Group therapy can be an effective way to cope with stress, anxiety, and emotional difficulties, especially for people who struggle to express their feelings or connect with others. Because of such stress, many people close themselves in and retreat into silence. However, a more effective solution may be to undergo individual therapy or to work with a group therapist. The focus is on the relationship between the members of the group and the feelings that arise simultaneously.
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Open the detailed description >>Over recent years, the main workflow of thousands of people has moved from offline to online, and mental health professionals are no exception. Today we are aiming to help licensed therapists and people seeking help understand whether online groups are a way out.
What is Online Group Therapy?
Before exploring the benefits, it is important to answer a foundational question: what is online group therapy?
Online group therapy is a form of mental health treatment where a small number of participants meet virtually with a licensed therapist to work through emotional, behavioral, or interpersonal challenges. These virtual group therapy sessions typically include 6 to 8 members and are guided by a trained professional who facilitates discussion, ensures a safe environment, and keeps the group focused on therapeutic goals.
Sessions generally last between 60 and 90 minutes. They follow a structured format where participants share experiences, offer mutual support, and practice new coping skills. Unlike informal peer support groups, telehealth group therapy is a formal clinical service. It adheres to strict confidentiality standards, making it a highly accessible option for individuals seeking professional care from their homes.
How Online Group Therapy Works: Features and Modalities
Online support groups solve emotional, behavioral and interpersonal problems with the help of group dynamics, relying on trusting social communication.
In a group you can help your clients talk about their problems without fear of condemnation, get an outside look at serious life situations, and correct their erroneous emotional and behavioral attitudes in practice. Group members gain valuable skills in effective conflict resolution and building healthy relationships.
Depending on the purpose of therapy, groups can be focused on mutual assistance, correcting symptoms of specific mental disorders, or therapeutic study of specific tasks like overcoming relationship issues and personal growth.
When providers ask what is online group therapy capable of achieving, the answer depends heavily on the modality and framework used. Virtual group therapy is not limited to a single format. Providers can choose from several delivery methods based on their clinical goals and the needs of their clients.
- Live Video Sessions: This is the most common format for telehealth group therapy. Participants join a secure video conference where they can see, hear, and interact with one another in real time. This format closely mirrors in-person dynamics and is ideal for processing emotions and practicing interpersonal skills.
- Phone-Based Sessions: For participants who lack reliable internet access or feel uncomfortable on camera, phone calls offer an accessible alternative. While visual cues are lost, voice-based therapy remains highly effective for verbal processing and support.
- Asynchronous Text-Based Therapy: Some virtual group therapy models utilize secure messaging platforms or forums. Participants can post their thoughts, respond to prompts, and support one another throughout the week at their own pace. This modality works well alongside live sessions.
In addition to these formats, providers often structure their virtual groups using evidence-based frameworks. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) have all been successfully adapted for online settings. These structured approaches give group sessions clear direction, ensuring that participants build tangible coping skills alongside peer support.
What Problems Can a Psychotherapist Solve Online?
If you are a private practice manager, or you work on your own, then you should get a closer look at the variety of problems patients want to solve online. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, millions of American adults experience mental health conditions each year, and a significant portion seek help through virtual care.
Telehealth group therapy is widely used for treating substance use disorder, eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. Group meetings are highly effective for overcoming systematic stress, emotional burnout, social anxiety, panic attacks, and low self-esteem.
Core Advantages of Online Group Therapy
#1. Realistic Interpersonal Practice
In individual sessions, an experienced specialist communicates with a client one-on-one and carefully chooses the right wording. A small group, however, is as close to reality as possible. Participants communicate in their usual style and recreate everyday activities. Group therapy practice clearly shows the patients' mistakes in social communication, indicates destructive emotional reactions, and helps them look at life problems from different angles.
#2. Trust of Equals
In a group, you can safely and without fear of condemnation solve the most painful problems of your clients: everyone is equal and in the same position. Participants listen carefully, offer emotional support, tell about similar situations, help eliminate mistakes together, and learn how to interact with others. Of course, this is all done under your strict supervision.
