5 Benefits of Group Coaching for Mental Health

When seeking out mental health support, the goal is to find a trusted therapeutic relationship with a mental health professional who can guide your next steps in personal growth.

Some people make great progress in a one-on-one setting with a therapist but want even more support outside of those sessions. For others, it can be a solitary experience that may feel isolating at times. In either case, group coaching can help.

With the benefits of group coaching for mental health, you can learn to bridge the gap between traditional therapy and self-guided improvement through shared experiences. Let’s explore the benefits of coaching for mental health growth and the advantages of collaborative mental health improvement for you, your loved ones, or your patients.

GROUP THERAPY VS. GROUP COACHING: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

When seeking group-based solutions for mental health, you might wonder: group therapy vs. group coaching—which one is right for me? Both can be effective, but they serve different purposes. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Group therapy, often led by a licensed therapist, focuses on diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. Working through issues like trauma, depression, or anxiety in a therapeutic setting can help you create a more collaborative mental health improvement plan focused on empathetic experiences.
• Group coaching, in contrast, emphasizes achieving personal development goals, such as building resilience, improving relationships, or enhancing emotional well-being. Coaching tends to take what you learn in therapeutic sessions and guide you toward more practical and actionable habits that complement your mental health goals.

Research highlights the power of group coaching in promoting mental wellness through group support. According to a 2024 study in BMC Health Services Research, group health and wellness coaching validates individual health goals while fostering collaboration. This makes it an ideal choice for those looking to grow in a structured yet supportive environment.

Now that you get the gist of these two types of therapy, here are a few different but complementary ways group coaching can support your mental health and life goals.

5 BENEFITS OF GROUP COACHING FOR MENTAL HEALTH

1. Achieving More Together: Goal-Setting Outcomes

Setting and achieving goals is at the heart of coaching for mental health growth. With group coaching, you get the benefit of shared accountability, encouragement, and inspiration that can help you when times get tough.

This type of group dynamic fosters a sense of accomplishment as you celebrate different stages of your progress with others who are facing some of the same challenges you are.

A report in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that wellness coaching enhances quality of life and positively changes mental health results. This improvement comes from not only setting realistic goals but also learning from the experiences of other people in a group.

Your personal development in group settings bolsters your ability to work towards managing anxiety, depression, and other issues while adopting healthier coping mechanisms for longer-term benefits. The group’s encouragement amplifies the motivation you need to stick to your goals.

 2. The Power Of Peer Support In Mental Wellness

A cornerstone of group coaching is the accessibility of peer support in mental wellness spaces. Connecting with others who face similar challenges fosters empathy and understanding. Research has shown that when people feel heard and validated, their emotional resilience strengthens.

A systematic review on eHealth group interventions highlights the effectiveness of peer-driven support for improving mental and behavioral health.

Group coaching leverages this by creating a safe, non-judgmental environment where people can share their triumphs and shortcomings while encouraging each other to grow.

In these settings, emotional growth isn’t just personal—it’s collective. Shared stories and strategies on how to overcome struggles often spark breakthroughs, offering solutions to you that you may not have discovered alone otherwise.

3. Addressing Chronic Health Conditions Through Group Coaching

Mental health and physical health are deeply connected. That’s why it’s common that when one falters, the other often follows.

This is especially true when you’re managing chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension while also facing increased stress, anxiety, or depression. Group coaching for mental health growth addresses these intertwined challenges.

Research shows that group health coaching for people with chronic conditions leads to better health outcomes. Other benefits include reduced stress and improved emotional well-being, which are particularly significant as chronic illnesses can often amplify feelings of isolation or helplessness.

Through collaborative mental health improvement, group coaching helps participants set realistic health goals while learning strategies to manage both their physical and mental health more effectively.

4. Breaking Behavioral Habits Together

Changing behavioral patterns may be one of the toughest things you can do in your therapy journey. Fortunately, that pivot can become much easier to achieve in a supportive group setting. Group coaching for mental health offers tools to replace unhelpful habits with healthier alternatives like:

• Conquering negative thinking patterns
• Overcoming procrastination
• Improving sleep hygiene
• Managing emotional eating
• Implementing personal fitness goals

A 2020 report in Systematic Reviews found that group intervention programs effectively support mental and behavioral health improvements. Participants in the study reported feeling more motivated and less alone in tackling behavioral challenges.

This is where the benefits of group coaching shine as members inspire each other to stay consistent, share strategies, and celebrate incremental victories. Over time, these small wins can lead to profound transformations that enhance emotional health and physical well-being.

5. Pain Relief and Psychological Resilience

Chronic pain doesn’t just affect the body—it takes a toll on mental health. Stress and anxiety exacerbate pain, creating a vicious cycle. Fortunately, addressing the psychological aspects of pain management is how group coaching boosts mental health.

A Plos One study evaluated the impact of health and wellness coaching on chronic pain sufferers. It found that participants developed better coping mechanisms and enhanced psychological resilience, leading to improved mental health.

Group coaching’s supportive environment can help you reframe your relationship to be more open to holistic ways of managing pain and reduce its impact on your daily lives. By focusing on your emotional growth through group coaching, you may find hope and healing in the support of those who can understand your struggles.

WHY GROUPS AT AMEN CLINICS?

Recognizing the profound benefits of group coaching, Amen Clinics is introducing Groups at Amen Clinics, a dynamic online coaching program. Designed to provide mental wellness through group support, these 12-week courses are led by live coaches who guide participants through structured sessions.

These online group sessions are based on the groundbreaking brain-based methods of psychiatrist and bestselling author Dr. Daniel Amen, the founder of Amen Clinics.

The first course, Overcoming Anxiety and Depression, focuses on coaching for mental health growth. Essentially, you’ll learn practical strategies to manage stress responses to trauma, boost stress resilience, and build a more positive outlook on your life.

Small group sizes keep those meaningful connections and tailored support personal to your goals. If you’re ready for it, it may be an ideal option to embrace authentically collaborative mental health improvements.

GET BETTER TOGETHER

Whether you’re seeking emotional growth, peer support, or practical tools to improve your mental health, group coaching for mental health offers a powerful solution. Backed by research and enriched through shared experiences, this approach empowers participants to achieve your goals as you foster community.

If you’re ready to take the next step, consider joining a group coaching program like Groups at Amen Clinics. You can unlock the potential for lasting change—and you may be surprised at what can happen when change utilizes the power of group effort.

Reviewed by Amen Clinics Inc. Clinicians