May 24, 2022
Covid-19 and advancements in technology have shifted the way people access group therapy. Groups have gone online to be able to continue using their support systems. Individuals and professionals are aware that people are searching for mental health support, but they cannot gain access to it. Those who live in rural settings may not live in a place where groups are available, many people have limited mobility, or they may not feel safe meeting in group settings.
This is where group teletherapy options have become important. It can be challenging for providers to navigate how to support and help their new online clients. One way is to use technology in the form of a group therapy app. This article will explore group therapy and how the Noble App is an excellent resource for this emerging field.
Mental health professionals are burning out from the number of clients seeking help. Many clients need support for depression, anxiety, sleep problems, trauma, addiction, and skill-building. Utilizing group therapy to address these struggles would be appropriate and beneficial to both the practitioner and clients since it provides professional psychological services for multiple people at one time and provides a built-in support system and social network to help minimize isolation. Additionally, virtual therapy is a preferred and needed option for individuals in rural areas who do not have access to care, individuals with mobility struggles that make it difficult to go to an in-person session, and individuals who are worried about crowds.
For some, group therapy is the most appropriate or preferred option because:
In
a study published in the National Library of Medicine on patients' experience with web and mobile-based group therapy, some patients expressed their thoughts.
"It was a nice mix of talking and practical exercises... and it was in a group. This was quite nice, because I frequently feel as if no one understands me... I found a friend there and we are still in contact."
"I was diagnosed with depression and I thought... 'Okay that's an easy way to seek psychological treatment.' I was also curious and interested in learning ways to cope with it."
When setting up a group for teletherapy, it is essential to:
Systems to Discuss for Group Teletherapy:
Environmental Set-up Considerations:
Privacy Essentials:
The number of psychologists using telehealth today is more significant than ever before. The APA
reports that 96% of psychologists who responded to a practitioner survey reported telehealth is effective therapeutically, and 97% said telehealth should remain post-pandemic. The number of clinicians using telehealth with some patients also rose from 33% in 2020 to 50% in 2021.
With the growing number of practitioners using telehealth, what are some of the advantages and challenges of group teletherapy?
Advantages of Group Teletherapy | Challenges of Group Teletherapy |
---|---|
Access is easier for those with physical limitations, parents of small children who would need childcare, and those who may be ill. | Finding the right group and making connections can be difficult. |
It is more cost-effective with no traveling expenses, parking expenses, a group rate, and less expensive telehealth rates. | There are privacy and confidentiality concerns with finding a private place to have a meeting and making sure others do not hear what the group is saying. |
There is no waiting room or travel time so it is more time-effective. | Having good internet connection for the meeting as well as the correct devices with a working camera and microphone can create challenges. |
Being able to sign on anywhere increases the likelihood that clients will join, so there are fewer missed appointments. | Making a connection with the clients takes more effort from the practitioner. |
Those who live far away and do not have access to care in their area can join, and those who fear being around in-person groups. For many people, it is easier to open up to a group when they are safe at home instead of in person. | Reading cues of the clients across the online platform requires greater attention. |
Coordinating a meeting time for multiple people is more straightforward, and reminders are sometimes built-in to the software. | There can be noise in the background that makes it hard to hear and causes distractions. |
There are many advantages to group teletherapy and the challenges can be worked through, especially with the use of a good group therapy app.
There is a lot to consider when using a group therapy app, and Noble is designed to help you smoothly integrate the technology into your practice. As health professionals ourselves, we support therapists and clients by combining the power of machines with vital human connections. The Noble app makes virtual group therapy
easy for
clinicians and clients.
Noble is consistently building various online counseling software and materials for better between-session care. We support businesses, counselors, mental health professionals, and clients, paving a smoother path to healing. If you have questions about using our platform in your practice,
Contact Noble today.