Group therapy provides a supportive space where individuals can share experiences, develop coping strategies, and build meaningful connections with others who understand the challenges of substance use recovery.
At Spring Grove Recovery in Colorado Springs, group therapy is foundational to our addiction therapy programs and plays an essential role in our treatment programs. Whether you're participating in medical detox or residential treatment, group therapy offers a safe opportunity to share your thoughts, express emotions, learn new skills, and support others as they heal.
Find your place in a supportive community
What is group therapy?
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy where a small group of people gather regularly to discuss and process a wide range of concerns. This can mean talking about their grief, anxiety, depression, and a host of other emotional challenges. These groups are led by a licensed mental health professional, and the purpose is to provide a supportive space for people to safely explore difficult thoughts and emotions while gaining insight from others in similar situations.
This group format encourages open dialogue, mutual support, ,nd the development of interpersonal skills. With its emphasis on peer interaction and therapist-led discussion, group therapy offers a unique opportunity for you to learn from others and build meaningful connections that help the healing process.
But how does group therapy relate to addiction?
Therapy groups for recovery can be profoundly significant in an individual’s journey to sobriety. It provides an opportunity to build on what you’re learning in individual therapy and bond with others as you discuss how to navigate real-world challenges. It’s a judgment-free space, where you’re learning together.
During medical detox and inpatient care, group therapy helps clients:
- Process the emotional impact of addiction
- Build healthy communication and accountability
- Learn from others' successes and setbacks
We tailor our group therapy sessions to the needs of the men and women we serve at Spring Grove Recovery. We think carefully through the composition of each group, the benefits to each client, where they are in the process of addiction treatment, and the type of group that best suits their needs.
How does group therapy fit within the continuum of addiction treatment?
Group therapy works hand-in-hand with all the other important aspects of an effective addiction treatment model. It reinforces what individuals are working on during their one-on-one therapy sessions, helping them practice new coping strategies in real time, and strengthens social bonds that will be even more essential post-treatment.
During inpatient care, group therapy helps clients build healthy communication with people going through scenarios like their own. This not only helps to build confidence, but is often the basis for accountability relationships beyond treatment.
The group therapy program at Spring Grove Recovery
For those receiving medication-assisted treatment (MAT), group therapy provides additional emotional and psychological support. And for individuals receiving co-occurring mental health treatment, group sessions offer a safe place to address both substance use and emotional wellness. Individual and group therapy work in tandem to create a whole-person healing experience at Spring Grove Recovery. These components help imbue our program participants with greater empathy and resilience.
Healing happens together
How are people grouped together in therapy?
Participating in a group can be intimidating for some people. They wonder if they’ll say something that sounds strange, be embarrassed, or be unable to connect with the other people in the group. That’s why our clinical team takes the time to thoughtfully assemble clients based on:
- Type of substance use
- The stage of their recovery
- Their mental health needs
- Personality types and style of communication
Taking into account these factors ensures everyone feels safe, respected, and has an opportunity to bond with people who understand their experience. Our goal is to foster cohesion and camaraderie through honest, productive conversations that bring about growth.
Keeping groups somewhere between 6-12 clients allows for richer conversation and decreases feelings of overwhelm. Each group is led by an experienced therapist trained in both trauma-informed care and substance use recovery.
Are there guidelines for group therapy?
In order for participants to feel safe sharing openly, there are certain guidelines that everyone is asked to respect and abide by, including keeping things confidential. One of the most common concerns people have before entering group therapy is whether what they share will be kept private. To address this, all members agree to a confidentiality policy at the outset.
While no environment outside an individual therapy session can guarantee complete privacy, every group participant is expected to protect one another’s stories. Therapists reinforce these expectations regularly, and any breach of trust is taken seriously.
You’ll never be asked to share more than you’re comfortable with and you don’t need to be a great speaker or have all the answers. Participation is about showing up with honesty and vulnerability, which most participants are more comfortable with as their trust in one another grows.
Clients are also encouraged to:
- Listen actively and respectfully
- Offer and receive feedback
- Practice new coping skills
Group therapy sessions at Spring Grove Recovery are guided by expert therapists who make your emotional safety a priority.
The benefits of group therapy summarized
Participating in group therapy offers these key benefits:
- Peer support: Knowing you're not alone can keep you motivated and give you hope when you’re struggling to find them on your own.
