Group Therapy vs. Individual Therapy: Which Is Right for You?

When you’re navigating the tender seasons of trying to conceive, pregnancy loss, or being postpartum, you may find yourself wondering where to turn for support. You may already know that therapy can help—but choosing between individual vs group therapy can feel like another decision on an already full plate.

The truth is, both group and individual therapy can be profoundly healing in different ways. Many people engage in both at the same time, so it doesn’t have to be an either/or. The decision depends on your needs, your personality, and the kind of support you’re craving at this stage of your life.

Let’s explore how each option works, who is group therapy for, and why so many parents in Los Angeles are discovering the benefits of parent support groups in LA alongside individual therapy.

Individual Therapy: Personalized Support for Your Journey

Individual therapy is a customized space where the focus is entirely on you. Many of my clients are high-achieving women and nonbinary people who are used to showing up fully for others—partners, colleagues, children—yet rarely give themselves the same attention. In individual therapy, you have the rare opportunity to be cared for in return.

In this setting, you can dive deeply into personal challenges: grief after pregnancy loss, anxiety around IVF, perfectionism in parenthood, or difficulty adjusting to postpartum changes. The pace and focus are tailored specifically to your needs, allowing for deeper exploration and individualized coping strategies.

Research shows that individual therapy is highly effective in treating a wide range of mental health concerns, including perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (O’Hara & Wisner, 2014). With the focused attention of a therapist, you can work through sensitive issues that might feel too vulnerable to share in a group.

Individual therapy may be the best fit if you:

• Prefer privacy and one-on-one attention

• Want to explore sensitive or complex personal history

• Thrive in a space where the focus is entirely on your inner world

Group Therapy: Healing in Community

Group therapy, or parent support groups in LA, offers a very different but equally powerful kind of support. In a small, therapist-led group, you join with others who are walking a similar path. Instead of feeling like you’re the only one struggling, you could discover that others share your fears, frustrations, and longings.

This can be especially meaningful during the perinatal season. Many parents feel pressure to present a picture-perfect life, even when they’re silently struggling with sleepless nights, relationship changes, or identity shifts. In group therapy, the mask can come off, and you’re met with understanding nods instead of judgment.

Studies have shown that group therapy can be just as effective as individual therapy for many concerns, and it offers unique benefits such as reducing isolation and normalizing difficult feelings (Burlingame, Strauss, & Joyce, 2013). The sense of belonging and mutual support often becomes a healing force in itself.

Group therapy may be the right choice if you:

• Crave connection with others going through similar experiences

• Want to feel less alone in your struggles

• Value learning insights and coping strategies from a trained mental health profession in a structured format
  

Individual vs Group Therapy: How to Choose

If you’re wondering how to choose between individual vs group therapy, know that there’s no “wrong” answer. Many of my clients benefit from a combination of both: individual sessions for deep personal work, paired with group therapy for connection and community.

Ask yourself:

• Do I feel more comforted by intimate one-on-one conversations, or am I longing for a sense of belonging with peers?

• Am I navigating something highly personal that I’m not ready to share, or would it feel freeing to talk about it with others who truly get it?

• Do I want personalized strategies, or am I seeking shared wisdom and encouragement?
  

Sometimes, the very process of exploring these questions in a consultation can bring clarity.

Consider Your Current Needs

Both group therapy and individual therapy are powerful vehicles for healing. As you consider your next step, remember that therapy is not about choosing the “perfect” option—it’s about finding the support that feels nourishing, sustainable, and aligned with where you are right now.

If you’re in Los Angeles and curious about parent support groups in LA, or if you’re trying to decide between individual vs group therapy, I’d love to help you explore what would be the best fit for you.

✨ Ready to take the next step? Schedule a free consultation with me today, and let’s talk about what kind of support will help you feel grounded, cared for, and connected as you move through this chapter of your life.

References:

• Burlingame, G. M., Strauss, B., & Joyce, A. S. (2013). Change mechanisms and effectiveness of small group treatments. In M. J. Lambert (Ed.), Bergin and Garfield’s Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behavior Change (6th ed., pp. 640–689). Wiley.

• O’Hara, M. W., & Wisner, K. L. (2014). Perinatal mental illness: Definition, description and aetiology. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 28(1), 3–12.