treatment plan that includes goals. It is important your teen’s goal is specific, realistic, and attainable.
- Decreased Isolation – if your teen struggles with anxiety, depression, or another mental illness, you may notice he or she begins to pull away from social outlets. They tend to spend less time with family and friends. Joining a psychoeducational group can help your teen begin to pull out of his or her isolation and interact with others.
- Social Skills – not only do groups facilitate decreased isolation, but it can also promote reintegration and re-engagement with others. Group therapy can help your teen hone appropriate social skills.
- Witness Others’ Recovery Process – witnessing peers’ progression in recovery can increase your teen’s motivation to work on his or her struggle(s).
- Feedback – group therapy often serves as a sounding board for participants. Hearing from others can be helpful to your teen in terms of seeing situations from different perspectives and outlooks.
- Price – group therapy is often less expensive than individual psychotherapy.
Drawbacks of Psychoeducational group therapy for your teen
Although psychoeducational group therapy has a long list of advantages, there are specific criticisms as well. Critics tend to say group therapy, in general, can be:
- Unfocused and/or impersonal
- Ineffective for those who struggle with social phobias
- A potential source of conflict
Just because some individuals do not advocate for the use of group therapy with teens, that is not to say that it wouldn’t be a good fit for your child. To find out more about psychoeducational group therapy, contact the experts at Polaris at 1-844-836-0222.
