Types of Group Therapy: A Complete Guide to Finding the Right Fit

The Short Answer

Group therapy is not a single thing. It is a broad category that includes at least seven distinct types, each with a different structure, purpose, and therapeutic approach. A process group that explores interpersonal dynamics in real time is a fundamentally different experience from a DBT skills group that teaches coping techniques in a classroom format. A peer-led support group for grief operates nothing like a cognitive behavioral group for social anxiety. Understanding these differences is essential to finding a group that matches your needs, because joining the wrong type of group is one of the most common reasons people conclude that "group therapy does not work for me" when the truth is that they were in the wrong kind of group.

This article provides a detailed overview of each type, compares them side by side, and offers a framework for choosing the right fit.

The Seven Main Types of Group Therapy

1. Process Groups (Interpersonal/Yalom Model)

Process groups, sometimes called interpersonal groups, are based on the work of psychiatrist Irvin Yalom. They are the form of group therapy most people picture when they hear the term, though they are actually less common than structured groups in many clinical settings.

What it is. A process group has no set curriculum, no predetermined topic for each session, and no homework. Instead, the group focuses on what is happening between members in the room, right now. When a member withdraws after receiving feedback, the group explores that. When two members clash over differing perspectives, the group examines the dynamics at play. The assumption is that the same relational patterns that cause problems in your outside life will eventually show up in the group, and when they do, they can be addressed in real time.

What it is best for. Relationship difficulties, attachment issues, chronic loneliness, self-worth struggles, social anxiety, difficulty setting boundaries, people-pleasing, and interpersonal patterns that keep repeating despite insight from individual therapy.

Typical format. Six to ten members meet weekly for 75 to 90 minutes. Most process groups are ongoing (open-ended), with members joining and leaving at different times. Some are closed, running for a set number of weeks. The facilitator is a licensed therapist trained in group dynamics.

Who leads it. A licensed psychologist, clinical social worker, or counselor with specialized training in group process and interpersonal theory.

What to expect. The first few sessions can feel ambiguous or even uncomfortable because there is no agenda. This is intentional. The lack of structure creates space for authentic interaction, which is the raw material the group works with. Over time, members develop deep trust and provide each other with honest, compassionate feedback that is difficult to get anywhere else.

2. Cognitive Behavioral Groups

Cognitive behavioral groups apply the principles of CBT in a structured group format. They are among the most widely studied group therapy formats and have strong evidence for conditions including depression, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, and substance use disorders.

What it is. A therapist leads the group through a structured curriculum that teaches members to identify, challenge, and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. Each session typically covers a specific topic — such as cognitive distortions, behavioral activation, exposure hierarchies, or relapse prevention — with didactic instruction followed by group discussion and practice exercises.

What it is best for. Depression, anxiety disorders (including social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and panic), PTSD, OCD, insomnia, chronic pain, and substance use disorders.

Typical format. Eight to sixteen members meet weekly for 60 to 90 minutes over a defined number of sessions (typically 8 to 16 weeks). Most CBT groups are closed — all members start and finish together. Homework is assigned between sessions.

Who leads it. A licensed therapist trained in CBT. Some programs use co-facilitators.

What to expect. Sessions feel structured and goal-oriented. There is a clear learning component in each session. Members practice skills together, share their homework experiences, and receive feedback from the therapist and group. The group dynamic is supportive, but the primary focus is on skill acquisition and symptom reduction, not on exploring interpersonal relationships within the group.

3. Psychoeducational Groups

Psychoeducational groups prioritize education over therapeutic process. They are designed to help people understand a condition, develop basic coping strategies, and make informed decisions about treatment.

What it is. A facilitator presents structured information on a topic — such as understanding anxiety, managing grief, navigating a new diagnosis, or preparing for parenthood — followed by discussion, questions, and sometimes brief exercises. The emphasis is on learning rather than on emotional processing or behavioral change.

What it is best for. People who are newly diagnosed, new to therapy, or seeking to understand a condition before committing to deeper treatment. Psychoeducational groups are also valuable for family members and caregivers who want to learn how to support a loved one.

Typical format. Ten to twenty or more participants meet for a set number of sessions (often 4 to 8 weeks), though some are single-session workshops. Sessions last 60 to 90 minutes. Groups are typically open, allowing new members to join for any session.

