Hearts and Minds CEO Carol Ryan said sessions pulled wisdom from all group participants and people built lifelong connections through group therapy. Photo: 123RF
A group therapist says research indicates a 93 percent success rate for their services.
The research, by Economics NZ, found that group therapy also proved to be cost effective and helped cut mental health waiting lists.
Hearts and Minds CEO Carol Ryan said sessions pulled wisdom from all group participants and people built lifelong connections through group therapy.
It was a powerful healing tool, she said.
"Often afterwards someone will come and say do you realise you saved my life? Because I had a plan."
With early intervention they could often stop that flood into mental health services and improve people's lives, Ryan said.
"Counselling has its place but by getting in early we can do it in a really affordable way and it may mean they don't go on to have further care, they have got through.
"Group therapy is also easier on the wallet with the cost per person is a third or less of the cost of one-on-one counselling.
"The payback is about 4.7 for every dollar we receive which is incredible. This came from people becoming well enough to go back to work, or becoming more productive at work."
It could be incredibly effective to share experiences, Ryan said.
"When you are in a group environment you are not alone and you realise others are there for similar reasons and the strength in that is just so powerful."
Demand for services were unfortunately high with people suffering from family break ups to sexual abuse and a myriad of other hardships, Ryan said.
"We are skilled in community services and anyone can ring us."
Hearts and Minds is a not-for-profit that offers mental health services in north Auckland and Northland.
"Currently many people with mild-to-moderate conditions visit their GP and are directed towards traditional one-on-one counselling. However, even after a recent significant boost to funding of mental health services, there can be long waiting lists to see counsellors. This means some people aren't getting the help they need."
