Group Therapy For Women: What It Is, Why It Works, & How to Start
I spent much of my early life struggling with anxiety and depression. Accessing 1:1 therapy was lonely and expensive, with treatments built around male diagnostic norms, leaving left my needs largely unaddressed despite my therapists’ best intentions.
In my early twenties, after spending almost two years in therapy, I was finally diagnosed with OCD. And while the diagnosis helped me understand myself - it also made me feel even more isolated and alone. As though something were wrong with me.
These experiences shaped my determination to build Circe, a solution I wish had existed when I was at my lowest. Because I realised I wasn’t alone in my struggle to access affordable and relevant mental healthcare in the UK. Many women in the UK face the same barriers to affordable, relevant, and compassionate mental healthcare.
What Group Therapy Is and Why Women Need It
I wrote earlier about how mental health is a fundamental human right. Unfortunately, due to the UK’s structural constraints, many women wait up to 18 months to access care, or end up paying hundreds of pounds out of pocket for private 1:1 therapy, invariably either sacrificing quality of treatment or the duration of treatment. Both can lead to worsening mental health outcomes for women.
Group therapy can be a systemic solution to this crisis that we are facing today. It is clinically proven to be just as effective as 1:1 therapy for many of the most common mental health conditions. But what exactly is group therapy?
What is group therapy?
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy where one or more trained therapists work with a small group of people who share similar issues to help them cope with emotional problems. This collective setting allows participants to discuss their feelings, learn from each other's experiences, and receive support from peers who understand their struggles, while a therapist guides the process.
How is group therapy different from individual therapy?
Group therapy combines professional therapist-led clinical guidance with group peer interaction. Research shows it is just as effective as 1:1 therapy for many conditions like anxiety, depression, trauma, and burnout, while also offering social connection and lower isolation. You can find more details in our article below and also in our deep-dive article on the differences between individual therapy and group therapy in the UK in our blog series.
What is a typical group therapy structure like?
While the exact structure and contents of a group therapy session can vary based on the format appropriate for the group, they tend to have certain overarching features:
Number of participants: Group therapy typically comprises of 4 - 12 participants, with 7-10 generally considered an optimal group size for therapeutic outcomes
Group facilitation: Group therapy sessions are facilitated by a trained therapist, using techniques that enhance the therapeutic factors that predict treatment success
Location: Groups can be held online or in person, as long as participants have a private space that affords them privacy
Layout: The layout should not emphasise any particular seat or participant
Duration of a session: A group therapy session can last anywhere between 60 to 120 minutes. For ease of convenience, sessions tend to be 60 minutes in length in order to align with the average users’ calendar availability.
Number of sessions: Sessions can either be close-ended, lasting a specific number of sessions. This can be between 12 to 16 sessions, generally considered to be the minimum therapeutic dose for many conditions. Groups can also be open-ended and last for as long as the therapist can conduct the sessions.
Therapeutic format: There are many different group therapy formats and therapeutic models can vary based on the requirements of the group. The most common formats tend to be Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with others being Interpersonal Group Therapy, Psychodynamic Group Therapy, Social Systems Group Therapy, Psychodrama, Redecision Therapy and Existential Group Therapy. We dive into these formats in detail in our blog series.
What happens in group therapy for women?
As the name suggests, group therapy for women limits participation to people who identify as female. This allows for greater group cohesion as participants find it easier to open up in front of other women who they believe may have gone through similar experiences as themselves.
This is important, as a key factor in determining therapeutic outcomes for participants in group therapy is group cohesion, with each person ideally being able to identify with at least one other participant in the group, if not more. With this in mind, groups should have sufficient similarity between members to allow for the formation of group cohesion.
Having a women-only group allows for this cohesion while allowing for just enough heterogeneity to help the group function as a microcosm for the world outside of the group.
Evidence: Why Group Therapy Works for Women
Decades of research back up how powerful group therapy can be, especially for challenges like anxiety, depression, trauma, and burnout.
Proven Benefits for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Burnout
Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) show that structured group interventions (such as group cognitive-behavioural therapy) significantly reduce symptoms of mental illness, often with large effect sizes.
Group psychotherapy reduces anxiety symptoms more than no treatment, with effect sizes comparable to individual therapy. (PubMed)
For depression and mood disorders, group therapy is as effective as medication or individual therapy. (PubMed)
Trauma-focused group CBT significantly lowers PTSD symptoms across multiple trials. (PubMed)
Group therapy also improves burnout and general wellbeing, particularly in healthcare workers and high-stress populations. (PubMed)
Group vs. 1:1 Therapy: Comparable Outcomes
When compared to individual therapy, long-term studies reveal that group therapy offers comparable symptom reduction for many mental health conditions, while also building community, lowering dropout, and increasing accessibility.
Drop-out rates are often lower in groups due to peer accountability and connection. (PubMed)
Group therapy reduces barriers such as cost, availability, and stigma.
Individual therapy may be better for complex trauma or highly personalised needs, but group therapy offers durable gains and shared learning.
The Prosocial Effect: Helping Others Heals You
At the same time, group settings unlock a prosocial effect: participants benefit not only from receiving support, but from helping others, too, and that giving actually enhances their own mental health. This is one of the strongest benefits of group therapy, boosting self-worth, life satisfaction, and resilience.
Engaging in peer-support within a group reduces stress, loneliness, and depressive symptoms. (BMC Psychiatry)
Feeling needed and valued by others in the group reinforces your own emotional recovery.
Women Benefit from Relational Group Therapy
Finally, for women specifically, relational support appears to deeply resonate. Research shows that women are more likely than men to seek and benefit from social and relational coping strategies, and they may respond especially strongly to supportive group environments due to biological and psychosocial mechanisms.
Group therapy aligns with this tendency, creating a supportive network that reduces stress and promotes wellbeing.
Women show greater stress-buffering when part of supportive social networks. (PubMed)
Relational group settings allow women to process emotions collectively, increasing understanding and empathy.
Therapeutic Factors That Improve Group Outcomes
Finally, guidelines created by the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA) observe the below evidence-based therapeutic factors:
Altruism: Helping other clients in the group fosters a better self-image among participants
Cohesiveness: The positive emotional connection between clients is a core mechanism of action for group psychotherapy and correlates closely with therapeutic alliance. Cohesion facilitates other therapeutic factors and correlates positively with clinical improvement.
Development of socializing techniques: Clients learn effective communication techniques in the safety of the group environment
Imitative behavior: Clients observe other clients working through their problems and, in turn, expand their own skills and awareness
Imparting information: The client receives information from the group leader/therapist and the other clients.
Interpersonal learning—Input: Clients receive input in the form of feedback from other clients.
Interpersonal learning—Output: Clients experiment with new ways of interacting with other clients.
Instillation of hope: Clients observe the success of others in the group and become hopeful for themselves.
Self-understanding: In the group setting, clients gain insight into their experiences, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Universality: Clients realize that the other clients in the group have similar feelings and problems.
How to Start Group Therapy in the UK
Beginning group therapy can feel a bit scary, but it doesn’t have to be. The first step is figuring out what your requirements are and what kind of group fits your needs. Additionally, it is worth having a think about how often sessions run, and the type of guidance provided. Women often find that even one session can provide clarity, connection, and a sense of relief.
Choosing the Right Women’s Therapy Group
Decide what you want from therapy: connection, skill-building, emotional processing, or all three.
Look for trained facilitators or therapists who specialize in women’s mental health.
Consider format and logistics: online vs in-person, group size, session length, and frequency.
Check the focus: some groups center on anxiety, others on trauma, burnout, or general wellbeing.
Taking the first step
Start small: many groups allow you to observe a session before committing.
Ask about confidentiality and safety policies to ensure you feel secure.
Bring curiosity, openness, and self-compassion — it’s normal to feel nervous.
Circe’s approach
At Circe, our women’s group therapy programs are therapist-led, peer-matched, and carefully structured for comfort and safety. Sessions are designed to provide connection, shared learning, and emotional support, while giving you the flexibility to participate at your own pace.
By creating a safe, relatable space, Circe helps women take the first step into group therapy with confidence, knowing that they’ll be supported and heard.
If you’re curious about learning more, have any questions or just want to say hello, we’d love to speak and help in any way that we can. This is why we set out to do what we do - to help women. You can book a free call here.
Group Therapy FAQs for Women
What is women-only group therapy?
Women-only group therapy is a therapeutic setting where participants who identify as female meet regularly with a trained therapist. It allows for shared experiences, emotional safety, and peer support.
How is group therapy different from individual therapy?
Group therapy combines professional guidance with peer support. Research shows it’s as effective as 1:1 therapy for conditions like burnout, depression and anxiety, while simultaneously reducing isolation and building connection.
Is group therapy as effective as 1:1 therapy?
Yes, group therapy has been scientifically validated to be comparable to 1:1 therapy for numerous common mental health conditions.
Who benefits most from group therapy?
Women experiencing anxiety, depression, burnout, or social isolation tend to benefit most. Group therapy is also ideal for women seeking connection, community, and peer support.
How long does group therapy last?
Sessions usually run 60–120 minutes, often in weekly intervals. Groups can be closed (fixed number of sessions) or open-ended, depending on therapeutic goals.
How many people are in a typical therapy group?
Groups can range from 4-12 participants. Research indicates 7 - 10 being the ideal number of participants (excluding the therapist). At Circe, we match users into themed groups of 8 - 10 participants, matched by lived experience and symptoms and a therapist who specialises in the field, ensuring that you’re surrounded by people who get you.
Is group therapy safe and confidential?
Yes. Therapists maintain strict confidentiality, and group norms are established to ensure emotional safety. This allows participants to share openly without fear of judgment.
What if I’m introverted or shy?
Most group therapy participants tend to be similarly introverted and shy, so you will find yourself in a safe space, surrounded by people like yourself. At Circe, clinical groups are moderated and led by a trained, licensed therapist who ensures that each group remains a safe space, so that if you don’t feel comfortable speaking or sharing, you don’t have to, until you’re ready.
Do I have to share personal details?
You can share whatever you feel comfortable sharing and should never feel compelled to share what you don’t feel comfortable sharing. Group therapy is led by a licensed therapist who ensures that it remains a safe space for you in every way.
What if I get emotional?
We all get emotional, and it’s completely okay to get emotional. In fact you’ll find that it can be one of the most healing parts of group therapy.
How does group therapy help mental health?
Reduces symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and burnout.
Enhances emotional resilience through the prosocial effect of supporting others.
Creates social connection and peer support, reducing isolation.
Can women with severe or complex mental health needs join a group?
While group therapy benefits many, complex trauma or severe mental illness may require a combination of 1:1 therapy and group support for safe, effective care.
How can I get started with women’s group therapy?
Start by exploring therapist-led, women-focused groups that match your goals. Circe provides structured, supportive, and safe spaces to begin your therapy journey. You can schedule a free call through our website to learn more.
