Being part of a group is an innate desire that satisfies our need to belong. Groups give us insight and understanding about ourselves and others. Groups help us define our social identities and achieve goals and allow us to provide and receive social support. When group members work together, everyone succeeds. All of the societal benefits of groups also apply to group therapy. At Beyond Healthcare, group therapy is integral to our outpatient mental health services for children and their families.
Group therapy provides teens with a safe, supportive environment to let their defenses down and learn to process complex emotions and events with peers with similar experiences and challenges. If you are looking for group therapy for teens near Shoreland, Ohio, reach out to Beyond Healthcare. Call 833.698.0453 to learn more.
Group Therapy Activities for Teens
Initially, many teens are wary of group therapy. It can feel intimidating to walk into a group of strangers and open up about your innermost thoughts and feelings. However, we know at Beyond Healthcare that these initial fears are quickly diminished when teens are surrounded by peers with similar challenges and experiences.
Group therapy activities for teens can include:
- Two truths and a lie – Everyone writes three facts about themselves. Two are true, and one is a lie. They read these aloud, and the group has to determine which is the lie. This activity helps group members learn more about one another in a fun way that helps break down defenses.
- Fear in a hat – In this icebreaker activity, each group member writes down a fear, emotion, or worry anonymously and puts it in a hat. The therapist reads them aloud. Group members learn what others are feeling and see they may have things in common.
- Gratitude mapping – Each group member receives a paper containing categories such as people, places, things, skills, and experiences. They write at least one thing they are grateful for in each category. This activity helps teens recognize the positive things in life that a particular problem might overshadow.
- Group meditation – For teens coping with issues like anxiety, stress, anger management, and impulsivity, group meditation serves as a grounding activity that helps them feel centered and teaches them about mindfulness.
- Group writing exercises – Writing or journaling is a way for teens to work through emotions or experiences that are difficult to verbalize. Therapists give the group a prompt that reflects the group’s goals. Writing exercises can be done within the session or assigned homework to be discussed in the next session.
Group therapy helps teens solve problems, build trust, and develop better communication and social skills. Teens struggling with mental health disorders often feel isolated and alone in their thoughts and feelings. Group therapy lets them know they are not alone and teaches them how to relate to others with similar problems.
Can Your Teen Benefit from Group Therapy?
Therapy is essential to mental health treatment. At Beyond Healthcare, group therapy is part of your teen’s comprehensive treatment plan, including individual counseling, family therapy, and medication management, where necessary. Group therapy is designed for teens with common mental health issues and behavioral challenges.
Years of research on group therapy show that it is highly effective at treating mental health disorders such as:
- Eating disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance use disorder
- Anxiety and panic disorders
- Depression
Group therapy provides a safe place for teens to explore aspects of their mental health issues with peers who can relate.
Contact Beyond Healthcare for Teen Group Therapy
At Beyond Healthcare, we aim to provide high-quality outpatient mental health treatment for teens with mental health issues and behavioral concerns. We provide comprehensive treatment with flexible scheduling to accommodate your family’s busy schedule. Contact our team at 833.698.0453 to learn more about the benefits of teen group therapy and how we can support your family.
