From the author: An article about the benefits of group therapy Nowadays group therapy is increasingly developing, however, individual psychotherapy is more popular. But sometimes it is the group that is able to help a person more effectively and quickly. They come to the group on their own when they feel that there are problems in relationships and communication. Psychologists and psychotherapists are also often referred to the group when they understand that this type of therapy can help the client. Individual and group work is often combined. What are the features of group therapy? I will try to answer this question. Group psychotherapy is more economical It is a known fact that an hour of individual work costs more than 2 hours of group work. This is understandable, because during this time the psychologist works not with one person, but with six to eight, on average. And the duration of work in a group is usually six months, and in an individual format 2-3 years. In a group you can work specifically with relationship problems. When a person comes to an appointment, it is not so easy for a psychologist to understand exactly how he builds relationships in everyday life, and it is even more difficult to show this to the client. Whereas in a group you can immediately see how a person interacts with other participants, what kind of relationships he has, what impression he makes, what place he occupies. At the same time, group members share their observations about each other. Sometimes this can be very important, because it is so difficult to see yourself from the outside and understand what exactly needs to be changed in your behavior. And in a group you can try new models of behavior in a safe environment with the support of the group and the leaders. A group is a social microcosm A group brings together different people, some of them can irritate, some can frighten, some can offend. And a special relationship develops with each of the participants. You want to be closer to someone, trust more, and run away from someone else. Therefore, it is very important to study in detail the reactions and emotions of people to each other. And the feedback from all participants gives a deeper understanding of what is happening. After all, there is a difference, he tells you, even if it’s an unpleasant thing, one person or six. If you receive similar feedback from everyone, then you should think about the information received. In addition, the norms in the group are usually such that any thought is expressed without insults and gently. Although, this depends on the approach in which the facilitators work with the group. Cohesion A unique experience in a group can be gained by feeling supported and accepted. There is a big difference if you are reassured by your mother, husband, wife, friends or practically strangers, who then become close in their own special way. There is something extraordinary when you receive approval and understanding from practically strangers. It turns out that you are not alone, and this makes life easier. You may find that you can help other people, and this is inspiring. Improving communication skills It is impossible to get lost in a group, as in a large company. Sometimes it happens that it is easier for a person to remain silent than to speak. And the participants will help with questions. But at the same time, everyone has the right not to speak if it’s really difficult. In addition, in a group there is deeper and more open communication than in everyday life. Usually people don’t answer uncomfortable questions for fear of offending people. In a group you can learn the truth about yourself. In general, with the help of a group you can get a difficult, but very interesting experience. I would say multifaceted. But in everyday life this takes years. In a group, everything is much more concentrated and intense..