Questions to Ask in Group Therapy
Essential questions to help you engage effectively in group therapy, build connections with other members, and maximize your therapeutic experience.
1What brings you to group therapy and what are you hoping to gain?
Click to see why this works
What brings you to group therapy and what are you hoping to gain?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals personal goals and helps you understand what other members are working on and what they hope to achieve.
2What challenges are you currently facing and how are you coping?
Click to see why this works
What challenges are you currently facing and how are you coping?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows current struggles and helps you understand what difficulties other members are experiencing and how they're managing them.
3What strategies or techniques have worked well for you in the past?
Click to see why this works
What strategies or techniques have worked well for you in the past?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals successful approaches and helps you learn from other members' experiences and what has worked for them.
4What support do you need from the group and how can we help?
Click to see why this works
What support do you need from the group and how can we help?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows support needs and helps you understand what other members need and how you can provide support.
5What boundaries do you need to feel safe and comfortable in the group?
Click to see why this works
What boundaries do you need to feel safe and comfortable in the group?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals safety needs and helps you understand what boundaries other members need to feel safe and comfortable.
6What triggers or sensitive topics should we be aware of?
Click to see why this works
What triggers or sensitive topics should we be aware of?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows sensitivity awareness and helps you understand what topics or situations might be triggering for other members.
7What progress have you made since starting group therapy?
Click to see why this works
What progress have you made since starting group therapy?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals growth and helps you understand what progress other members have made and what they've learned.
8What setbacks or challenges have you experienced recently?
Click to see why this works
What setbacks or challenges have you experienced recently?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows vulnerability and helps you understand what difficulties other members are facing and how they're handling them.
9What resources or tools have been most helpful to you?
Click to see why this works
What resources or tools have been most helpful to you?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals helpful resources and helps you learn about tools and resources that have been beneficial to other members.
10What patterns or behaviors are you trying to change?
Click to see why this works
What patterns or behaviors are you trying to change?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows change focus and helps you understand what patterns or behaviors other members are working to change.
11What strengths or positive qualities do you bring to the group?
Click to see why this works
What strengths or positive qualities do you bring to the group?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals positive attributes and helps you understand what strengths and qualities other members bring to the group.
12What fears or concerns do you have about group therapy?
Click to see why this works
What fears or concerns do you have about group therapy?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows vulnerability and helps you understand what fears or concerns other members have about the group process.
13What communication styles work best for you in group settings?
Click to see why this works
What communication styles work best for you in group settings?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals communication preferences and helps you understand how other members prefer to communicate in group settings.
14What feedback or input would be most helpful to you?
Click to see why this works
What feedback or input would be most helpful to you?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows feedback needs and helps you understand what type of feedback or input other members find most helpful.
15What goals do you have for your personal growth and development?
Click to see why this works
What goals do you have for your personal growth and development?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals growth goals and helps you understand what personal growth and development goals other members have.
16What role do you typically play in group settings?
Click to see why this works
What role do you typically play in group settings?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows group dynamics and helps you understand how other members typically participate in group settings.
17What support systems do you have outside of group therapy?
Click to see why this works
What support systems do you have outside of group therapy?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals external support and helps you understand what support systems other members have outside of the group.
18What self-care practices do you find most effective?
Click to see why this works
What self-care practices do you find most effective?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows self-care approaches and helps you learn about self-care practices that work well for other members.
19What would you like to learn or develop through group therapy?
Click to see why this works
What would you like to learn or develop through group therapy?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Reveals learning goals and helps you understand what other members want to learn or develop through the group process.
20How can we create a safe and supportive environment for everyone?
Click to see why this works
How can we create a safe and supportive environment for everyone?
Click to see why this works
Why this works
Shows group responsibility and helps you understand how to contribute to creating a safe and supportive group environment.
Best Practices for Group Therapy Participation
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Focus on Building Connections
Ask questions that help you understand other members' experiences, challenges, and goals to build meaningful connections.
Share Your Own Experiences
Share your own experiences, challenges, and insights to create a balanced and supportive group dynamic.
Respect Boundaries and Safety
Ask about boundaries, triggers, and safety needs to ensure everyone feels comfortable and supported in the group.
Question Sequences
The Connection Building Sequence
The Safety and Boundaries Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Ask Too Personal Questions
While sharing is important, avoid asking overly personal or intrusive questions. Let members share what they're comfortable with.
Don't Give Unsolicited Advice
Focus on listening and understanding rather than giving advice. Let the therapist guide the therapeutic process.
Don't Ignore Boundaries
Respect the boundaries and safety needs of other members. Don't push for information they're not comfortable sharing.