An important part of any behavioural treatment program for teens is group therapy. Group therapy for teens offers many benefits, including creating a safe space for discussion. Learn more about group therapy and how it helps by calling Venture Academy at 866.762.2211 or connecting with us online.
What Is Group Therapy for Teens?
Group therapy is just what its name suggests: therapy that takes place in a group setting. Unlike support groups, however, group therapy is led by a mental health professional who ensures the conversation is productive and that there is no cross-talk among participants.
Lots of therapeutic options are used during group therapy for teens, including:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Dialectical behaviour therapy
- Trauma-focused therapy
Group therapy can be part of a residential treatment program, as an outpatient service, or even in a community mental health setting. There are usually only a few participants, and confidentiality is crucial.
Benefits of Teen Group Therapy
Teen group therapy helps create a safe space for discussion. This is where teens can dive into the issues that bother them or that are causing the behavioural issues they’re struggling with.
It is the right place in which to learn coping strategies because there’s no risk of judgment. Your teen will be surrounded by other teens who are also struggling with similar challenges, and they can all learn how to deal with strong emotions or stressful situations together.
Group therapy can teach them how to use breathwork and other relaxation techniques when they find themselves struggling and how to manage and change negative thoughts. All of these strategies help teens navigate powerful emotions that may be leading to mood and behavioural issues.
Creating safe spaces for youth also helps with teen self-esteem. Teens can get validation for what they’re feeling if they hear that others are going through similar issues. Some teens struggle to solidify a personality, instead following what their friends or other peers are doing. When they enter a safe space for discussion, your teen can start understanding who they are.
Another important benefit of creating safe spaces for youths in group therapy is that it helps teens avoid feelings of isolation. When struggling with behavioural or mental health concerns, a teen might feel like no one knows what they’re dealing with. Hearing about the experiences of other teens and what they’re struggling with helps them see that they’re not alone.
Teen group therapy also offers the chance for teens to learn how to communicate more effectively. By having a mental health professional guiding the sessions, your teen can learn effective strategies to manage even difficult conversations in a healthy way.
Group therapy helps your teen build a support group that goes beyond their regular circle of friends. Interacting with people who understand the challenges your teen faces allows your child to build a strong support system to help them when they’re struggling.
For teens who’ve experienced trauma, group therapy is a good tool for rebuilding trust. Traumatic experiences usually damage boundaries, but group therapy encourages the understanding of what boundaries are and how to build healthy ones.
Create a Safe Space for Discussion at Venture Academy
If your teen is struggling with mental health, substance use disorders, or behavioural issues, getting them the help they need is just a call away.
At Venture Academy, we offer the kind of treatment programs that guide your teen back on the path to stability. Individual and group therapy sessions are available to help your family address the underlying cause of the difficulty and maintain healthy dynamics that last. Get your teen the help they need by calling Venture Academy today at 866.762.2211 or filling out our online contact form.