25 Dec Group Therapy in the News

GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY EMERGES AS A COST-EFFECTIVE AND HIGHLY BENEFICIAL MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT IN CHALLENGING ECONOMIC TIMES

NEW YORK, April 24, 2009 – An increasing number of people are turning to group therapy as an  effective and cost-effective mental health treatment in challenging economic  times.  Recent news stories in The Wall Street Journal (“No Joke:  Group Therapy Offers Savings in Numbers <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123785686766020551.html> ,” March 24, 2009) and on  Good Morning America (“Need  a Group Hug in Tough Times? <Need a Group Hug In Tough Times> ,” April 20, 2009) have highlighted the  benefits of this treatment modality for a wide range of needs and  populations.  Children, adolescents and adults can all successfully participate in groups for more acute needs such as depression, anxiety and addictions, as well as personal growth issues such as conflict management and relationship issues. The affordability of this treatment modality, the favorable effectiveness comparisons to individual treatment (equal or better outcomes), and its adaptability to real-world functioning in families, the workplace and communities due to the group setting make this a very attractive treatment option.

“The effectiveness of group therapy is well documented by research and consumer feedback,” said Connie Concannon, M.S.W., CGP, FAGPA, AGPA President.  “The cost savings may be the impetus for more people to try this type of treatment and the quality of the experience and the outcomes rewards their choice.”