What Happens In OCD Group Therapy?

Imagine waking up every day with intrusive thoughts that your house or workstation might catch fire and that it would be entirely your fault. As a response, you constantly check and recheck whether the gas stove, lights, and appliances are all turned off or unplugged.

From the outside, people might think it is a usual habit, but from the inside, people grappling with OCD are battling against the never-ending cycle of obsessive thoughts and the need to perform compulsive behaviors.

When no one understands what you are going through, OCD can be a deeply isolating condition. Hence, for those struggling with it, seeking help through group therapy provides a sense of relief and empowerment.In this setting, you interact with people with whom you share similar challenges and coping methods. The supportive environment it can offer creates a safe space where you feel heard and acknowledged. 

Let’s explore in this discussion how group therapy fosters resilience and has marked significant changes among people with OCD. 

OCD Group Therapy: How It Works?

Navigating OCD can be an intensely personal journey. People often hesitate to share their daily struggles with their family members or friends out of apprehension that they may be brushed off or criticized.

Hence, embarking on a treatment program such as group therapy where there is a safe space marks a pivotal step towards overcoming OCD. Let’s delve into some highlights of what to expect in the OCD group therapy sessions:

• Structured Sessions: Group therapy for OCD involves structured sessions facilitated by a therapist with a specialization in OCD treatment. The group is typically composed of five to ten members, and each session lasts one to two hours and is scheduled either weekly or biweekly. 
• Supportive Environment: One of the main goals of group therapy is to provide a safe atmosphere for people with OCD. This group environment brings people together who share similar challenges, setbacks, and successes, creating an avenue for emotional support and validation. It also enhances treatment outcomes by promoting empathy, reducing feelings of isolation, encouraging personal growth, and learning from each other. 
• Psychoeducation: In the first few sessions, the therapist provides psychoeducation to the participants to help them understand the nature of OCD as a mental health condition. It explores its symptoms, causes, potential risk factors, impact on daily life, and treatment options. The therapist also discusses the rationale of group therapy so that participants can take an active role in their recovery journey. 
• Regular Check-Ins: Each session starts with mental health check-ins, where the members share and discuss how they have been since the previous session. This discussion helps the therapist gauge the group’s mental state and determine whether they are prepared to proceed with the current and subsequent sessions.
• Group Discussion: This is the main phase of group therapy, where the participants are encouraged to discuss openly with each other. They may share their personal experiences with their obsessions and compulsions, other symptoms, how they started, their triggers, and how OCD impacts their daily lives. As the participants share their experiences, the group starts to identify OCD patterns they have in common and how they cope with them. Group discussion evolves from sharing struggles into collaborative problem-solving. 
• Collaborative Intervention: The techniques used in traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) are incorporated into the group therapy process. Particularly in the cognitive restructuring of CBT, members learn to identify cognitive distortions (e.g., catastrophizing) associated with their obsessions and help each other to challenge, modify, and replace these thoughts with a more rational way of thinking. In the practice of ERP, members support each other in gradually confronting their anxiety-proving thoughts or situations while refraining from doing their usual compulsions. 
• Therapist Guidance and Facilitation: The therapist plays a crucial role in providing directions and creating an effective therapeutic environment in group therapy. The therapist ensures that each intervention is carefully planned and guided to maintain its effectiveness. In addition, the therapist provides both group and individual feedback and tracks the members’ progress. 

Other Benefits of Group Therapy for OCD 

Apart from the strategies used in CBT and ERP, group therapy for OCD may teach the participants a variety of skills that they can utilize to manage their symptoms better and improve their overall well-being. Here are some additional skills that are typically introduced in OCD group therapy sessions:

Mindfulness

Oftentimes, people with OCD may not be conscious of the automatic thoughts and behavioral patterns they have created because they are overwhelmed. Mindfulness-based activities help them understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. If they are aware of these patterns, they can break them and choose more adaptive responses. 

Emotional Regulation

Incorporating emotional regulation skills into the OCD group therapy helps participants identify, label, and manage their emotions accurately. Members of the group can assist each other in determining the triggers of emotional distress that lead to exacerbated OCD symptoms. Techniques such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and emotional acceptance are taught to manage the intense emotions associated with OCD symptoms.

Social Skills Training

Some people with symptoms of OCD may have difficulties creating and maintaining interactions with others. Social Skills Training (SST) can help them promote mutual support among members, foster social connections, reduce social isolation, improve relationships, cope with stigma, and enhance quality of life. 

How Quickly Does Group Therapy Work for OCD?

The effectiveness of group therapy in treating OCD conditions can vary. Some people may start to notice improvements in a matter of a few weeks with regular sessions, while others may require a longer duration of group therapy. Factors such as the severity of symptoms, presence of co-occurring conditions (comorbidities), approach to therapy (e.g., CBT with ERP or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), adherence to group sessions, and treatment progress are considered when determining the duration of the group therapy. 

Limitations of Group Therapy for OCD

While group therapy has proven to be an effective treatment for OCD, not all people are suitable for this type of treatment. Individuals with mild to moderate symptoms of OCD may benefit from attending group therapy sessions to improve overall treatment outcomes. However, those with severe symptoms may require a more comprehensive program through residential treatment.

Can I Take Medication for OCD in Addition to Group Therapy?

OCD is a chronic mental health condition that benefits from integrating various treatment modalities. Although CBT with ERP remains the cornerstone of intervention for OCD, medications are added when therapy alone is unsuccessful in managing the symptoms. One of the most commonly effective pharmacological treatments for OCD is Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). These are antidepressant medications that work by blocking the re-absorption of serotonin (a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, emotions, and anxiety), thereby increasing its presence in the brain and supporting depression treatment.

Generally, the combination of therapy and medication provides a comprehensive and more effective treatment for OCD. 

Start Your OCD Treatment and Group Therapy Journey With Luxe Recovery

OCD group therapy can be a great alternative to traditional individual psychotherapy. Group therapy offers a unique opportunity to create a safe space for you to connect with people with whom you can share similar challenges, progress, and success. 

If you are considering group therapy for OCD, Luxe Recovery is here to help. Take the next step by discussing it with our highly qualified therapists and discovering how group therapy can break you free from OCD.