Group therapy can be a powerful treatment modality when done right. Research affirms it as equally effective compared to individual therapy, and the relatively lower cost puts this service within reach of patients who struggle to access behavioral health care due to financial constraints.

Meeting the growing need for mental health support in the United States, recent research published by American Psychologist states that group therapy could save more than $5.6 billion and require 34,473 fewer new therapists than individual therapy.

Additionally, group therapy may be preferred over one-on-one encounters for certain patients, such as those looking to build social skills. Like any other treatment, successful group therapy requires training and experience from the provider and a unique set of strategies to maximize results for patients.

Rules and regulations for group therapy

A helpful group therapy experience begins with some ground rules. Providers must become familiar with the mandates and best practices that will contribute to a safe and effective treatment environment.

This includes maintaining confidentiality at all times. Therapists are legally bound by confidentiality. In most cases, group members are not. Providers should nevertheless set an expectation that all group members will keep information shared within sessions confidential. It is also advised to discourage members from dating one another or becoming close friends outside of group therapy.

With these ground rules in place to protect group dynamics, providers can move on to other factors of successful group treatment, including workflows, environment, and the nuts and bolts of running a therapy session.

Put proper systems in place

Before behavioral health practices enroll patients in group therapy, they should ensure their daily workflow supports group management logistics. Working with multiple patients at the same appointment affects everything from how sessions are scheduled to how clinicians take progress notes. A system that runs smoothly creates a better patient experience.

To get started, identify referral sources who might refer new patients to group programs, and inform them about the type of program offered. Create a marketing plan to notify existing patients and the community of new treatment group(s).

Other keys to success include:

Participant screening: Group therapy often has better results when participants have been evaluated before enrollment. Some individuals aren’t ready to address their struggles with a group yet, and some may have harmful interpersonal dynamics that would make other members uncomfortable. Pre-screening options include a one-on-one evaluation with each potential member or shorter sessions where clinicians can observe a patient’s demeanor within groups.

Scheduling: Collaborate with group members to select a meeting day and time that works for everyone and decide on a communication method that works well—patient portal, phone, or email. Reporting tools built into an overall calendar or EHR can help pinpoint popular days and times that might work for everyone.

Documentation: Group sessions should be documented along with individual assessments. Some providers copy and paste their group notes into patients’ progress notes. For faster work, find a note-taking solution that auto-populates group progress notes into the individual notes for everyone on the roster.

Billing: Competent billing becomes even more important when managing reimbursement for multiple patients with differing insurance at the same appointment. To get paid on time, it is important to organize billing and utilize personnel, whether they’re in-house employees or an outsourced billing services company.

Set expectations for the group

To run a successful therapy group, clinicians and group members share responsibility to create a positive atmosphere. During the first group session, prepare patients for the realities and responsibilities of being a group member.

Lay out the attendance policy clearly. Explain that group treatment revolves around participation and interaction with others, so if members don’t attend faithfully, they shortchange not just themselves but the rest of the group. Impress upon them their interdependency as they co-create an environment for growth.

Describe the agenda of an average session and encourage everyone to ask questions about the process. Make sure to set realistic expectations regarding the goals of this treatment.

Group therapy is as effective as individual therapy for an array of symptoms and conditions. While it might not be an overnight solution for some, it can help eliminate financial barriers for many patients and open up access to care, allowing clinicians to provide care to additional individuals needing mental health support.

Ram Krishnan joined Valant in 2020 as an experienced technology executive to lead the organization through its next stage of growth. His passion for listening to customers and building strong teams, coupled with his demonstrated ability to drive scalability, provides a solid foundation for Valant to grow as it discovers new ways to serve the behavioral health care market.