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The Group Guide
Connecting people to community
For Clinicians and Case Managers
What to know about

Is a Client Ready for Group?

Group therapy works about as well as individual therapy for many conditions, but fit matters. The person needs to be able to take part: show up, listen, share something at their own pace, and sit with other people's stories. Screening is about matching someone to the right group at the right time, and preparing them for what group is like. "Not yet" is about timing.

Who it's for, and who it's not

For clinicians and case managers deciding whether to refer, and for group leaders screening new members.
Most useful for therapy groups, skills groups, and structured peer programs.
Drop-in peer and community groups rarely screen. Fit still matters, but the bar is lower.

Signs a person is ready

Their goal matches what the group works on.
They want to come, even if they're nervous. Strong motivation can outweigh other concerns.
They can listen to others and share something about themselves, at their own pace.
Signs to wait or prepare first
1Acute psychosis, substance use that would disrupt the group, or a crisis that needs immediate care.
2Behavior that would make other members feel unsafe.
3Very low motivation, hostility, or strong denial. These predict early dropout, and more preparation may help.

When the fit is right, group holds its own.

A meta-analysis covering 25 years and 67 studies found that group and individual formats produced equivalent outcomes, including when the same treatment was delivered both ways.1
The American Group Psychotherapy Association's practice guidelines name goal fit and motivation as key selection criteria, and recommend preparation for people who are close to ready.2
Making the most of it
Not yet isn't never. Set a time to revisit, and offer individual work or a lighter group in the meantime.
Prepare them. Walk through what a session looks like, the group agreements, and that nerves are normal.
Use a short screen. Tools like the Group Readiness Questionnaire can give the conversation structure.
Questions to ask the group leader
1What do you screen for, and is there an intake call?
2Is the group open or closed, and how long does it run?
3What happens if someone isn't a fit yet?

Ready to find a group?

Browse 2,000+ therapy, support, and community groups in all 50 states.

Free to browse  ·  No account needed  ·  thegroupguide.com

In crisis? Call or text 988 (US Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 24/7).

The Group Guide is a directory, not a clinic. This handout is general education, not medical or mental health advice. Listings are written by group leaders and are not endorsements. Confirm details, cost, and fit with any group you contact. Sources on page 2.

The Group Guide
Connecting people to community
For Clinicians and Case Managers

Sources

Is a Client Ready for Group? · references keyed to the numbers on page 1.

1Burlingame, G. M., Seebeck, J. D., Janis, R. A., Whitcomb, K. E., Barkowski, S., Rosendahl, J., & Strauss, B. Outcome differences between individual and group formats when identical and nonidentical treatments, patients, and doses are compared: A 25-year meta-analytic perspective. Psychotherapy (2016), 53(4), 446–461.

2American Group Psychotherapy Association. Practice Guidelines for Group Psychotherapy. agpa.org.

In crisis? Call or text 988 (US Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 24/7).

The Group Guide is a directory, not a clinic. This handout is general education, not medical or mental health advice. Listings are written by group leaders and are not endorsements. Confirm details, cost, and fit with any group you contact.