Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, aims to help an individual identify troubling emotions, thoughts, or behavior using a variety of treatment techniques.1 It may be utilized as one part of a complete treatment plan or aftercare program to help individuals with a variety of conditions, including mental health disorders and substance use disorder, a medical condition defined by the compulsive use of substances despite negative consequences. Show
Essentially, during psychotherapy, a therapist may draw on a wide range of techniques and strategies to help an individual modify their behavior or thinking, how they deal with their emotions, or the way they process significant events or issues. “Talking cures” date as far back as ancient Greece.2 English physician Walter Cooper Dendy introduced the term psycho-threpeia in the 1850s to describe a type of talking treatment.3 However, Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung are generally acknowledged as the founders of modern psychotherapy.4 Freud developed psychoanalysis near the end of the 19th century, and following his work, many other schools of therapy were formed. Individual therapy is one type of psychotherapy. It involves a trained professional helping a single individual work through the therapeutic process. Group therapy, on the other hand, involves a group of individuals—all of whom are treated at the same time—by a therapist. Find a Treatment Center That Offers Psychotherapy Near MeIndividual therapy allows a therapist—who might be a professionally trained psychologist, social worker, counselor, psychiatrist, or marriage and family counselor—to help an individual work through their thoughts, concerns, emotions, and situations. Thus, individual therapy differs from getting advice from friends, family, and acquaintances, since it is a professional service provided by a trained professional. Individual Therapy and Substance Abuse TreatmentResearch indicates that individual therapy can be an effective component in a treatment plan for a substance use disorder.5 Individual therapy helps individuals find the root of their addiction. Individual therapy sessions generally focus on teaching those in recovery the skills needed to navigate a life without drugs or alcohol and include different forms of behavioral therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing and contingency management.6 Each of these behavioral therapies utilizes a different strategy to get the desired outcome. CBT, for instance, teaches individuals how to recognize moods, thoughts, and situations that trigger drug or alcohol cravings.6 The therapist, in turn, teaches the individual how to avoid these triggers and replace the negative thoughts and feelings with positive ones. In addition to using individual therapy to help individuals with substance use disorder, it can help a wide range of co-occurring mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder, among others.7 Advantages of Individual TherapyIndividual therapy offers several advantages, including:8-10
Disadvantages of Individual TherapyThe disadvantages of individual therapy include:
Individual therapy is the most used form of treatment for substance use disorders. However, there is increasing evidence that supports the use of group therapy in substance misuse treatment.11 What Is Group Therapy?Dr. Joseph Hersey Pratt began group therapy sessions to instruct individuals in the care of tuberculosis.12 Pratt found that through shared experience and support, the members in the group benefitted emotionally. He began referring to his sessions as group psychotherapy. Group psychotherapy increased in popularity following World War II when therapists treated groups of combat veterans together and observed the positive effects from the group sessions. Group therapy means more than one individual is being treated at the same time by at least one therapist. Some groups may have more than one therapist. Group sizes vary depending on the type of therapy. For instance, couples therapy, a type of group therapy that typically treats romantic partners, consists of two individuals; whereas, other groups, such as substance misuse groups, may include 10 to 12 people in one session. Researchers who study the effectiveness of group therapy generally recommend 6 to 12 individuals in a group.13 Group Therapy and Substance Abuse TreatmentWe are social creatures, and as social creatures, our need to congregate can be a powerful therapeutic tool. Formal therapy groups can be persuasive and supportive. Groups organized around substance misuse can offer individuals insight, guidance, and comfort. Under a therapist’s guidance, groups can foster healthy attachments as well as teach individuals new social skills. While group therapy is as effective in the treatment of substance misuse as individual therapy, there is mounting evidence that suggests that group therapy might be even more beneficial.14 Individuals who engage in group therapy tend to be more committed to maintaining abstinence.14 Research suggests that group therapy can help with co-occurring mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and personality disorder, too.14 Types and Models of Group TherapyTherapists might use a variety of group treatment models to meet the needs of the group during the many phases of recovery. The five group models that have proven to be effective in the treatment of substance misuse include:14
These models are fluid. Therapists can employ them based on the needs and goals of the group and can even shift from one model to another in a single group therapy session. Goals of Group TherapyApplying what is learned in group therapy to life outside of therapy is the main goal. This means individuals are able to make behavior corrections, implement the interpersonal skills they learned to new and existing relationships, and utilize the preventative measures and coping skills when necessary to avoid relapse.15 Advantages of Group TherapyThere are a number of advantages to group therapy, including.16-17
Disadvantages of Group TherapyThe disadvantages individuals may experience in group therapy include:17
Sometimes, certain alliances form in groups, and these subgroups target and denigrate other group members. An experienced and competent therapist is able to avoid such alliances that are detrimental to the overall group; however, it is inevitable that certain individuals in the group will identify more strongly with one another and not identify with other members. Group and individual therapy, when used as one component of a formal rehab treatment plan, may be covered by insurance. This depends on the provider and the specifics of the plan. Use our online verification form below to see if insurance may be able to cover the cost of treatment. The answer to the question, “Which is better: group or individual therapy?” is actually relatively straightforward: “Neither.” It really depends on the individual and what’s best suited for them and their needs. In general, research finds that both group therapy and individual therapy are relatively equivalent in their effectiveness in addressing substance use disorder and a broad range of mental health disorders, too.14 If it’s an option, try both to see what feels right for you. Nonetheless, both formats of therapy have advantages and disadvantages. Deciding which one to engage in is a personal choice that depends on an individual’s needs, goals, and the types of therapies available. |