Due to the lack of counselling on the NHS you should seek out other treatments ,here are five benefits on the importance of group therapy.

You can learn from others who have similar struggles.

I learnt about others and their struggles with similar symptoms. Although no struggles are the same its comforting to hear that you aren’t alone and others are going through or have been through similar situations. This helps with learning different coping mechanisms from others in the group.

Groups cost less than individual therapy

For those of you on disability benefits individual counselling can prove to be too costly with therapists in the UK charging anything in excess of £15 per hour. Group therapy can be either free or much cheaper than individual. I went to the Bipolar UK support group which is free and you pay a small donation if you wish, to the charity.

Can help you socialise

When I went to group therapy I never socialised with anyone outside of my family. Going to group therapy helped me to socialise which is an important skill as well as being good for your mental health. I never trusted anyone and to some extent still don’t but the group were both helpful and discreet and they have strict rules on interacting outside the group. This is helpful because you don’t get to take on everyone else’s mental health as well as your own. You go to the group, get good advice then go home.

You can learn different coping mechanisms

Even though you can get coping mechanisms off individual counsellors, group therapy allows you to gain different coping mechanisms off group members who are going through or have been through what you are going through.

Groups provide confidentiality

You can feel safe knowing that everything you share with the group stays confidential so you don’t have to worry about gossips. You can let it all out knowing that what goes on in the group stays within the group. You don’t even need to say anything unless you feel ready to.