How To Start Your Own Therapist Support Group

Therapists typically understand the importance of positive mental health practices for their clients as well as for themselves. Many therapists seek personal therapy for themselves, and some practitioners regularly engage in group therapy or support groups as well. Peer support groups may be especially important, as they connect a therapist with others who understand the unique challenges of providing therapy. Here, we’ll talk about what these types of groups usually involve and tips for starting one yourself.

What do therapist support groups involve?

Therapist support groups are formal or informal gatherings of mental health professionals designed to give them a space to discuss shared challenges and receive advice and emotional support from others in the same field. 

Support group meetings might take many forms. They may be dedicated to problem-solving for specific cases, providing emotional support and encouraging mental wellness, or addressing specific concerns related to the practice of therapy, such as experiencing vicarious trauma or dealing with the administrative challenges of managing a practice. 

These groups can vary widely depending on the individuals involved and their needs. For instance, they may be in person or online, highly structured or informal, led by a facilitator or group-led. Despite the possible variations, they’re often intended to provide one or more of the following.

Support for emotional and mental well-being

Providing therapy to others comes with potential risks to a practitioner's own mental and emotional well-being, as evidenced by the literature on topics like compassion fatigue. Positive social interactions can be an important part of self-care, which can be essential for preventing or recovering from compassion fatigue. Support from friends or family members can be helpful, but those who do not work in the mental healthcare sector may find it challenging to understand the unique challenges of practicing therapy. 

Emotional and social support group meetings for therapists typically focus on the well-being of the mental health professionals involved. Clinicians might share recent challenges, describe how they manage them, or request help developing new strategies or perspectives. They may also simply need to vent, be heard, and receive validation for their experiences. Groups of this nature tend to be less formal than other groups that provide professional support. There are typically many opportunities for open expression and empathetic encouragement within these groups. 

Peer case consultation

Peer consultation groups tend to focus on addressing practical concerns within the therapeutic environment. They tend to have some kind of formal structure, and group participants usually agree on ground rules regarding non-judgment, conduct, leadership, and how information is presented. Many groups adopt a standard case presentation structure where a therapist presents a clinical problem with which they are struggling. Following their presentation, the other members of the group offer insight, advice, validation, or guidance based on their own experiences and perceptions. 

A peer consultation group can be useful for both new and experienced therapists. They offer an opportunity for critical examination of the facts of a case, helping the presenting clinician step outside of their current conception and consider new ideas. Not only does the brainstorming process likely lead to improved patient outcomes, but therapists can also gain insights from them that may resonate in ways they did not expect.

Because of the clinical nature of consultation groups, less time is usually dedicated to providing emotional and social support. Encouragement and validation are usually readily available if a therapist is struggling with a difficult case, but much of the focus is on providing practical guidance. Because of this, topics related to the mental well-being of the clinician—like managing burnout—are usually not the primary focus of such a group. 

Professional collaboration

A professional collaboration group is similar to a peer case consultation group. However, instead of focusing on specific patient cases, participants focus on professional issues within the therapy community. Common topics of discussion might include managing a practice, advancements in a certain therapeutic approach, billing and insurance, or any other subjects that professional practitioners may encounter. 

Members sometimes take turns making special topic presentations where they share information regarding an important topic in the field. Examples of some topics might include awareness of the needs of marginalized populations, recent revelations from research, or changes to regulations that may be relevant in a specific area. 

Professional collaboration groups sometimes also discuss recent conferences or continuing education opportunities. They may maintain a professional network of resources to help members find assistance in solving certain problems. Members might also volunteer their time and effort outside the group to help new therapists acclimate or solve common early-practice concerns. 

Tips for starting your own therapist support group

If you can’t find local groups that meet your needs, you may want to consider establishing your own group. There are very few rigid guidelines when establishing a group to support other therapists, but it may be helpful to consider the following steps in the process. 

Choose a specific purpose 

You should know what you want the group to accomplish before members meet for the first time. Will the group dedicate most of its time to professional consultation? Is it intended as a safe space for clinicians to manage burnout or compassion fatigue? What degree of professional development do you hope the group will encourage? Consider these and other questions about the group’s purpose before proceeding. 

Decide on membership

Broadly, groups are typically open or closed. Open groups allow admission to the general public or a broad group of people, such as any therapist practicing in a certain city. Closed groups typically have exclusive membership, and members must either be vetted or meet certain criteria before joining. For example, you might start by creating a group that is only open to other therapists in your practice, or you might restrict the group to only therapists who are treating people with eating disorders, for instance. 

Decide the venue and schedule

The group will need a suitable place to meet. Consider potential enrollment and available space. You might meet after-hours in a clinic conference room or find space in a local church, library, or community center. Though it may not be the right format in every case, some groups may also meet virtually. Once you have a place, decide on an appropriate meeting schedule. Many groups opt to meet once or twice a month, whereas some groups meet multiple times per week to ensure everyone’s schedule is accommodated. 

Consider meeting structure

If your group needs to stick to a specific timeframe, as with many groups dedicated to professional consultation, you may want to consider whether each meeting will have a certain structure. You may also want to start a sign-up process for case presentations or special topic presentations. 

Consider leadership

If the group will have a formal structure, it may be helpful to appoint yourself as the leader, conduct elections, or find another way to determine who will lead the group. If the group is more informal, it may be possible to have a leadership rotation where members take turns planning and facilitating. 

Promote the group

Once you have a purpose, location, and rough structure, recruit others by spreading the word to interested parties. It may be helpful to start small as you get the group off the ground. The members of the group can then help dictate the direction of growth based on their needs. 

Seeking individual support for career stress

Peer support groups for therapists offer opportunities to address stress, grow as clinicians, and/or develop skills to enhance their practice. While these groups can be helpful, sometimes circumstances arise that are best addressed in a one-on-one setting. If you’re facing challenges that come from practicing therapy, it may be helpful to pursue individual counseling to help you manage your concerns. 

If your schedule is hectic or you simply prefer to attend therapy from home or your office, you may wish to consider online therapy. Online therapists have the same training and credentials as in-person therapists, but you can engage with them remotely without the hassle of commuting. Online therapists also use the same evidence-based techniques with which you are likely familiar, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. 

Online therapy has increased in popularity in recent years, corresponding with a growing body of research to measure its effectiveness. Evidence continues to suggest that online therapy may be an effective alternative to traditional therapy in many cases, making it a viable option for many. 

Takeaway

Peer support from other therapists can be an excellent way to help manage the challenges associated with practicing therapy. Groups can help solve difficult cases, provide guidance regarding professional development, and offer emotional support to bolster well-being. If you don’t have any groups near you that meet your needs, you might consider starting one yourself. Choosing a purpose, deciding whether the group will be open or closed, selecting a venue and a meeting cadence, and recruiting other professionals to join are common steps in the process.