If you’re the parent of a teen with a mental health condition, you may be considering therapy as a way to help your child cope. While individual therapy can be beneficial, group therapy can also be a helpful tool for your teen. But what is group therapy, exactly? And what kind of activities are typically involved?
At Beyond Healthcare, our experienced therapists use several evidence-based group therapy ideas to help our teens between 11-17 heal. We divide teens into similar age groups so they can better relate to each other during group sessions. During those times, they are able to discuss problems they have and learn new coping skills so they can better handle issues when they arise in the future. If your teen struggles with their mental health, it may be time to find them help. We can meet you in your community, in our Fairlawn or Toledo, Ohio treatment centers, or online to better understand your concerns and help you find your teen the support they need with mental health services.
What Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is, simply put, therapy that takes place with a group of people rather than one-on-one. Oftentimes, group members will have similar issues or diagnoses. The group setting can provide support and allow members to feel less alone in their struggles. Groups are usually led by one or two licensed therapists.
Five Group Therapy Ideas
1. Trust Building Exercises
These exercises usually involve blindfolding or falling back into someone’s arms. They require trust—both in the other members of the group and in the leaders running the activity—and can help participants feel more comfortable opening up about themselves.
2. Role-Playing
Role-playing can help group members practice healthy coping mechanisms and explore different ways of handling difficult situations. It can also provide an opportunity to work through past trauma in a safe and controlled environment.
3. Art Activities
Art can be a helpful outlet for emotions that are difficult to put into words. It can also foster creativity and self-expression. Some groups may do collaborative art projects, while others may focus on individuals creating their own pieces.
4. Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises are often used as a way to calm down and manage anxiety. They can also help ground individuals who are feeling overwhelmed or triggered by something that was said in the group session.
5. Games
Games can be used as a way to break the ice at the beginning of a meeting or to provide levity during a particularly heavy discussion topic. They can also teach important skills like teamwork and communication.
How Group Therapy Can Benefit Your Teen
There are many potential benefits of group therapy for teens struggling with mental health conditions. In addition to providing support and reducing feelings of isolation, group therapy can also help teens build healthy coping mechanisms, work through trauma, and express themselves creatively. If you’re considering therapy for your teen, talk to them about the things they are going through and start finding resources that can help them. That way, when it’s time to find help, you’re ready.
Group Therapy for Adolescents and Teens at Beyond Healthcare
Group therapy is an important part of our intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs. Our experienced therapists use various holistic group therapy ideas to help teens between 11-17 heal. If your teen is struggling with their mental health, it may be time to find them help. We can meet you in your community, in our Ohio treatment centers, or online to better understand your concerns and help you find your teen the support they need.
For more information about our outpatient treatment services, please call us at 833.698.0453 or contact us online today.
