The Healing Power of Group Support and Group Work
- Edwige Theokas
- Jun 13
- 5 min read
The Healing Power of Group Support and Group Work
By Edwige Theokas, LPC, M.Ed., M.A.
When it comes to healing from trauma, it can take a lot for someone to want to seek the help they need to heal. Many prefer to work one-on-one with a therapist, often out of shame and embarrassment. The vulnerability to share your pain and work through the discomfort of your pain requires courage.
Now, don’t get me wrong, as a 1:1 therapist who does EMDR and EMDR intensives, the power that comes from holding space for a person as they transform from a place of pain to a place of purpose is truly humbling and inspiring. But to see that transformation multiplied in a group space is truly mind-blowing.
Yes, one-on-one work with a therapist can provide deep, personalized healing. But what many don't realize is that group therapy can be just as powerful, whether used alongside individual therapy or on its own. Just as EMDR Intensives can be a great complement to one-on-one therapy, so too can group work.
In this blog post, I will make the case for why you might want to consider incorporating group work into your life.
Groups Work Well To Reduce Isolation
Trauma often makes people feel isolated, ashamed, and disconnected. And trauma is often made worse if you are surrounded by those in your life who do not want to acknowledge your pain and/or minimize the impact on your functioning.
Group work offers something that individual therapy simply can’t replicate: a sense of belonging.
Being in a group of people who’ve experienced similar emotional pain provides validation and comfort. You’re no longer “the only one” dealing with these struggles.
Here are a few key reasons why group work is especially effective for healing:
1. Normalization and Validation
When you’re healing from trauma, you may feel like your reactions—flashbacks, anxiety, shutdowns—are “too much” or abnormal. In groups, you hear others share similar experiences, which helps normalize your reactions.
Validation from peers is incredibly healing and reinforces that you are not alone or broken.
2. Collective Wisdom and Shared Coping Tools
Everyone in the group brings something to the table. Someone may share a grounding technique that works for them, while another person may describe how they communicate with family after trauma. These shared experiences help members build a toolkit of coping strategies that they may not have discovered alone.
3. Rebuilding Trust Through Relationships
Many people who have experienced trauma struggle with trusting others.
Groups offer a safe space to build relationships slowly, within a structured environment. These connections serve as micro-rehearsals for healthy relationships outside the group.
4. Improved Communication and Boundaries
Trauma can cause difficulties with people-pleasing, assertiveness, boundary-setting, and communication.
A group offers opportunities to practice expressing needs and emotions while learning to listen and respond to others with compassion.
How Groups Complement Individual Therapy
Group work doesn’t need to replace individual therapy—in fact, the two can work together beautifully. Here’s how:
Broader Insight: Individual therapy helps you go deep; group therapy helps you go wide. You get insight into how others cope and heal, adding more layers to your own understanding.
Increased Accountability: Seeing others commit to their healing inspires you to stay consistent in your own work.
Multiple Perspectives: A therapist provides one viewpoint; a group offers many. This leads to a richer, more well-rounded healing experience.
For example, someone might work through early attachment trauma with an EMDR therapist during individual sessions, then use the group to explore how that trauma shows up in relationships today, getting feedback and support from others who’ve had similar histories.
Tips for Finding the Right Group
Not all groups are created equal. Some focus on support, while others are therapeutic and led by licensed professionals. To find the right group for your needs, consider the following:
1. Choose a Group With a Clear Focus
Some groups focus on specific experiences, such as childhood trauma, attachment, daily functioning, or coping mechanisms.
Choose what resonates most with your current needs.
3. Ask About Structure
Will the group be open (new members join anytime) or closed (a set cohort)? Will it focus on education, skills, or emotional processing? Understanding the structure can help you feel more prepared.
4. Trust Your Gut
If you don’t feel emotionally safe or supported, that group may not be the right fit. It’s okay to explore a few options until you find one that feels aligned.
Group Therapy Might Be Enough
In some cases, group therapy may be sufficient on its own, especially if:
You’re not in crisis but want to maintain ongoing healing.
You’ve done individual work already and want continued growth.
You feel isolated and want to rebuild relational skills.
You benefit from collective wisdom and peer encouragement.
Many find that being in a group gives them the relational healing they didn’t receive elsewhere—making group work not just complementary, but central to their recovery.
Techniques I Use in My Groups
Not all trauma groups are created the same. Some are process-oriented, focusing on sharing and emotional expression, while others are skills-based and structured.
Please note that the groups I currently run are small mastermind groups for moms experiencing overwhelm, stress, and burnout.
Below, I share the techniques I use within my groups.
1. EMDR-Informed Group Sessions
While EMDR is typically conducted individually, some group formats are EMDR-informed. These groups might include resourcing exercises such as Calm Safe Place visualizations, bilateral tapping, or other preparation-phase EMDR tools to promote nervous system regulation.
2. Mindfulness and Grounding Practices
Mindfulness helps individuals stay present and avoid being overwhelmed by traumatic memories. In a group setting, mindfulness exercises like body scans, breathwork, or grounding techniques help create emotional safety.
3. Psychoeducation
Many groups include education on how trauma affects the brain and body. This helps members understand their symptoms and reduce shame.
Topics might include the polyvagal theory, window of tolerance, or understanding hyperarousal and dissociation.
4. Somatic Experiencing and Movement
Some groups integrate gentle movement, stretching, or somatic practices to help members reconnect with their bodies in a safe way.
5. Internal Family Systems (IFS)-Inspired Practices
In IFS-informed groups, members may learn how to recognize their internal “parts” (like the inner critic or protector) and build compassionate relationships with them.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Heal Alone
Groups provide an extraordinary opportunity to be seen, heard, and supported by others on a similar path. While it may feel vulnerable to open up in front of others, that very vulnerability can create deep healing.
Whether used alongside individual therapy or as a standalone modality, group therapy can help you reclaim connection, resilience, and trust.
If you’re a trauma survivor who’s ready to take the next step, consider joining a trauma-informed group facilitated by a licensed EMDR therapist. The experience may surprise you—and it just might change your life.
Need Support in Your Trauma Healing Journey?
If you are interested in EMDR intensives, group coaching, or individual trauma therapy, I invite you to explore how we can work together.
Check out this masterclass that I have put together to help you better understand the work that I do.
Group spaces are limited—reach out today to reserve your spot and begin your path to healing in community.
My name is Edwige (Eddie) Theokas, and I am a trauma-based therapist in Bordentown, NJ.
I specialize in EMDR to address trauma, anxiety, and stress. I work specifically with moms who are experiencing burnout and have had trauma.
I provide in-person and online counseling throughout the state of NJ and specifically in Mercer and Burlington County, NJ (Bordentown, Chesterfield, Robbinsville, Hamilton, and Princeton). I also provide EMDR Intensives. Contact me to schedule a consultation.
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