- Emotional release: Sharing in a supportive environment reduces shame and the isolation you feel when you think you’re the only one experiencing something.
- Accountability: Encouragement from peers reinforces personal goals, helping you stay on track.
- Skill development: Reinforce skills learned in individual therapy or get new tips from others on things like emotional regulation, boundaries, and relapse prevention.
While individual therapy offers private, one-on-one support, group therapy provides unique interpersonal growth opportunities. It encourages real-time feedback and social-learning in ways that individual sessions can't. Group therapy can accelerate your healing and deepen your commitment to recovery.
At Spring Grove, we believe both components of addiction treatment are essential.
You don’t have to do this alone
The 5 Stages of Group Therapy
Group dynamics and development are something our team gives careful thought to. One factor therapists consider is how to best facilitate the five stages of group therapy and where participants are in that process. Understanding this sequence may help you feel more comfortable while participating in a group.
The five stages include:
1. Forming
Members are introduced, and a therapist sets the tone by establishing group norms and expectations. This stage is often marked by politeness and caution, as people dip their toes in the water with small talk, slowly building trust. For example, someone might share a small detail about their background or why they’re seeking support without getting too personal.
2. Storming
As members grow more comfortable, differing personalities and perspectives may lead to conflict or some awkward moments. Trust is still being established, and some people may challenge the rules or question the value of group participation. A participant might feel frustrated when someone else dominates the conversation or disagrees with their viewpoint. This is part of early group dynamics and isn’t anything to worry about.
3. Norming
The group begins to settle into a rhythm with one another. Trust strengthens, and members start to respect each other's boundaries and contributions. Feedback becomes more constructive. For instance, a client who was once hesitant may begin to share more openly, encouraged by the group’s support.
4. Performing
At this point, the group is fully engaged. Members offer one another deep insights, they express themselves vulnerably, and support each other's progress. The therapist takes a more facilitative role, allowing the group dynamic to lead the healing process. One client might share a breakthrough in understanding a relapse trigger, prompting others to reflect on their own progress or offer encouragement. This is the stage in which people begin to enjoy their time in the group and lasting bonds are formed.
5. Adjourning
As formal treatment concludes and members transition to aftercare support, the group focuses on closure and reflection. Participants are encouraged to acknowledge their growth, express their appreciation for each other, and prepare for life beyond group sessions. Clients may exchange contact info to stay connected or share final thoughts on how the group helped shape their recovery journey.
At each stage, our therapists provide guidance to ensure a positive, productive experience that participants glean wisdom and connection from.
How does group therapy in recovery differ from support groups?
While support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are peer-led, group therapy at Spring Grove Recovery is led by licensed professionals using structured, evidence-based approaches. The facilitation of therapy groups requires clinical expertise and are part of a larger continuum of care. Group therapy is not just about sharing experiences, but processing them in a way that promotes deep, lasting change.
Approaches to group therapy at Spring Grove Recovery
The clinical expertise that our therapists bring to the Spring Grove Recovery team means that they’re able not only to lead groups, but also use evidence-based techniques to address individual goals and offer different types of groups based on clients’ needs.
Approaches utilized include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Motivational interviewing (MI)
- Trauma-informed care
- Mindfulness and emotion regulation
These techniques help clients develop insight, reframe negative thought patterns, and continue to make progress toward their individual goals.
Who benefits most from group therapy
Group therapy at our treatment center supports people walking through many types of substance use recovery, including:
- Alcohol
- Opioids (heroin, fentanyl, prescription painkillers)
- Benzodiazepines
- Methamphetamines and cocaine
- Polysubstance use
We also provide integrated care for co-occurring mental health disorders like PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Call today for more information about group therapy at Spring Grove Recovery
Located in the serene foothills of Colorado Springs, Spring Grove Recovery provides a peaceful environment designed for your healing and empowerment. Group therapy is a vital component of both our medical detox and residential programs. We accept Medicaid and most commercial insurance, and our team is available 24/7 to help you get started.
Addiction thrives in isolation. Recovery grows in connection. If you're ready to build a solid plan for a successful sober lifestyle, group therapy at Spring Grove Recovery can help you do that. Call 719.415.3460 or submit our online form today to learn more about our addiction therapy programs.
