Building Connections. Developing Skills. Finding Support.
Build healthy coping skills, strengthen relationships, and connect with others in a supportive group environment.
Group Therapy in Utah
It can be easy to feel isolated when you’re dealing with emotional, behavioral or mental health challenges. Group therapy provides an opportunity to work on important skills in a structured environment with other people who may be facing similar concerns.
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Quality Youth Services provides group therapy in Utah as part of its mental health services.
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Group counseling can help participants recognize that they are not alone, learn from different
perspectives, practice communication and relationship skills, and develop healthier ways of responding to difficult emotions and situations.
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Quality Youth Services has locations in Harrisville, Logan and Pleasant Grove, Utah. Group availability, eligibility and schedules can vary, so individuals and families should contact QYS for current information about available groups.
What Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a form of mental health treatment in which multiple participants meet with one or more mental health professionals.
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Unlike an informal support group, clinical group therapy typically has therapeutic goals and is facilitated by a trained professional.
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Depending on the group, participants may work on areas such as:
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Coping skills
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Emotional regulation
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Communication
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Relationships
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Problem-solving
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Managing stress
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Understanding emotions
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Developing healthier behaviors
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Interpersonal skills
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Responding to difficult situations
The exact structure and goals depend on the particular group.
How Does Group Therapy Work?
Group therapy usually brings together participants who can benefit from working on related concerns or skills.
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A therapist facilitates the sessions, provides structure and helps participants engage appropriately with one another.
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Some groups are highly structured and focus on learning specific skills.
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Others may allow more time for participants to discuss experiences, challenges and progress.
Depending on the program, a session might include:
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Learning a new skill
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Discussing a particular topic
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Practicing coping strategies
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Role-playing communication
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Problem-solving
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Discussing challenges
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Setting goals
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Reviewing progress
Participants may benefit not only from the therapist but also from hearing how other people approach similar situations.
Group Therapy for Teens
Adolescence can be an especially valuable time for appropriate group therapy because peer relationships become increasingly important.
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Teenagers sometimes believe that adults cannot understand what they are experiencing.
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A professionally facilitated group can provide a setting where teens interact with peers while developing healthier skills and perspectives.
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Depending on the specific group offered, teen group therapy may address areas such as:
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Emotional regulation
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Communication
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Anger
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Relationships
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Coping skills
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Social skills
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Stress
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Behavioral concerns
Not every teenager is appropriate for every group.
Quality Youth Services can help families determine whether an available group may be suitable for their teen.
Group Therapy for Children
Children can also benefit from group-based mental health services when an appropriate group is available.
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Group settings may allow children to practice:
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Taking turns
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Listening
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Communicating
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Recognizing emotions
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Problem-solving
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Coping with frustration
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Interacting with peers
Activities and expectations should be appropriate to the developmental level of the children participating.
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Parents should contact Quality Youth Services regarding current child group therapy options.
Group Therapy for Adults
Adults may also benefit from group therapy depending on the groups currently offered.
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A group environment can provide opportunities to work on coping strategies, emotional regulation, relationships, communication and other mental health concerns.
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Group therapy may be used independently in some circumstances or alongside individual therapy.
Contact Quality Youth Services to determine what adult groups, if any, are currently available.
Group Therapy and DBT
Quality Youth Services also offers a DBT Program.
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy, commonly called DBT, emphasizes skills in areas that can include emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness and mindfulness.
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Some DBT services use group-based skills training as part of a broader treatment approach.
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Because program structures and eligibility can vary, families should review the dedicated DBT Program information and contact Quality Youth Services to determine how the QYS program is currently structured.
Group Therapy vs. Individual Therapy
Group and individual therapy have different advantages.
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Individual therapy provides one-on-one time with a therapist and allows treatment to focus closely on one person’s experiences and goals.
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Group therapy provides opportunities to interact with others, learn from different perspectives and practice interpersonal skills.
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Some people participate in both.
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For example, a teenager might work privately with a therapist while also participating in a skills-focused group.
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The appropriate approach depends on the individual’s needs and treatment plan.
Group Therapy vs.
Support Groups
The terms “group therapy” and “support group” are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not necessarily the same.
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Clinical group therapy is generally:
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Facilitated by a mental health professional
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Structured around therapeutic goals
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Part of mental health treatment
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Designed to address particular concerns or skills
A community support group may be peer-led and focused primarily on shared experiences and mutual support.
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People searching for a mental health support group should ask whether the program is clinical group therapy, a skills group, a support group or another type of service.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Group Therapy?
Group therapy can be helpful for many people, but it is not automatically the right treatment for everyone.
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Suitability may depend on:
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The individual’s mental health needs
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Age
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Treatment goals
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Ability to participate appropriately
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The purpose of the group
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Current symptoms
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Group availability
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Recommendations from a mental health professional
An assessment or initial conversation may help determine whether a particular group is appropriate.
What Should I Expect at My First Group Therapy Session?
The experience will depend on the specific group.
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Participants may receive information about:
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The purpose of the group
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Expectations
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Confidentiality
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Attendance
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Appropriate participation
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Group rules
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Topics or skills that will be covered
No one should expect to know exactly what to say during a first group session.
It often takes time to become comfortable participating.
How Many People Are in a Therapy Group?
Group size varies depending on the type of therapy, participants, program and goals.
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A smaller group may allow more individual participation, while some structured programs can accommodate larger groups.
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Quality Youth Services can provide information about the size and structure of a particular group when you inquire about current programs.
Group Therapy in Harrisville, Logan and Pleasant Grove
Quality Youth Services provides mental health services through three Utah locations.
Harrisville
The Harrisville location serves individuals and families in Harrisville, Ogden and surrounding northern Utah communities.
Logan
The Logan location serves individuals and families throughout Logan, Cache Valley and surrounding communities.
Pleasant Grove
The Pleasant Grove location provides mental health services for Pleasant Grove and surrounding Utah County communities.
Visit the individual Harrisville, Logan or Pleasant Grove location page to learn more.