If you are seeking treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), you may come across options for both individual therapy or group therapy. Group therapy for PTSD is commonly used in many healthcare settings; however, much of what we know about effective treatments for PTSD comes from research on individual treatments for PTSD, such as exposure therapy. So, you might wonder whether group therapy for PTSD works as well as individual therapy.
To examine this question, one study by researchers at the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Stony Brook University and the University of Memphis looked at the overall success of group therapies in reducing symptoms of PTSD. The groups they looked at varied. Most were cognitive-behavioral in nature, using cognitive restructuring and exposure. Others focused on PTSD symptoms and substance-use problems. One was focused on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and a few others focused specifically on anger management or spirituality.
Overall, they found that compared to no treatment at all, group treatment resulted in a reduction in PTSD symptoms. This is not too surprising. However, what was surprising was that group therapy for PTSD did not appear to be any better in reducing symptoms than groups that didn't really focus on PTSD symptoms, but instead focused on just providing support. In addition, group therapy didn't appear to be as effective in reducing PTSD symptoms than individual treatments for PTSD.
The researchers also found that group therapy produced less change among people who had been exposed to combat or childhood sexual abuse. It is possible that people who had been exposed to these types of traumatic events may be experiencing more severe PTSD symptoms or other problems (for example, depression, substance use, other anxiety disorders) that would be better addressed through more intensive individual therapy sessions.
Should You Seek Out Group Therapy for Your PTSD?
Overall this study found that group therapy for PTSD does work; therefore, it shouldn't be ruled out. However, this study shows that it might not matter what format the group takes. Given this, if you are interested in group therapy for PTSD, you should seek out the type of format that you feel most comfortable in and that fits best with what you want in a group treatment for your PTSD. The social support that you can get from a group format seems to be important.
This study also doesn't look at other benefits of group therapy for PTSD. By being in a group with a number of people struggling with the same problem, you can see that you are not alone in your struggles. You can receive validation from others. You can also learn how to manage your symptoms from listening to other people who have similar problems. Group therapy also provides you with the ability to help out others which can have a positive impact on your recovery from a traumatic event.
If you are looking for treatment providers who provide group or individual treatment for PTSD, there are a number of websites that will help connect with you providers in your area. In the end, it is important for you to do your research and find a treatment that has success in helping people with PTSD, and that also addresses your own needs.
Source:
Sloan, D.M., Feinstein, B.A., Gallagher, M.W., Beck, J.G., & Keane, T.M. (2011, in press). Efficacy of group treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: A meta-analysis. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy.