Who leads it. A licensed therapist, psychiatric nurse, or trained educator. Some psychoeducational groups are led by professionals from related fields (such as nutritionists for eating disorder education groups).

What to expect. Sessions feel more like a class than therapy. There may be slides, handouts, or videos. Discussion is encouraged but tends to focus on the educational material rather than personal disclosure. The emotional demands are lower than in process or CBT groups, making psychoeducational groups a comfortable entry point for people who are anxious about group therapy.

4. Support Groups

Support groups bring together people who share a common experience — grief, chronic illness, addiction recovery, infertility, caregiving, divorce, or a specific diagnosis — for mutual understanding and encouragement.

What it is. Unlike therapy groups, support groups are not designed to treat a clinical condition through a therapeutic framework. They provide a space where people who "get it" can connect, share coping strategies, and reduce the isolation that often accompanies difficult life circumstances. Some support groups are professionally facilitated; many are peer-led.

What it is best for. Ongoing life challenges where connection with others who share the experience is itself therapeutic — grief and bereavement, chronic illness, recovery maintenance (AA, NA, SMART Recovery), caregiving stress, parenting challenges, and life transitions.

Typical format. Varies widely. Some meet weekly, others monthly. Size ranges from 5 to 30 or more. Most support groups are open and ongoing, with no set end date. Duration is typically 60 to 90 minutes.

Who leads it. Peer facilitators (people with lived experience), trained volunteers, or licensed professionals. The level of facilitation varies significantly — some groups have highly structured formats, while others are loosely guided discussions.

What to expect. The atmosphere is typically warm and welcoming. Members share experiences, offer encouragement, and provide practical advice. There is no homework, no diagnosis required, and no clinical treatment plan. The group is the intervention — connection itself is the healing agent.

5. Skills Training Groups

Skills training groups teach specific, practical techniques for managing symptoms, regulating emotions, or improving social functioning. They overlap with CBT groups but are distinguished by their exclusive focus on skill acquisition rather than cognitive restructuring.

What it is. A structured, curriculum-based group where members learn and practice defined skills. The most well-known example is the DBT skills group, which teaches mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Other examples include social skills groups for teens or adults with autism, anger management groups, and assertiveness training groups.

What it is best for. Emotion dysregulation, borderline personality disorder, chronic suicidality or self-harm, anger management, social skills deficits (including autism spectrum conditions), and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT skills groups are a required component of comprehensive DBT treatment.

Typical format. Six to twelve members meet weekly for 60 to 150 minutes (DBT skills groups are typically 2 to 2.5 hours). Groups follow a rotating curriculum, with a full cycle lasting 24 to 30 weeks. Most skills groups are closed for each cycle. Homework is assigned and reviewed.

Who leads it. A licensed therapist with specialized training in the specific skills model (DBT, social skills training, anger management protocol).

What to expect. Sessions feel more like a class than traditional therapy. The facilitator teaches a skill, demonstrates it, and then leads the group through practice exercises. Members share their experiences with applying skills between sessions. Personal disclosure happens but is not the primary focus — the skills are.

6. Expressive and Creative Arts Groups

Creative arts groups use artistic modalities — visual art, music, drama, dance, or writing — as the primary vehicle for therapeutic work. They are not art classes. The creative process is used to access, express, and process emotions that may be difficult to articulate verbally.

What it is. A therapist trained in a specific creative modality facilitates a group where members use artistic expression as part of the therapeutic process. In an art therapy group, for example, members might create visual representations of their emotions, then discuss what emerged. In a music therapy group, members might use rhythm and sound to explore mood states. In a drama therapy group, members might role-play interpersonal scenarios.

What it is best for. Trauma (especially for people who struggle to verbalize their experiences), grief and loss, children and adolescents, people with developmental disabilities, eating disorders, and anyone who feels limited by traditional talk-based therapy.

Typical format. Six to ten members meet weekly for 60 to 90 minutes. Groups may be open or closed depending on the setting. No artistic skill or experience is required.

Who leads it. A board-certified creative arts therapist (art therapist, music therapist, dance/movement therapist, or drama therapist) with a master's degree and clinical training.

