Excessive anxiety is one of America’s most widespread health concerns. In fact, viewed as a whole, diagnosable anxiety disorders are the country’s most common mental illnesses. You can recover from any of these disorders with a well-designed treatment plan. Such a plan often includes a group therapy program. This type of program can provide significant benefits for both adults and teenagers. Any given provider may use multiple kinds of group therapy activities for anxiety treatment.
What Is Group Therapy?
In group therapy, you don’t receive treatment on your own. Instead, you receive it alongside other people in your recovery program. Various forms of psychotherapy can be employed in this kind of group setting. Broadly speaking, features common to all programs include:
- Direct communication between you and your therapist
- Observation of others during their interactions with this therapist
- Feedback provided directly to you and other therapy participants
- Group discussions that involve all therapy participants
The counterpart to group therapy is individual or one-on-one therapy.
The Role of Group Therapy for Anxiety in Your Recovery
Significant numbers of people in substance treatment also have an anxiety disorder. In such a situation, the goals of recovery are expanded. The help you receive must go beyond addressing your drug or alcohol problem. In addition, it must give you ways to ease the effects of anxiety.
Where does group therapy for anxiety fit into your recovery? It forms part of an overall treatment plan that also provides other forms of effective support. Depending on your situation, this additional support may include medication. It may also include therapy in a one-on-one setting.
What Are the Benefits of Group Therapy for Anxiety?
If you’re affected by serious anxiety, group therapy can help you in ways that individual therapy can’t. Specific known benefits of group therapy for anxiety include such things as:
- A way to combat the isolation that often accompanies anxiety
- Proof that you’re not alone in your day-to-day struggles
- A welcoming forum to discuss your experiences with anxiety
- The chance to develop and practice your social skills
- An opportunity to learn from other people in your group
During group sessions, you also get the chance to support others and encourage their efforts to get better. In turn, you can get support and encouragement for your own recovery efforts.
Group Therapy Activities for Anxiety – What’s Available?
Therapists may use any one of dozens of activities during group sessions for anxiety. A sampling of the many possible options includes:
- Doing check-ins that let everyone rate their recent anxiety levels
- Sharing specific anxiety-related fears and then discussing them as a group
- Performing exercises that focus on improving your communication skills
- Taking part in progressive muscle relaxation, meditation or similar anti-stress activities
- Engaging in grounding exercises that help you fight rising feelings of anxiousness
- Sharing effective coping strategies developed by various group members
During your time in therapy, you may take part in a variety of different kinds of activities. Some therapists emphasize their use more than others. However, most use them to one extent or another.
Get More Information on Group Therapy Activities for Anxiety at Northpoint Colorado
Want to know more about group therapy programs for anxiety? The professionals at Northpoint Colorado are standing by to answer your questions. We can also provide you with more details on the range of activities used in these types of programs.
Need anxiety treatment as part of your recovery from drug or alcohol problems? You’ll find it at Northpoint. We specialize in helping people affected by mental health issues in addition to addiction. To learn how to get started, just call us today at 888.231.1281 or complete our online contact form.