Skills Groups vs. Process Groups: Which Type of Group Therapy is Right For You?

The term “Group Therapy” seems pretty self-explanatory…it’s just therapy, but in a group setting, right? Well, yes and no. There are many different types of therapy groups that differ based on the intended goals of the groups, the condition(s) they aim to treat, the clinical methods used by the facilitating therapists, and more. Keep reading to learn more about two of the most common types of group therapy, Skills Groups and Process Groups. 

What are Skills Groups?

As the name suggests, Skills Groups focus on teaching individuals therapeutic skills in a group setting. They are typically very structured, and they often follow an evidence-based curriculum. You can compare joining a skills group to taking an educational workshop or class–the facilitator acts as an instructor and teaches group members how to use practical, concrete skills and techniques to utilize in their everyday lives. The goal of a Skills Group is for participants to leave having gained knowledge and tools to help them improve their lives in a specific way. Interaction between group members is typically limited to practicing the provided skills and offering feedback related to the educational focus of the group. 

Types of Skills Groups 

Common types of Skills Groups include: 

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Skills Groups

• Social Skills Groups 

• Coping Skills Groups

• Parenting Skills Groups

• Executive Functioning Skills Groups

• Conflict/Anger Management Groups 

• And more 

Benefits of Skills Groups 

Some of the benefits of joining a Skills Group include: 

• Education on evidence-based skills and techniques 

• Opportunities to practice skills in a safe, supportive environment

• Comfort in knowing that there are people who are facing similar challenges

• Development of empathy, communication, and collaboration skills

• Improvements in confidence and self-esteem

What are Process Groups?

Process Groups, also referred to by us as Interpersonal Process Groups, focus on exploring the emotions and interpersonal dynamics of the members of the group. Unlike Skills Groups, Process Groups do not follow a set curriculum and tend to be much more flexible in the topics they cover. Members of a Process Group usually share similarities in age, life stage, diagnoses and/or life experiences. The goal of a Process Group is to provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to improve self-awareness and explore how their interactions with others either help or hinder their personal growth. The group facilitator typically lets the group members guide the discussion of the sessions while offering insight into how they can apply what is being explored to their relationships with others as well as themselves. 

Examples of Process Groups

Because Process Groups do not follow a specific curriculum, they can vary greatly and may even change over time as the group members progress or cycle through. In an outpatient setting, you may find Process Groups that are aimed towards individuals who: 

• Struggle with specific mental health conditions (e.g., Anxiety, Depression, Eating Disorders, etc.) 

• Have dysfunctional or problematic family dynamics 

• Are experiencing a life transition (e.g., entering adolescence, going to college, becoming a parent, etc.) 

• Have experienced trauma or have been diagnosed with PTSD 

• Are grieving the loss of a loved one 

• Are in recovery from an addiction  

• And more 

Benefits of Process Groups 

Some of the benefits of Process Groups include: 

• Receiving support and validation from your peers 

• Safety to be vulnerable and explore your emotions 

• Comfort in knowing that there are people who face the same struggles or have had similar experiences

• Development of empathy, communication, and collaboration skills

• Accountability for behaviors or cognitions that are negatively impacting your relationships 

Getting Started with Group Therapy 

Does it sound like you or your child might benefit from a Skills Group or Process Group, but you don’t know where to start? At Collaborative Minds Psychotherapy, we understand that joining a group can be intimidating, so we make the process of joining our groups very personal and supportive. We have several groups running at any given time and are continuously adding to our offerings, so even if you don’t see what you’re looking for, feel free to reach out to see if we can help! 

Contact us today to schedule a free 15-minute call with our intake coordinator to learn more about our current and upcoming group offerings.