San Diego Costal Mental Health

Individuals in group therapy in San Diego.

Group Therapy in San Diego

You are not alone when you struggle with a mental health condition or dual-diagnosis disorder. According to the CDC, more than one out of five adults and 13 to 18-year-olds live with some type of mental illness. Additionally, one out of 25 adults has a serious mental health disorder, such as major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. At San Diego Coastal Mental Health, we believe the peer support in our group therapy in San Diego allows our clients to share experiences while developing effective coping skills and mechanisms.

What Is the Purpose of Group Therapy?

Group therapy is vital to an overall comprehensive and personalized treatment plan. Its purpose is to bring people with similar issues together while guided by a licensed therapist. During sessions, specific issues and problems are targeted, discussed, and addressed within the group. The group also learns how to develop coping skills and improve life skills. In addition, group therapy allows individuals to build a strong peer support network.

Types of Group Therapy We Provide

San Diego Coastal Mental Health provides several different types of group therapy in San Deigo as part of our comprehensive and personalized treatment plans as follows:

Psychoeducational Groups

Psychoeducational groups are educational opportunities for group participants. During sessions, the therapist leads the group, who covers a wide range of topics. Topics can include learning more about a specific mental health disorder, how negative emotions affect mental health, and the interconnectedness between physical and mental health.

Skills Development Groups

In skills development group therapy sessions, individuals learn how to develop specific coping skills and mechanisms for dealing with triggers and stressors. There is often role-play within the group to give participants time to practice their new skills with one another. Skills development groups can also cover learning social and communication skills.

Process Groups

A trained therapist leads process group therapy but is not structured. Instead, group participants have the opportunity to bring up topics themselves. The therapist helps facilitate group discussions between peers on the various issues raised within the group.

Support Groups

Support groups are sessions where different peers can lead the group. Peers are encouraged to openly discuss topics with each other, provide feedback, and share. Support groups allow participants the added benefit of building a peer community while in recovery for mental health disorders.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Groups

DBT in a group setting allows individuals to work on building skills together. DBT groups follow the same format as individual DBT sessions by covering mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and effectiveness in interpersonal settings.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Groups

CBT is one of the most widely used forms of psychotherapy. In a group setting, CBT allows participants to work together on identifying negative beliefs and unhealthy thought patterns. The therapist helps the group develop positive thought patterns and affirmations while also working toward cognitive restructuring.

Topics Covered in Group Therapy in San Diego

A wide range of topics can be covered in group therapy in San Diego based on the group’s needs, such as:

  • Communication skills
  • Learning how to manage and overcome uncomfortable feelings and emotions
  • Family issues
  • Developing healthy relationships
  • Uncovering triggers and stressors
  • Sharing between peers about specific issues and concerns
  • The impacts mental illness has had on individuals and their loved ones
  • Addressing grief and loss
  • Learning how to socialize with others
  • Developing effective and positive coping skills
  • Impacts of substance use on mental health

Why Is Group Therapy Beneficial?

Group therapy provides numerous benefits for participants, including:

  • Helps individuals gain new insights and perspectives: While everyone within the group has similar struggles, they often come from different backgrounds and have their own personal histories. Sharing experiences allows individuals to gain new insights and perspectives on the challenges they face.
  • Makes people feel less isolated and alone: Mental illness often leads people to withdraw socially and from family and friends. In a group setting, participants can find support in each other and feel less isolated and alone.
  • Improves confidence and self-esteem: Hearing others’ experiences and struggles can help individuals feel more confident and boost their self-esteem. It also encourages them to share their stories with the group.
  • Helps people develop relationship and social skills: Group therapy provides the perfect setting for people to practice new relationship and social skills, including resolving conflicts and setting health boundaries.
  • Raises self-awareness: The feedback individuals get from their peers and therapist in group sessions can help increase self-awareness and provide new learning opportunities.
  • Develop problem-solving and collaboration skills: Group therapy can present different situations in which participants must problem-solve and collaborate with each other.
  • Costs less than individual therapy: Meeting with a therapist in a group setting costs less because the costs are split between the group.

Discover the Benefits of Group Therapy in San Diego Today

Struggling with mental health disorders and dual-diagnosis conditions can make you feel like you are alone. However, at San Diego Coastal Mental Health, you are not alone. Our group therapy in San Diego provides you with direct access to peers facing similar struggles. Together, everyone has the opportunity for a brighter future and improved mental health. Visit our admissions page now to learn more about our comprehensive and personalized mental health treatment programs.

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