The Power of Group Therapeutic Care
Millions of Americans are struggling to access behavioral health care. Long wait times, high costs, and a shortage of providers are fueling a mental health crisis. Mental Health America’s 2022 annual report found that 56% of people are not receiving needed treatment for mental health concerns and nearly one-quarter (24.7%) of those seeking mental health treatment are unable to access care
Imagine if there was a solution that could dramatically increase access to care while maintaining its quality and effectiveness? Turns out there is one. Group Therapeutic Care (GTC) has been proven effective for a wide range of mental health conditions and its outcomes are comparable with those of individual therapy.
A 2023 economic analysis of GTC in American Psychologist estimates that shifting just 10% of individual therapy to a group format could provide support to over 3.5 million more people nationwide. Such a shift would reduce the need for 34,473 additional therapists and save up to $5.6 billion in healthcare costs.
GTC offers benefits beyond numbers. It fosters a sense of belonging and understanding among group members, who are able to share their experiences with others who have similar backgrounds and challenges. For example, the 2023 economic study found that group interventions have been effective in addressing systemic racism and supporting Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) in dealing with minority stress. This social support component is particularly valuable in addressing the growing crisis of loneliness in our society.
To maximize the benefits of GTC, healthcare providers and policymakers should consider these key actions:
- Increase utilization by encouraging therapists to incorporate 1 2 group sessions into their practices
- Increase access by integrating GTC into primary care settings
- Develop culturally sensitive curricula and offer groups tailored to specific identities
- Improve training by including GTC training in mental health graduate programs
- Build sustainability with equitable reimbursement rates
The mental health crisis requires innovative solutions, and GTC offers a practical, evidence based approach that could help millions of Americans access the care they need. It is much more than an alternative to individual therapy—it’s a pathway to transforming mental health by dramatically increasing access to care. By embracing GTC, we can create a more efficient, effective, and inclusive mental health care system that serves more people while maintaining high quality care standards.
At GPS Group Peer Support, we have been offering GTC since 2018 to diverse populations including refugees, healthcare workers, perinatal parents. And we’ve empowered community members from Serbia to Kenya to bring GPS to their communities.