Is Group Therapy as Good as Individual Therapy?
This is one of the most common questions I hear from parents, young adults, and referring professionals: Is group therapy as effective as individual therapy?
Here's my honest answer: you're asking the wrong question.
It's not about whether group therapy is "as good as" individual therapy. Both are evidence-based. Both are effective. Both produce meaningful change. The real question is: which approach—or both—fits what you need right now?
At The Wellness Collective, we offer both individual and group therapy because we value both approaches. Sometimes during intake, we recommend individual therapy instead of group because it's the better fit. Sometimes we recommend both at the same time. And sometimes we start with one and transition to the other.
They're different tools that work in different ways. Let me explain how.
Are group therapy and individual therapy equally effective?
Yes. Research shows that both individual therapy and group therapy are effective for treating anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, and many other mental health challenges. They're not better or worse than each other—they're different modalities that work through different mechanisms of change.
Decades of research support both approaches. Individual therapy works. Group therapy works. The question isn't which one is more effective overall—it's which mechanism of change is most appropriate for what you're struggling with right now.
Individual therapy creates change primarily through your relationship with the therapist. You develop insight, process emotions, learn new skills, and work through challenges with the focused support of a trained professional. The healing happens in that one-on-one therapeutic relationship.
Group therapy creates change primarily through relationships with peers. You discover you're not alone, practice new ways of relating in real time, receive feedback from people whose opinions matter to you, and learn by helping others. The healing happens through connection and real-time relational learning.
Both pathways lead to growth. Neither is superior. At The Wellness Collective, we believe in both approaches, which is why we offer both. We have skilled therapists who provide excellent individual therapy, and we specialize in group therapy through our interpersonal process groups. During intake, we assess which modality—or combination—makes the most sense for each person.
What can individual therapy do that group therapy can't?
Individual therapy provides undivided attention, complete privacy, scheduling flexibility, and the ability to work at your own pace on specific issues. For some challenges and some people, individual therapy is more appropriate—at least initially.
In individual therapy, the entire 50-minute session is yours. Your therapist follows up on what you discussed last week, asks about what's happening in your life, and helps you process whatever is most pressing. It's completely personalized to your needs.
Individual therapy works best when you need:
Focused attention on acute issues. Trauma processing, specific phobias, acute crisis situations—these often require intensive individual work.
Complete privacy. Some issues feel too private to share in a group setting.
Flexibility. Individual appointments can be rescheduled if conflicts arise.
Work at your own pace. You don't have to wait for others or listen to others' issues. The session moves at your speed.
Stabilization first. Sometimes people need individual therapy to stabilize before they're ready for the vulnerability of group.
At The Wellness Collective, we sometimes assess during intake that individual therapy would be more appropriate than group for what you're working on. When that's the case, we connect you with one of our individual therapists. We'd rather you get what you actually need than force you into a group that isn't the right fit.
For referring professionals: if your client is in acute crisis, working through recent trauma, dealing with a specific phobia, or needs intensive individual support, individual therapy is likely the better referral—at least to start.
What can group therapy do that individual therapy can't?
Group therapy breaks isolation, provides peer feedback, offers real-time practice with peers, and creates a sense of belonging that individual therapy can't replicate. For many struggles—especially those involving relationships and connection—group therapy is uniquely powerful.
Group therapy offers benefits that individual therapy simply can't provide:
Breaking isolation. When you realize others struggle with the same fears and insecurities, shame dissolves. That sense of "I'm not the only one" is profoundly healing. Individual therapy can't create that universality.
Peer feedback. When a peer says "you helped me feel less alone" or "I notice you always interrupt when things get uncomfortable," it hits differently than when a therapist says it. Peer feedback carries more weight because peers don't have to like you or accept you—so when they do, it means something.
Real-time practice. In individual therapy, you talk about what happened at work, school, or with friends. In group therapy, you're actually in relationships with peers. When conflict arises, you work through it together. When patterns emerge, you practice changing them in the moment. It's experiential learning, not just talking about it.
Multiple perspectives. Instead of one therapist's viewpoint, you get six to eight different perspectives on the same situation. That diversity helps you see things you couldn't see on your own.
Being the helper. In individual therapy, you're always receiving help. In group, you also give help to others. That experience of being valuable to someone else is incredibly healing, especially if you've been defined by your struggles.
