What Happens in Group Therapy During PHP and IOP Programs?

Group therapy brings together individuals experiencing mental health issues in a safe, confidential setting led by a trained mental health professional. 

While sharing experiences can be part of group therapy, sessions often focus on:

• Learning practical skills
• Exploring common challenges
• Practicing healthier ways of thinking and responding to difficult situations

Depending on your treatment plan, group therapy may incorporate evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness practices, stress management techniques, emotional regulation, and psychoeducation. 

These approaches help participants better understand their mental health while building tools they can use in everyday life.

Although every session is different, most group therapy sessions follow a structured format that encourages learning, participation, and personal growth.

Here’s what to expect from group therapy, whether you’re taking part in PHP or IOP.

Many sessions begin with a brief check-in, giving participants the opportunity to share how they’ve been feeling, discuss recent successes or challenges, and identify goals for the session. 

This introduction gives the therapist insight into what participants may need while helping everyone settle into the session.

A significant portion of group therapy focuses on learning practical strategies for managing mental health symptoms. 

Topics may include:

• Managing anxiety and stress
• Regulating emotions
• Building healthy relationships
• Setting boundaries
• Improving communication
• Practicing mindfulness
• Developing healthy coping skills

Therapists lead thoughtful discussions around shared experiences and treatment topics. They encourage participants to contribute their thoughts, but no one is required to share before they feel ready.

Hearing different perspectives often helps people realize they are not alone in what they’re experiencing while offering new ways to approach mental health issues.

Many sessions include interactive activities that allow participants to practice new skills in a supportive environment. 

These exercises may include role-playing conversations, completing worksheets, practicing relaxation, or working through real-life scenarios before applying these skills outside of treatment.

A Partial Hospitalization Program provides a highly structured level of care.

Because participants spend about six hours in treatment, five days each week, group therapy becomes an essential part of the healing process.

In PHPs, frequent group sessions allow participants to reinforce new coping skills, receive ongoing support, and practice healthier behaviors consistently throughout treatment. 

This regular interaction helps build confidence while providing opportunities to address challenges as they arise rather than waiting until a weekly therapy appointment. Along with individual therapy and other treatment services, group therapy allows people to practice skills, receive feedback, and stay connected during treatment.

As individuals transition into an Intensive Outpatient Program, they begin applying the skills they’ve learned while balancing work, school, family, and other daily responsibilities.

Group therapy provides a valuable opportunity to discuss real-life experiences, celebrate progress, and work through obstacles encountered outside of treatment. Participants often return to sessions with new insights, allowing therapists and peers to offer encouragement, guidance, and practical suggestions for managing everyday situations.

IOP encourages greater independence, and group therapy helps reinforce accountability. It can also remind participants that they continue to have a strong support system throughout their recovery journey.

Feeling nervous before your first group therapy session is something many people experience. Many people worry they’ll be expected to speak in front of strangers or share deeply personal experiences before they’re ready.

Group therapy’s welcoming, supportive nature recognizes that everyone participates differently, especially at first. While you’re encouraged to engage in discussions, you’re never forced to share anything that makes you uncomfortable.

Many participants find that simply listening during their first few sessions helps them become more comfortable. As trust develops, many naturally begin participating more as they recognize they’re surrounded by people facing similar challenges.

For many individuals, hearing someone else describe feelings or experiences they’ve struggled to put into words themselves becomes one of the most meaningful parts of group therapy.

Sources:

1. Group Therapy — National Library of Medicine
2. Treatment Settings — National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).