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Explore now >>#3. Fast, Intensive Feedback
The large number of participants and the extensive range of methods for interaction make group therapy services more intensive than single-person therapy. A therapeutic group allows members to give adequate feedback about how they feel about a person and what they are like. For example, a participant might claim he cannot make friends, but the group helps him realize he only talks about himself. This shared setting offers a rich emotional experience and a peer support network in a relatively short time.
#4. Cost and Time Efficiency
Group therapy is significantly cheaper than individual therapy, making mental health care accessible to a larger part of the population. If you are getting ready to start your own private practice, we recommend you consider this option. Furthermore, online sessions save valuable time. Clients in sprawling metropolitan areas can skip the traffic congestion and dedicate 1 to 2 hours directly to their therapy from home.
#5. Unmatched Accessibility
A key advantage of psychotherapeutic virtual group sessions is the ability to conduct them from anywhere in the world. Video consulting provides an opportunity to get specialist support right now. This is very convenient for clients traveling for work, those moving, or those living in small towns and settlements where there are simply no specialists capable of providing this help. For patients with severe physical limitations, a video chat is sometimes the only way out for their successful treatment.
Does Online Group Therapy Work?
Yes, it absolutely works. Multiple peer-reviewed studies confirm that online group therapy is just as effective as in-person treatment for many common conditions. The virtual format successfully facilitates the group dynamics necessary for reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation.
When participants first join, the online format might seem intimidating. However, the internet format is becoming increasingly popular precisely because it works. Participants first get to know each other in a safe digital space, and then begin to work deeply on their psychological problems. The therapeutic environment transfers seamlessly to the screen, allowing individuals to experience transference, projection, and mutual support just as they would in a physical office.
How is Everything Arranged Inside Online Group Therapy?
Each online group session follows a clear structure that keeps participants focused and ensures everyone has space to contribute. The therapist shapes the flow of the session, balancing individual work with group interaction. Working in an online group can be based on different schemes:
- Participants in pairs (or in teams) perform therapeutic exercises.
- Each participant is given 10-20 minutes for individual work with a psychologist.
- A participant may ask the group to discuss something in a discussion format.
- In some video meetings, theoretical blocks with information on psychology are also included.
Examples of exercises used in online group sessions
See the table for some examples of group communication and exercises during online sessions.
| "Letter-resource" | "Crossing the bridge" | "Metaphorical cards online" |
|---|---|---|
| The psychologist tells the group that not all people know their resources well. The participant calls his name, and the rest come up with his resources, which begin with the letter of his name (first, second, etc.) A person chooses the resource that attracted him the most. The group pronounces the combination of name and quality well. | There is a picture of a bridge on the screen (you may share your screen). Each member of a group should tell the other, where does the bridge lead him. You can ask the members to close their eyes and imagine it. Then discuss your thoughts. | The psychologist acts as a presenter and asks the patients to choose 5 cards blindly, without even asking any questions before that, without formulating requests. The psychologist asks the first player to look at the cards without showing them to others, and choose one that depicts an obstacle, difficulty. For example, he selects and puts out a card with a house, saying that it is falling apart. The task of the second player is to find among his cards and lay out the one that depicts an opportunity to solve the problem. |
| The results: positive feedback and higher self-esteem. | The results: social communication, active imagination, hidden phobias, and bad memories. | The results: reveals the deep contents of a person. |
The best online group therapy is where you play the facilitator role. Listen more than you speak, always keep that in mind.
Insurance Coverage for Virtual Group Therapy
Coverage for virtual group therapy has expanded considerably as telehealth has become a standard care delivery channel. When group therapy is facilitated by a licensed provider and deemed clinically appropriate, it may be eligible for coverage under many health plans, often leaving patients responsible only for their standard copay or coinsurance. This can make group sessions meaningfully more affordable than individual appointments.
