Sharing in group therapy can bring profound relief. Whether navigating a stressful situation, dealing with anxiety, or grappling with cultural expectations, the validation from sharing your journey with others who ‘get it’ is powerful. It’s a feeling of being understood, a weight lifted off your shoulders, and suddenly, you’re not alone.

A strong sense of cultural conditioning contributes to collective care and familial ties in South Asian communities. However, despite this, many of us struggle in isolation because of the stigma attached to seeking help. We are worried about being judged or the myth that therapy is only for people who have ‘real’ (severe) issues. We feel like we are the only ones feeling the way we feel and see ourselves as outsiders and not normal. Group therapy challenges the narrative that we are alone in our journey. It reiterates that our emotions are real and valid, but most importantly, it cultivates a safe space completely free of judgment. This kind of connection and realization is immensely healing. Saying your thoughts and feelings out loud makes it real and having that validated by people who might be going through the same thoughts and insecurities is half the battle in the healing journey.

A powerful tool for empowerment

Group therapy is a powerful tool for empowerment. It allows you to shed the armour you’ve built around yourself and address your insecurities. When people come together in a therapeutic setting, they have the agency to shed the feeling of isolation and normalize their emotional challenges. It’s a collective empowerment that helps people feel less broken, different, or alone. Group therapy helps to break down the feeling that we are alone.

A chance to learn from one another

One of the most incredible benefits of group therapy is the opportunity to learn from others – to reflect, connect, and contribute. Each participant brings their own experiences, coping mechanisms, and insights. As people share their struggles and narratives, others will benefit from drawing similarities and discovering new and unique perspectives on their struggles.

Group therapy is a powerful tool for empowerment. It allows you to shed the armour you’ve built around yourself and address your insecurities.

Misha Akbar, Founder, Sama Health

A lesson in empathy

Group therapy encourages you to be empathetic to others and become more self-aware in the process. The exchange of ideas and experiences often can lead to breakthroughs and help understand struggles in a new light. Group therapy can be particularly validating when one’s culture is deeply rooted in shared experiences. When implemented appropriately by culturally competent professionals, group therapy encourages you to lean in – allowing you to embrace the journey of healing, become vulnerable, and build meaningful connections bonded by shared experiences.

Healing together

Everyone seeks validation in one form or another. One of the most painful experiences of mental health struggles is feeling invalidated. We are told to get over it or that it is just in our heads. We are told to be grateful for what we have and that others have it much worse. One of the most potent benefits of group therapy is validation. When you experience empathy from others who have gone through what you have provides the much-needed reassurance that your feelings and struggles are legitimate. Every participant in a group therapy setting is there for the same reason – to heal. This shared goal allows for mutual understanding and the confidence to share without being judged and gives one a sense of freedom.

Skill building

Group therapy is vital to build critical skills such as emotional resilience. Individuals in these group settings are encouraged and taught to develop self-awareness as they tell their stories of struggle and listen to others. It is a highly therapeutic way to recognize triggers, understand emotional patterns, and come up with ways to cope with stress. Being part of a group allows participants to role-play, overcome challenges in communicating openly, set boundaries, and healthily express needs. In South Asian communities where emotional expression is often challenged or suppressed, group therapy provides a welcome respite – to be free of stressful cultural expectations that have been normalized and prioritize their well-being.

You are not alone

One of the most striking outcomes of group therapy is cultivating a sense of belonging for people who have felt alone in their search for acceptance. For people who are part of stigmatized communities where mental health is still considered taboo, feeling like they are outsiders or alone can bring about severe emotional distress. Group therapy helps to promote a community with shared experiences and struggles. Participants build deep connections and rely on a support system that they can genuinely rely on without succumbing to feelings of guilt. Most times, group therapy provides for ease of access and affordability. It costs less than private sessions, and participants tend to be less insecure because the focus will not always be on them. In South Asian communities, this can be particularly impactful because individuals can lean in on their collectivist nature and feel a sense of worth in contributing to conversations and healing. This is truly a transformative experience because it helps individuals to reclaim their self-worth.

Also Read: ‘‘Community and social connections provide a buffer against stress’’

I founded Sama Health to provide a safe space where people could share their struggles without fearing being judged. We wanted to pave the way to break down barriers and help people come together to share their experiences and stories in a non-judgmental way. Our virtual community meetups are meant to be accessible and flexible, allowing people to join from wherever they are comfortable, free of judgment. Sometimes, participants want to sit in silence, which is also one of the many benefits of group therapy. People are not compulsive about sharing if they want to observe and take in the environment.   Many people, especially those in the South Asian communities, struggle to seek therapy due to cultural stigma or a lack of awareness.