Woman smiles as she connects with others in group therapy

Group therapy is a type of therapeutic structure where multiple clients receive treatment together. Groups can be as small as two or three people or as large as a dozen. Moreover, many different types of therapy can be used in the group setting. Behavioral therapies are commonly used in group therapy but talk therapy and other methods show up as well depending on the makeup of the group and what is being treated. Oceanfront Recovery offers a comprehensive group therapy program as part of the full range of addiction treatment services.

Learn more about addiction treatment therapy in CA by calling Oceanfront Recovery at (877) 296-7477.

What Is a Group Therapy Program?

Group therapy is a therapeutic intervention where one or more therapists works with a group of clients. Often, group therapy is just one element of a larger treatment plan for someone in recovery from addiction. Many types of group therapy exist. We outline four of the most common types of group therapy below:

Cognitive Behavioral Groups

Cognitive behavioral groups apply cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a behavioral therapy used to treat addiction and mental health disorders. This method focuses on identifying the negative patterns of thought and behavior that hold someone back. Once these patterns are identified, CBT works to modify and replace them with productive patterns that help someone move beyond the confines of their disorder.

Skills Development Groups

Another common type of group therapy is skill development. These groups focus on equipping people with life and social skills. This could look like helping people develop positive lifestyle habits around eating, sleeping, or exercise. It could also be more tactical and related to skills necessary for relationships.

Psychoeducational Groups

Psychoeducational groups educate clients about their addiction or mental health disorder. They also teach people coping mechanisms for dealing with the stressors and issues that come with these disorders.

Support Groups

Support groups are a less formal type of group therapy. Generally, support groups focus on open discussion pertaining to key mental health or addiction topics. One of the most well-known types of support group are 12-step groups, which are grounded in the 12 steps devised by Alcoholics Anonymous. The 12 steps have become widely used across the addiction treatment landscape.

Group Therapy Program Activities

The group therapy program at Oceanfront Recovery relies on a set of core activities that remain true no matter if someone is participating in a cognitive behavioral group or a skills development group. Activities may change or differ based on a therapist’s understanding of the group and the unique needs of its participants. Nonetheless, here are a few common group therapy program activities:

  • Icebreakers that encourage camaraderie and getting to know others in group therapy
  • Gratitude activities, which could look like creating a map of all the things someone is thankful for in their life
  • Sharing activities, which prioritize group members responding to specific prompts
  • Writing or journaling activities, which allow participants to explore their experiences in a different way
  • Goal activities, which help participants establish meaningful goals to work toward and track during recovery

Group therapy is an effective component of any addiction treatment program. It is appropriate for clients in all stages of recovery.

Find Group Therapy in California at Oceanfront Recovery

Oceanfront Recovery is a leading provider of addiction treatment in California. As mentioned earlier, our group therapy program offerings are just one element we consider when constructing a comprehensive addiction treatment plan for each client.

Depending on your addiction, your treatment plan might include some level of individual therapy, educational services, medication management or medication-assisted treatment, and more. Contact us at (877) 296-7477 today to find out more about group therapy in CA and how it can play a role in your long-term recovery.