In group therapy, a small number of people, usually around five to ten, meet regularly with one or two therapists to talk about their experiences and concerns. A group may focus on a specific topic, such as anxiety or grief, or be an open group for working on relationships and emotions.
One of the most powerful parts of a group is realising you are not alone. Hearing others' stories, receiving honest feedback and practising new behaviours in a safe space are things that do not happen in quite the same way in individual sessions.
Something else may fit better if…
A group begins with clear agreements: confidentiality (what is said in the group stays there), respect, regular attendance and everyone's right to speak when they are ready. The therapist holds a safe space and keeps the conversation useful.
Some groups are structured, with a skill or topic each session, such as CBT or DBT skills groups. Others are more open and work with what happens between members in the moment, because the way we relate in a group often mirrors how we relate in life.
Therapists usually talk with each person before they join to make sure the group is a good fit.
Online group sessions usually last 75 to 90 minutes and often meet weekly. You do not have to share everything from the first session; many people mostly listen at first.
Some groups run for a set period, for example eight to twelve sessions, and others are ongoing. For privacy, joining from a quiet room on your own with headphones is recommended.
Examples are fictional and illustrative.
Parisa had arrived in Melbourne six months earlier and thought she was the only one feeling so homesick and lost. In an online Farsi-speaking group she saw that others felt the same. Hearing the ways they had found to cope gave her hope. This example is fictional.
Keyvan was always quiet in groups. With gentle encouragement from the therapist he began sharing his views and received kind feedback. Later he tried the same at work. This story is made up.
Fereshteh had lost her father from far away and could not attend the funeral. In a grief group she met people with similar experiences and was able to cry about it for the first time. This example is fictional.
These therapists list this on their profile. All sessions are online and in Persian.
All members agree to confidentiality before starting, and the therapist upholds it. Still, you decide what and how much you share.
Many people start with the same worry. Nobody is forced to speak, and listening is a valuable part of being in a group.
For some it is enough, for others it complements individual work. A therapist can help you decide what suits you.
Many members say a sense of closeness develops after a few sessions. For Farsi speakers spread across many countries, online may be the only way to find such a group.
This page is general information and does not replace a professional assessment. If you are in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact your local emergency services. Urgent help