More affordable. Group therapy costs less than individual therapy, making weekly support more accessible.
For referring professionals: if your client struggles with isolation, gets stuck in the same relationship patterns, has social anxiety they need to work through in real time, or would benefit from peer connection and feedback, group therapy may be the more effective referral.
How do I know which approach is right for me (or my child or client)?
The right approach depends on what you're working on and what you need most right now. Some people need individual therapy. Some need group therapy. Many benefit from both—either at the same time or sequentially.
Here's a simple framework:
Individual therapy is often most appropriate when:
You're in acute crisis or dealing with active safety concerns
Trauma processing is the primary focus
The issue is very private and sharing in group feels impossible
Specific skill-building or intensive focus is needed
Stabilization is required before group work makes sense
Group therapy is often most effective when:
Isolation and loneliness are primary struggles
Relationship patterns keep repeating
Social anxiety needs to be worked through in real time with peers
You would benefit from peer feedback and connection
Identity questions are central
Depression involves disconnection from others
Both approaches work well when:
Individual therapy provides stabilization and trauma processing
Group therapy offers relational learning and peer connection
You need both focused individual work and peer relationships
At The Wellness Collective, we assess during intake which approach makes the most sense. Sometimes we recommend individual therapy instead of or before group. Sometimes we recommend both concurrently. Sometimes we start with group and add individual later, or vice versa.
For professionals referring clients: we're happy to consult with you about whether group or individual therapy would be the better fit for your client. Call us at 310-817-0599 to discuss.
Finding the Right Approach in Hermosa Beach, CA
Group therapy isn't "as good as" individual therapy—it's different. Both are effective. Both create meaningful change. The question is which one fits your needs.
At The Wellness Collective, we offer both individual and group therapy because we believe in both approaches. Our skilled therapists provide excellent individual therapy for children, teens, and young adults. And we specialize in interpersonal process groups facilitated by or supervised by a Certified Group Psychotherapist.
Whether you're a parent researching options for your child or a young adult looking for support for yourself, we'll help you figure out which approach—or both—makes the most sense.
Ready to explore whether individual therapy, group therapy, or both is right for you or your child?
Contact us to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. We'll assess what's going on and recommend the approach that actually fits your needs.
Phone: 310-817-0599
Email: Info@thewellnesscollectiveca.com
Website: www.thewellnesscollectiveca.com
For more information about group therapy, read:
Can Group Therapy Help Someone with High-Functioning Autism or Social Anxiety?
Is Group Therapy Confidential—What If Someone Shares My Story?
How Do I Choose the Right Kind of Group Therapy for My Child, Teen, or Young Adult?
What is the Difference between a Time-Limited Group and an Open-Ended Group?
What is Better—a Skills-Based Group or a Process Group?
Visit our Group Therapy page: www.thewellnesscollectiveca.com/group-therapy
About the Author
Leah Niehaus is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP) with over 20 years of clinical experience specializing in group therapy for children, adolescents, and young adults. As the owner and Clinical Director of The Wellness Collective in Hermosa Beach, California, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals navigate life's challenges through the transformative power of group therapy.
Leah earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Pepperdine University and her Master's in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach. Her clinical background includes community mental health, public child welfare, and psychiatric social work at UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital. She has been in private practice for 21 years and has operated a group practice for 9 years.
As a Certified Group Psychotherapist—an advanced credential representing specialized expertise in group therapy—Leah is recognized as an expert in group dynamics and interpersonal process therapy. She was recently honored by the City of Hermosa Beach as "Best of Clinical Social Work 2023."
Leah is a CAMFT Certified Clinical Supervisor, training the next generation of therapists. She serves as an Ambassador for South Bay Families Connected and sits on the Manhattan Beach Unified School District Medical Advisory Board. She is an active member of the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA),co-leads the Advanced Child & Adolescent Group Therapy Consult Group, and serves on the Public Outreach committee.
Leah is a frequent guest speaker and writer on parenting, adolescence, and group therapies. Her newsletter, "Lighter Touch with Leah," provides practical guidance for parents. As both a clinician and mother of three, she brings professional expertise and personal understanding to her work.
To learn more about Leah's approach or to schedule a free consultation, visit www.thewellnesscollectiveca.com or call 310-817-0599.