Patients considering virtual group therapy should ask their plan administrator several practical questions: Is telehealth group therapy covered under my behavioral health benefits? Does the therapist need to hold a specific license type or use a particular platform? Is there a limit on the number of covered sessions per year?
Providers, in turn, can ease enrollment by preparing a short coverage FAQ for prospective group members. Sharing information about likely out-of-pocket costs, the documentation required to support a medical necessity determination, and the difference between a group session and an individual session helps patients make informed decisions before their first appointment. Transparent communication at the intake stage reduces drop-off and builds trust before the group even begins.
Online Group Therapy Software
Whether you run a group practice or a solo telehealth service, purpose-built practice management software makes running virtual group sessions far more manageable than stitching together general-purpose video tools.
Good mental health practice software handles the operational layer so you can focus on the clinical one: scheduling groups and sending automated reminders to every participant, maintaining session notes across an ongoing group, and giving patients a secure portal where they can confirm attendance and complete pre-appointment questionnaires.
Medesk is built for exactly this kind of practice. The permanently free plan supports up to 2 users, 1,000 patient records, and 50 appointments per month, with no credit card required. It includes online booking and email appointment reminders from day one. The Pro plan adds unlimited users and unlimited patient records, advanced booking rules, pre-appointment questionnaires, and a 7-day free trial. For full details, see the Pricing page.
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Open the detailed description >>The Telemedicine module makes it possible to run a group of up to 10 people via online video consultations directly from the platform. If you have Internet access, you and your patients can be anywhere. By the way, there are user-friendly apps for different operating systems.
Another advantage is that you can fill out all the reports during the online session without interrupting it. Making notes during the session is crucial, and we've got you covered here. The user-friendly interface helps you concentrate on the most important thing: active listening of the patients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Group Therapy
- Can group therapy be done online?
Yes, group therapy is highly effective when done online. Virtual sessions use secure video platforms to connect participants face-to-face, allowing them to build trust and process emotions just as they would in person.
- Is online group therapy effective?
Yes. Multiple peer-reviewed studies have shown that online group therapy is as effective as in-person therapy for many common conditions. Participants in virtual settings experience the same therapeutic benefits, including reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation.
- How many people are in a typical virtual group?
Most therapist-led virtual group therapy sessions consist of 6 to 8 members, plus one or two facilitators. This size is small enough to allow everyone time to share, but large enough to provide diverse perspectives and peer support.
- Is virtual group therapy confidential?
While no therapy is entirely without risk, licensed providers use secure, privacy-focused platforms to protect patient privacy. Additionally, all participants are required to sign strict confidentiality agreements before joining the group to ensure a safe environment.
- Can I do online group therapy via my phone?
Yes. Many telehealth group therapy platforms offer phone dial-in options or dedicated mobile apps. This ensures that individuals without access to high-speed internet or a computer can still participate fully in their sessions.
- What is the difference between online group therapy and online support groups?
Online group therapy is a structured clinical service led by a licensed therapist, with a defined treatment goal and formal confidentiality obligations for all participants. Online support groups and online mental health support groups, by contrast, are typically peer-led communities where members share experiences and encouragement without a clinician directing the process. Both have genuine value, but they serve different needs: therapy is the appropriate choice when a diagnosable condition or a clear therapeutic goal is involved, while peer-led online support groups work well as a complement to professional care.
- How do I find an online group therapy session?
Patients can start by asking their current therapist or GP whether they offer or can refer to a virtual group program. Therapist directories allow you to filter by group therapy and telehealth availability, making it straightforward to identify licensed providers running virtual groups in your area or in your preferred language. For mental health providers looking to set up and manage their own online group sessions, Medesk offers practice management tools that bring scheduling, reminders, and session notes together in one place.
As we can see, modern progress has made it much easier for people to get help. We spend most of the day online: from work and ordering food, to caring about their well-being. Keep up with the times and introduce online groups into your practice! This way you will help more people with less money.
