group therapy

American  

noun

1. psychotherapy in which a number of patients discuss their problems together, usually under the leadership of a therapist, using shared knowledge and experiences to provide constructive feedback about maladaptive behavior.

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group therapy British  

noun

1. psychol the simultaneous treatment of a number of individuals who are members of a natural group or who are brought together to share their problems in group discussion

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group therapy Cultural  

1. Any form of psychotherapy involving a group of patients, rather than a one-on-one session between a patient and a therapist. (See encounter group).

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Group therapy is often used to explore interpersonal relations.

Etymology

Origin of group therapy

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

group therapy

She tried everything—an inpatient eating-disorder program, antidepressants, psychiatry, nutrition counseling and group therapy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

But like bad group therapy, it stops at validation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 26, 2026

But inviting us to sit down with a show about mental health professionals mending their spirits is group therapy on a massive scale in a time of diagnosable disorder.

From Salon ● Feb. 7, 2026

A group of girls wearing white T-shirts and with keffiyehs tied around their waists perform a dance and then take part in a group therapy session.

From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2025

“Why’d you break up with your boyfriend? Since we’re doing group therapy right now, ‘fess up.”

From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway