Why Clinical Risk Protocols Matter in Group Therapy (And How They Protect You)
If you’ve ever thought of signing up for a group therapy programme, there’s a good chance you might have wondered:
“Is it safe? Is it confidential? What if I’m not feeling great?”
These are completely normal questions to be asking, and they’re exactly why clinical risk protocols exist.
Ensuring that you get the right support, at the right time, in the safest possible way.
In this write-up, we look how responsible group therapy platforms manage risk so that every participant can be supported adequately, while preserving confidentiality, dignity, and emotional safety.
1. It Begins With Screening: Understanding Your Baseline
Before you join any reputable group therapy platform, you’ll be required to fill a short intake questionnaire, often the PHQ-9, or some equivalent mental health screening tool to ensure that group therapy will be right for you, clinically.
One question in particular, about thoughts of self-harm, is especially important.
If you indicate that you may be experiencing levels of suicidal thoughts, the therapist will not panic, judge you, or exclude you. Instead, they will:
Ask to speak with you privately
Understand what you may be going through
Enquire whether a group format is the safest clinical option right in that moment in time
Recommend additional support if suitable
Why?
Although group therapy is powerful, some people need more intensive, one-to-one support before or alongside a group. A good therapist will ensure that you’re matched to the right level of care that is appropriate for you.
2. If Risks Come Up During a Group Session
Often times, people disclose difficult thoughts or feelings in the moment. If you or someone else expresses a risk during a session, a trained therapist will:
Acknowledge it sensitively (no shaming, no spotlighting).
Pause the group safely, then follow up privately, if required.
Complete a proper risk assessment, asking about intent, plan, timeframe, and protective factors, if required.
Discuss next steps with you, such as connecting with a GP, helplines, or individual support, if required.
If there’s immediate danger, the therapist is legally bound to act in a way that keeps you safe, which may include notifying emergency services or your GP.
While this is extremely rare, it is important to know that your safety comes before confidentiality.
3. What Happens Between Sessions
It is important to remember that a group therapy programme is not an emergency service. Accordingly, this should be made clear from the beginning by the therapy provider.
If you experience a crisis or feel at risk between sessions, responsible programmes will direct you to:
Your GP
NHS 111 for urgent mental health support
999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger
Samaritans , 116 123 (24/7)
These services exist because no one should be required to wait for assistance when urgent help is needed.
4. When Someone Discloses Domestic Abuse or Violence
Group therapy often becomes a space where participants finally feel like they are able to talk openly about matters that they may never have said out loud.
If someone shares domestic abuse, the therapist may:
Offer a private space to talk
Provide specialist resources and helplines (e.g., National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247), if deemed appropriate
Assess immediate safety concerns for the participant or the participant’s dependents, if deemed appropriate
Follow safeguarding laws if someone is at serious or immediate risk, if deemed appropriate.
Again, it is important to note that if there’s immediate danger, the therapist is legally bound to act in a way that keeps you safe, which may include notifying emergency services or your GP.
While this is extremely rare, it is important to know that your safety comes before confidentiality.
This isn’t about breaching trust.
It’s about protecting life, and doing so compassionately.
5. Therapists Have Clear Responsibilities
Good therapists don’t "wing it." They are required to:
Monitor risk throughout the programme
Keep clear clinical notes
Give you crisis information
Act ethically, legally, and professionally
If you’ve ever wondered “Are group facilitators trained for this?”
The answer should always be yes.
6. Your Role as a Participant
Clinical risk isn’t only something therapists manage. As a participant, you’re part of the process too.
Your responsibilities are simple:
Be honest during assessments
Tell your therapist if you’re struggling to cope
Use crisis services when urgent or immediate support is required
You don’t have to be perfect or “put together.” You just need to communicate.
7. When Group Therapy Isn’t the Right Fit
On rare occasions, the safest and kindest option may be to pause or end group participation. A therapist may recommend this if:
You need more intensive support
Your safety could be compromised in a group setting
The group isn’t the best environment for your needs right now
This isn’t a failure, it’s a clinical decision made to protect you.
And you won’t be left stranded. You’ll be given referrals, resources, and options for ongoing care.
Why All of This Matters
Finally, clinical risk protocols aren’t there to scare you.
They’re there to ensure that the group is a setting where honesty, vulnerability, and connection can actually thrive.
You deserve a therapy environment where safety isn’t assumed, it’s built, maintained, and protected.
If you’re considering joining a group, one of the best signs of quality is whether a programme can clearly explain:
How they screen risk
How they manage it
How they support you between sessions
What happens if something changes
The right group won’t just welcome you.
It will protect you.
A Note From Us at Circe
At Circe, our mission is to make mental healthcare accessible, affordable, and genuinely supportive for women, especially those who’ve felt dismissed or overlooked by traditional care pathways.
This is why our entire group therapy model is built around clinical safety as the foundation, not an afterthought.
From structured screening to clear crisis pathways, we’ve designed our programmes to make sure you feel held, supported, and protected at every step.
If you're exploring whether group therapy might be a good fit for you, we’re here to help you find a space where you can feel safe enough to heal, and supported enough to grow. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here. Alternatively, if you want to learn more about group therapy first, why not read our article, Group Therapy For Women: What It Is, Why It Works, & How to Start.
