Individual therapy means one individual is privately treated by a mental health professional. Group therapy is multiple individuals interacting with each other and at least one mental health professional.
What Are the Benefits of Individual Therapy in Substance Use Disorder?
- In individual therapy, individuals can find the root of their substance abuse disorder (SUD)
- In individual therapy, it is a completely confidential environment
- In individual therapy, it is possible to focus on recovery skills that pertain to one individual
- Individual therapy can include different forms of behavioral therapy
- Individual therapy improves communication skills and self-awareness
- Individual therapy improves self-esteem
What Are the Benefits of Group Therapy in Substance Use Disorder?
- Peer support and being surrounded by people who have the same problems which foster friendship, comfort, and support
- Peer plus professional insights
- Peer plus professional guidance
- Positive peer pressure to stay substance-free
- Groups allow people to share and model successful behavior for each other
- Peer perspective
- Building a support network of peers to call on outside of group sessions
Is There a Benefit to Using Both Types of Therapy, Individual and Group?
- One benefit is that each type of therapy uses different approaches and services to reach the same goals.
- In individual therapy, the individual is solely focused on themselves, while in group therapy, the individual is surrounded and supported by several people who share similar experiences.
- Exposure to both therapies allows individuals to focus on themselves and other approaches to their problems in a safe environment.
- A significant benefit for both therapies is “feeling heard” both by a mental health professional and then again by the same or a different mental health professional plus peers.
- Being in group therapy allows for an instant support network of peers, while individual therapy allows individual attention one-on-one.
- Group therapy tends to focus on a specific topic, while individual therapy allows exploration of similar topics all at once.
Research shows that both individual and group therapy are successful in helping people with substance use disorder; however, utilizing both could bring more advantages than using one or the other. At The Guest House, we believe that group and individual therapy teaches you to develop healthy relationships with others and yourself. They also promote healthy social skills. If you or a loved one is struggling to improve their relationships with themself or others, then it is time to get help. To find out more information about our programs, contact us today by calling (855) 483-7800.