Read Time: 12 minutes

You have a paper due in two days and every time the cursor blinks on the page you feel your stomach churn. You're also thinking about the quiz you have to study for, play practice that starts later tonight, and whether or not you should hang out with friends afterward. 

If I don't go, what will I miss out on? If I do go, there's no way I'm going to finish this paper! And what about that quiz? I'm definitely going to fail! How am I supposed to get this all done? Everyone else seems to be doing it. Why can't I get it together?

Maybe you've had these thoughts before. Maybe they look a little different. Whatever the case, you've probably felt that sick feeling, the worry to "keep it together," the pressure to succeed, and the stress to fit in. As a teen, you're surrounded by messages of what you should look like, act like, do, and simply be. To say it's overwhelming is an understatement; we feel panicked, judged, hopeless, scared, depressed, isolated, and anxious. 

So while we all might want to wave a magic wand and "fix" everything, make the homework do itself, the drama disappear, and the painful feelings go away, we're stuck in this thing called reality. Thankfully, though, there's a space for us, a space for us to be brave, share our feelings and everyday stressors, learn coping skills that actually help, and maybe even meet new friends.

That space is teen group therapy.

What Exactly is Teen Group Therapy?

Group therapy might look a little different everywhere, but we can at least tell you what teen group therapy looks like here at Interfaith Bridge Counseling. 

Teen group therapy, like most group therapies, is an opportunity for young people to gather together to share experiences, feelings, and coping skills.

"Isn't group therapy just a place for people to complain? Or practice stupid affirmations?"

Well, sure. But it's also a place where you feel safer sharing your struggles and brave enough to offer insights about yourself and others. At Interfaith Bridge Counseling, we focus on fostering a place of community where you can have positive and meaningful interactions. It's a place to explore yourself, your thoughts, your emotions, and your values.

Let's dive a little deeper into why teen group therapy might be right up your alley.

10 Benefits of Teen Group Therapy

1. Provides a Brave and Safer Space

Psst...by the way…

WE’VE LAUNCHED ANOTHER TEEN CHAT GROUP FOR HIGH SCHOOL AGED TEENS. TEEN CHAT IS AN ONLINE, WEEKLY GROUP FOR TEENS WHO WANT TO MANAGE THEIR ANXIETY AND BUILD A LIFELONG COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS.

Out in your day-to-day life, people can say and do some mean shit. You might feel attacked, alone, or even isolated. Because this may be your lived experience, you never feel safe sharing your thoughts or feelings. In teen group therapy, we're in a more controlled environment that prioritizes community caretaking, social bravery, and emotional understanding. While we can't completely stop people from saying things that are hurtful or triggering, we can provide a more supportive environment for teenagers like you to share their experiences, feelings, and thoughts among others who most likely can relate to your struggles. 

2. Develops Social Skills

You know that saying, "Communication is key?" Well, that annoying saying is right. When we can't communicate to our peers what we want, value, or need, it's harder to function in our daily life. Teen group therapy can help develop social skills, like active listening, empathy, and teamwork. These skills help us build healthier relationships and feel more at ease navigating social situations.

3. Improves Self-Esteem

You know that brave and safer space we talk about earlier? Well, when we're in a safe place, like group therapy, we feel more secure in expressing ourselves as well as more capable of giving and receiving feedback. When we receive more positive, constructive feedback from young people like us, it helps us recognize our strengths and achievements. And that (you guessed it!) helps us feel better about ourselves.

4. Reduces Feelings of Anxiety and Depression

In a brave and safer environment where our priority is practicing community caretaking, we can begin to name and share those difficult emotions, like feelings of anxiety and depression. When we share, those feelings of hopelessness, isolation, and shame can start to lift a little. We might even be able to share tools and skills that we've learned to help us cope with our peers, which in turn helps others.

5. Encourages Personal Growth

Even though we're a community, we like to also focus on ourselves as individuals in teen group therapy. We help teenagers identify their aspirations and values. We like to be curious about what fulfills us and what doesn't. It's our mission to give you the support and guidance you need to find what makes you, well, you!

6. Teaches Coping Skills

In group therapy, we learn coping skills, such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and problem-solving skills. These skills help us better manage stress and anxiety, and better prepare us for the highs and lows in life.

7. Fosters Empathy and Compassion

Not only does group therapy help us feel less alone, but it also helps us practice empathy and radical compassion by helping us understand and relate to the experiences of others. This helps us develop a sense of community and kindness for others.

8. Offers Cost-Effective Treatment

Sometimes individual therapy isn't an option. And we get it. Teen group therapy is a cost-effective treatment option for young people who may not have the means or the ability to attend other types of therapy. Social support and peer feedback are just wonderful bonuses! You can learn more about our scholarship opportunities for group therapy by contacting us.

9. Helps Rebuild Trust

Someones when we've been hurt so often by our peers, it's hard to even think about trusting a group of teenagers. Group therapy is a place where you can start to rebuild that trust and learn that there are wonderful, unique, and caring people out there just like you who are worth getting to know and learning from.

10. Provides Community

Most of all, we want to provide you with a community. Group therapy provides teenagers with a sense of belonging by connecting us with others who are going through similar challenges. When we find people that we really connect with, we can build meaningful relationships and friendships. 

Teen Group Therapy in Denver and Throughout Colorado

At Interfaith Bridge Counseling, we provide a variety of group therapy options for teens and young adults looking for a supportive community. Check out our group therapy page to see what we have open; we regularly host a Teen Chat group and an EDS Teen Support Group and occasionally provide a Teen Sexual Health & Wellness Group and Teen Spirituality Group. 

We know life as a young adult can be rough, but we hope you know you don't have to navigate it alone. We welcome you to our community whenever you're ready. 

Until next time,

About Our Author | Lena McCain MA, LPC. 0017723

Lena McCain is our Founder here at Interfaith Bridge Counseling, where she continues her support as our Clinical Director. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health: Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from Naropa University.

Lena’s drive and passions lie in the realm of community building and youth collaboration, which she has spent the last 12 years studying with an emphasis on one’s exploration of personal growth, community healing, and multicultural values. Lena’s expertise in these areas and the therapeutic field acts as a reminder to our community, teens, and young adults that they are not alone in their experience of life.