Individual Counseling vs Group

Author
Jun 17
2 min read

Updated: Jul 1

🧍‍♀️ INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

✅ What It Is:

One-on-one sessions with a therapist. Sessions are usually 45–60 minutes and happen weekly or biweekly.

💡 Best For:

Deeply personal or private issues
Trauma, grief, PTSD
Anxiety, depression, or mood disorders
Addiction recovery (especially early stages)
Building trust with one provider over time
Custom treatment plans

📌 Pros:

Private, focused on your story
Flexible pace and goals
Can dig deeper into issues like trauma or childhood
Easier to be open if you’re shy or guarded

⚠️ Consider:

Can feel intense or vulnerable
Might feel slow at first, especially if trust is hard

👥 GROUP THERAPY

✅ What It Is:

Led by a trained therapist, group therapy usually includes 5–12 people with shared struggles (e.g. addiction, anxiety, trauma, grief). Sessions are often 60–90 minutes.

💡 Best For:

Learning you’re not alone
Practicing communication and emotional skills
Peer support and feedback
Building community and accountability
Cost-effective or used alongside individual therapy

📌 Pros:

Powerful sense of connection and shared experience
Real-time practice in relationships
Often more affordable
Great for addiction recovery, social anxiety, and grief

⚠️ Consider:

Less privacy
Not always a good fit for deep trauma (unless trauma-specific)
Some people find it hard to open up in a group

🧭 Which One Should You Choose?

If You…	Try…
Feel isolated or want peer support	Group therapy
Need privacy or personalized support	Individual therapy
Have trauma or complex issues	Start with individual
Are in recovery (e.g., addiction)	Both — combo works well
Want to work on social skills	Group can be helpful
Can’t afford weekly private sessions	Group may be more accessible