Many people come to therapy believing that they need to face their healing alone. Trauma, by its nature, can isolate us — convincing us that our experiences are too much, too strange, or too heavy to be understood by others. Over time, this isolation can quietly deepen suffering.
Group therapy offers a different path.
Rather than reliving the past or sharing painful details, trauma-informed group therapy focuses on understanding what’s happening in the present — in the body, the mind, and our relationships. It’s about learning skills, building resilience, and discovering that healing doesn’t have to happen in isolation.
Trauma disrupts our sense of safety and connection. Even when we’re surrounded by people, it can feel as though no one truly understands what’s happening inside us. Many individuals living with complex trauma carry deep shame, self-blame, or a persistent sense of being “different.”
This isn’t a personal failure — it’s a common effect of trauma.
When trauma happens in relationships or over long periods of time, our bodies and minds adapt by becoming hyper-vigilant, withdrawn, or emotionally overwhelmed. These responses can make it difficult to feel grounded, connected, or at ease with others.
Trauma-informed group therapy isn’t about telling your story or revisiting painful memories. Instead, it’s about learning how trauma impacts the body and mind, and developing practical skills to support regulation, safety, and self-compassion.
In a well-facilitated group:
For many people, this is the first time they realize they are not alone — and that realization itself can be deeply healing.
Complex trauma happens in relationship, and healing often does too.
Group therapy provides a structured, supportive environment where participants can gently re-experience connection in a way that feels safe and contained. Over time, this can reduce feelings of isolation, shame, and self-criticism.
Participants often report that group therapy helps them:
Importantly, group therapy allows people to move at their own pace. There is no expectation to share more than you’re comfortable with. Listening, learning, and observing are all valid forms of participation.
Some people worry that group therapy is a second-best option. In reality, it can be one of the most effective ways to support trauma recovery — especially when the focus is on education, and skills to manage trauma symptoms and move toward recovery and well-being.
Group therapy can also be more accessible, offering meaningful support at a lower cost while still being guided by trained clinicians with specialized expertise.
Many individuals find that group therapy complements individual therapy beautifully — while others discover that group work becomes their primary source of growth and healing.
If you’ve been feeling isolated, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin, group therapy may offer a starting place that feels less daunting and more supportive.
At Become Therapy, we are offering a 10-week online Resiliency and Recovery Skills Group for Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, facilitated by me, Erin Montgomery, RCT and Clinical Traumatologist. This group is designed for women, trans, and non-binary individuals aged 25 and older, and focuses on education, skill-building, and community — not disclosure.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Healing happens together.
To learn more about group therapy and view our upcoming sessions, visit our Group Therapy page. There, you’ll find details about current offerings and how to register for a group that may be right for you.