What to expect. Sessions involve making or doing something — drawing, painting, playing instruments, moving, writing, or acting — followed by reflection and discussion. The focus is on the process, not the product. You do not need to be talented or skilled. The artistic medium provides a different entry point to emotional material, which many people find less threatening than being asked to "talk about your feelings."

7. Online and Virtual Groups

The expansion of telehealth has made group therapy accessible to people who cannot attend in person due to geography, disability, scheduling constraints, or preference.

What it is. Any of the above group types conducted through a secure video platform. Online groups follow the same therapeutic principles and evidence-based protocols as in-person groups, adapted for the virtual format.

What it is best for. People in rural or underserved areas, individuals with physical disabilities or chronic illness, those with social anxiety who find virtual settings less intimidating, and anyone whose schedule does not accommodate in-person group meeting times.

Typical format. Same as the in-person equivalent (process, CBT, skills training, etc.), conducted via HIPAA-compliant video platforms. Groups are typically smaller (6 to 8 members) to accommodate the virtual format.

Who leads it. The same licensed professionals who lead in-person groups, with additional training in telehealth best practices.

What to expect. You join from a private, quiet space with a stable internet connection. The facilitator establishes the same ground rules as an in-person group, with additional guidelines about privacy (ensuring no one else can hear your session) and technology (cameras on, muted when not speaking). Research published during and after the COVID-19 pandemic found that online group therapy produces outcomes comparable to in-person groups for most conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Comparison of Group Therapy Types

How to Choose the Right Type of Group Therapy

Choosing the right group starts with understanding what you need from the experience. The following framework can help you narrow your options.

Start with Your Primary Goal

If you want to change specific symptoms — reduce anxiety, manage depression, overcome insomnia, or address PTSD — look for a cognitive behavioral group or a skills training group that targets your condition. These groups have the strongest evidence for symptom reduction and follow structured protocols with clear endpoints.

If you want to understand your relationship patterns — why you keep choosing the same type of partner, why you withdraw when people get close, why you cannot say no — a process group is designed for exactly this work. It is the only group type that uses the live interactions between members as the primary therapeutic material.

If you want connection with people who understand what you are going through — because you are grieving, managing a chronic illness, or navigating recovery — a support group provides that community without requiring you to engage in formal therapeutic work.

If you want to learn about a condition — yours or a loved one's — a psychoeducational group gives you the knowledge base to make informed decisions about treatment.

If talking about your feelings is difficult — because of trauma, developmental factors, or personal preference — an expressive or creative arts group offers an alternative pathway that does not rely on verbal processing.

If you cannot attend in person — an online group makes any of the above accessible from your home.

Consider Your Readiness

Not every type of group is appropriate for every person at every time. Consider:

• If you are in crisis or actively suicidal, individual therapy and crisis support should come first. Most groups are not equipped for crisis-level care.
• If you have never been in therapy, a psychoeducational group or a structured CBT group may feel more comfortable than an open-ended process group.
• If you have significant social anxiety, an online group or a smaller, structured group may be a better starting point than a large process group.
• If you have complex trauma, make sure the group facilitator has trauma-specific training, regardless of the group type.

Ask the Right Questions

Before joining any group, ask the facilitator:

• What type of group is this? (If they cannot clearly name the type, consider that a warning sign.)
• How many members are in the group?
• Is the group open or closed?
• What is the expected time commitment?
• What are the ground rules, especially around confidentiality?
• What happens if I need to miss a session?
• Is there a screening or intake process?
• What training and credentials does the facilitator have?

Common Questions

The Bottom Line

Group therapy is not one-size-fits-all. The seven types described here serve different purposes, use different methods, and are suited to different needs. A process group that transforms one person's relationships may feel aimless to someone who needs concrete coping skills for panic attacks. A DBT skills group that gives one person life-saving tools may feel too structured for someone who needs space to explore their emotions freely.

The key is matching the type of group to what you actually need. When that match is right, group therapy offers something that individual therapy cannot: the experience of being known, understood, and supported by people who are walking a similar path.

Ready to find the right group?

Connect with a therapist who can help you identify the best type of group therapy for your needs.

Find a Therapist