Okay, so you’re a teen and maybe the idea of group therapy has been suggested to you or maybe you’re hearing about this group therapy thing for the first time. You might wonder, “What could I possibly get from group therapy? How could that be helpful? Talk to a group of strangers?” You see your friends at school, you talk to people on your phone and social media, and when you’re forced to – you also talk to your family. You talk to people…so why strangers? Why in therapy? What’s that about? 

The great thing about being a teen is that you live in the moment, you’re not sure how life is going to play out and nothing matters but the here and now. In hindsight, when a lot of us reach adulthood, we wish we had more perspective, better use of our time, or figured things out sooner. While it’s not recommended that we rush this process since there’s a lot of value in enjoying the journey and lessons are meant to be experiential, if there was a way to hack gaining a better understanding of ourselves and the world around us, wouldn’t that just be all the better? The setting of being in a group helps us recognize patterns or feelings that arise when we are interacting with others and what that can tell us about ourselves. Not all group settings offer the safety we need to truly be reflective, open, and attuned to this kind of self-growth, learning, and development. But, group therapy - it’s whole design and purpose - is to be a safe place. It’s an unconventional learning lab, so to speak.

In my younger days, I fluctuated in between calling myself an introvert and an extrovert without fully knowing what that meant to my identity.  I was so concerned with growing up fast that I’m not sure I was ever fully present. I had anxiety about the future and though I was so young I felt the weight of the world around me. Communication with others was spotty at best. Journaling helped to some extent to untangle my thoughts and feelings, but on the outside I’m sure I was still perceived as moody or angsty. Where was that whimsical, creative kid from before? I was trying to suss out my life through my interests, likes & dislikes, who I associated with, my style or lack thereof, and my tastes. Developmentally, adolescents derive self-esteem and sense of identity from external factors, usually their peers. Even with school and other areas teens get to socialize there may be a lack in a safe space to learn to trust and explore interpersonal relationships with peers as their authentic selves. Oftentimes therapy steadies us in times of transition so what better time to start than in the years of constant transitions?

See for yourself what can be gained from being in a judgment free zone guided by someone who isn’t a teacher or parent. If you want some exclusive one on one time then individual therapy may be for you, but if you’d like the additional benefit of community and connection then the group therapy space may be the right fit and just what you need. Group therapy helps us to learn how to soften our inner critic and develop self-compassion. Through the risk of vulnerability and not having it all figured out (and being okay with that), confidence rises, self-acceptance grows, and positive changes begin to happen on the outside and within. Curious about group therapy for yourself or a tween or teen you know or care about? Visit our page on group therapy to learn more.