“Group therapy is like an art piece. You are putting together 8 different colors or patterns and watching the dance come to life. You witness how these individuals interact with each other and how that mirrors what they have described about their interactions in the real world”
Group Therapy at GTLA involves 8 individuals coming together to better understand themselves through their relationships with others. Unlike individual therapy, where insight often emerges through dialogue with one clinician, group therapy provides a dynamic setting where growth occurs in real-time through interactions, feedback, and shared emotional experiences.
You’ll explore how you relate to others, how others respond to you, and what patterns emerge—often unconsciously—in connection. Over time, group becomes a trusted space where vulnerability is welcomed, reflection deepens, and the emotional risks you take translate into lasting change outside the room.
“We are all really well-trained psychologists who have almost forty years of experience in group therapy. This is our focus – it is the bread and butter of what we do. We, the psychologists, feel most alive when we are doing groups, which helps the groups them feel very more alive and fertile”
At GTLA, our process groups are led by Certified Group Psychotherapists (CGPs)—licensed psychologists who have completed advanced, multi-year training specifically in group dynamics and therapy. This level of expertise ensures that our groups are not only safe and supportive but also intentional, clinically grounded, and emotionally transformative.
We carefully compose each group based on clinical fit, interpersonal style, and shared goals. Our psychologists actively manage the emotional tone and depth of the group—guiding members to take meaningful risks, explore relational blind spots, and grow in ways that individual therapy alone often cannot provide.
Groups meet weekly for 75 minutes. What emerges—whether it’s a member’s personal experience, an emotional reaction, or something unfolding between members—becomes the material for exploration.
The psychologist helps guide the group into deeper reflection, emotional clarity, and relational insight. Over time, members begin to notice how they show up in the group—what they share or withhold, how they react, and how they connect or withdraw. These patterns present powerful opportunities for self-understanding and personal growth.
Group therapy allows you to experience your relational patterns as they happen. In individual therapy, you may describe feeling misunderstood or overlooked. In a group, you might feel that in the moment, and then explore it, reflect on it, and shift it with support. Group therapy offers multiple perspectives, real-time feedback, and the opportunity to explore new ways of connecting.
While individual therapy offers insight, group therapy brings that insight into action.
These benefits often show up not just in group, but in your daily relationships—with partners, friends, family, and colleagues.
“The groups are representative of all different ages, backgrounds, etc. There isn’t a perfect person for the group, rather it is the unique blend of the group that makes it work. Group therapy can be especially helpful for anyone who is interested in working on how they relate to the world, specifically their relational issues with work, family and/or friends.
Group is a great fit for people who are ready to look more closely at how they relate to others. You don’t need to be extroverted or fluent in therapy language—just willing to show up, reflect, and grow. Many of our clients are high-functioning individuals who feel stuck in relational patterns or have social anxiety, or want to work on their assertiveness or have intimacy/trust issues and more. They all want to develop emotional depth, or have done individual therapy and are ready for something deeper and more experiential.
Our psychologists don’t just facilitate—they lead with skill and intention. As Certified Group Psychotherapists, they are trained to observe subtle group dynamics, support emotional safety, and guide members into deeper understanding. They highlight patterns, name avoidance or disconnection, and encourage emotional risk-taking that leads to growth. Their presence ensures that the group is both grounded and transformative.
The “here-and-now” refers to what’s happening between members in real time. If a pattern shows up in your outside life—like pulling away when you feel vulnerable—it will likely emerge in the group. The difference? In group, you can pause, name it, explore it, and try something new. Working in the moment brings therapy alive and allows real change to unfold where it matters most: in your relationships.
Growth in group often looks like small but significant shifts:
A few examples include?
These breakthroughs don’t happen all at once—but they build. And because they’re practiced in a live setting, they tend to stick.
Almost everyone is. It’s normal to feel hesitant about sharing with strangers. Our psychologists are attuned to this and help the group ease in gradually. There’s no expectation to disclose more than you’re ready for. What many clients find is that once they begin, the fear gives way to connection, relief, and a sense of belonging they didn’t expect.
“As the group leader, we will not let you shrivel. What will wind up happening is that there will be a lot of attention to why you aren’t getting attention. Why aren’t you taking up space? Why isn’t the group letting you finish? We then analyze all the reasons why both in group and in life you may not be getting the attention you deserve or want”
Yes. While group time is shared, the attention you receive is personal and specific. You’ll be seen not only by the psychologist, but by others who offer support, reflection, and resonance. Often, hearing how others experience you—and watching them work through their own struggles—can be just as powerful as talking.
Each potential member meets individually with a psychologist first. We learn about your goals, relational style, and readiness for group. Based on that, we recommend a group where the clinical and interpersonal fit is strong. This careful matching helps create groups that feel safe, cohesive, and well-balanced.
Group therapy requires an initial commitment of 16 weeks, to allow time for trust and connection to build. Groups are ongoing and most members choose to stay for many months—or longer—because the experience becomes so meaningful. Drop-in sessions or one-time visits don’t allow for the kind of depth and safety that make group truly effective.
Tension and discomfort are part of any real relationship—and part of real growth. Our psychologists are trained to work with conflict as a meaningful part of the process, not something to avoid. When handled skillfully, these moments can lead to some of the most transformative breakthroughs in group therapy.
Yes. Many clients do both. Individual therapy allows for focused, private work; group offers a place to apply that work relationally. The two often complement each other and can deepen the impact of both formats.
Group may not be appropriate for individuals in acute crisis, struggling with psychosis, or unable to maintain emotional or behavioral safety in a shared space. It may also not be ideal for those who are unable to tolerate interpersonal engagement. You must have enough “ego-strength” to be in the group. In those cases, individual therapy is typically recommended first, with group as a future option.
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