Group coaching: why the sense of community is so effective

Finding support in a group

At any one time, around a third of the Swiss population is affected by mental health problems. The likelihood that we will need emotional support at some point during our lives is therefore high. But where do we find it – and how? Many people choose to have individual therapy or try to cope on their own. Both are viable options. Yet we often overlook a third option for dealing constructively with our distress: group coaching.

Why group coaching works

While it can be valuable to have time and space to oneself and to work one-to-one with a dedicated professional, we’re also social beings. From an evolutionary perspective, we’ve always been conditioned to live and survive in a group. When we feel safe and supported in a group setting, an unexpected force emerges: We feel held, seen and reflected.

A sense of belonging

This feeling of community is precisely what makes group coaching so valuable. Those who have long felt alone with their worries come to realise: I’m not the only one who feels this way. This sense of belonging reduces shame, strengthens self-worth and opens up new perspectives.

Combining group therapy and individual sessions

There’s also a practical advantage: Several people share one session, which conserves resources and improves access. For this reason, many providers combine individual and group formats. An initial one-to-one conversation clarifies personal needs before shared work in the group begins. For many, this offers a low-threshold, effective and sustainable way of addressing life’s challenges.

Isolation and shame

Where isolation and shame divide us and often intensify a downward spiral, participating in a group can help us realise something crucial: There are valid reasons for what I’m feeling and experiencing. I’m not alone in this. Through others’ life stories, I can find out what will help me feel better and discover new ways of coping. Being coached together is more than sharing distress – it also means inspiring, encouraging and reorienting one another.

What studies show

Group therapy , in particular, has been extensively researched. A meta-analysis by McRoberts, Burlingame and Hoag (1998), for example, shows that group therapy can be just as effective as individual therapy for many issues. Patients with depression, anxiety or stress-related difficulties benefit especially strongly.

Reducing psychological distress

Studies show that, overall, group settings significantly reduce psychological distress – not only when comparing before and after treatment, but also in direct comparison with individual sessions. Research on the subject is also being conducted in Switzerland, ranging from body-oriented group formats to exploratory studies on structure and focus.

Making use of social support

While group coaching is not therapy in the strict sense, it draws on the same social mechanisms identified in research: The group provides social support, strengthens motivation and encourages lasting change – because sharing both successes and setbacks keeps everything realistic.

Benefits of group therapy at a glance

Limits and challenges

As valuable as working together can be, group settings are not equally suitable for everyone. Typical challenges include:

• Reluctance to speak up
  Some people find it difficult to share personal issues in front of others.
• Less individual
  The facilitator’s attention is shared among several participants, which can leave less space for particularly individual concerns.
• Group dynamics
  Conflicts, dominant voices or unspoken tensions can become stressful if not well managed.
• Confidentiality
  Although confidentiality is agreed, the group needs the firm trust that all participants will treat what they hear with respect.
• Fit
  Not every group suits every person. Factors such as topic, age or motivation need to align to prevent frustration or disengagement.

This is why it's worth choosing a group carefully and allowing enough time to make your own experience.

How group coaching works in practice

Many people imagine a group setting as a kind of “soul-stripping” exercise – which can be intimidating. In reality, sessions follow clear structures and rules:

This creates a sense of security and commitment – and helps ease fears about the first session.

When group settings make sense

Group coaching is particularly suitable for topics such as stress management, resilience, nutrition, physical activity or sleep. Sharing experiences with others can also be helpful for dealing with long Covid, menopause or parenthood. Young people benefit too – especially with issues that involve school, anxiety or self-esteem.

Group therapy, by contrast, is more appropriate for serious mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders or obsessive–compulsive disorders, and is led by qualified professionals. It can also help people with eating disorders through the shared exchange of experiences and strategies. Many group therapies apply approaches that are based on behavioural therapy or psychotherapy based on depth psychology.
Those wishing to work through very personal or complex issues may find individual sessions more appropriate. In many cases, however, a combination of individual and group settings proves ideal.

Change is easier in a group

Group coaching is not a second-best option for those who can’t find an appointment for an individual session. It's a distinct and effective form of everyday support in its own right. Those who open up benefit from community, motivation and fresh perspectives – and come to realise that change is easier when they don’t have to do it alone. CSS offers group courses on a range of everyday topics.

Sources

• McRoberts, C., Burlingame, G. M., & Hoag, M. J. (1998). Comparative efficacy of individual and group psychotherapy: A meta-analytic perspective. Group Dynamics, 2(2), 101–117.
• Burlingame, G. M., Fuhriman, A., & Mosier, J. (2003). The differential effectiveness of group psychotherapy: A meta-analytic perspective. Group Dynamics, 7(1), 3–12.
• Koemeda-Lutz, M. et al. (2006). Evaluation of the effectiveness of body psychotherapy in outpatient settings (EEBP) – A multi-centre study in Germany and Switzerland. Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik, Medizinische Psychologie, 57(6), 221–229.
• Grossert, A. et al. (2023). Group-based body psychotherapy improves appreciation of body awareness in post-treatment cancer patients. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 10117640.