Irvin D. Yalom once said, "The group provides a microcosm of the outside world, a laboratory in which individuals can experiment with new behaviors and interpersonal styles."

Therapy is a slow, beautiful process, yet it can sometimes feel isolating. For many, it may be the only place where they feel safe discussing their feelings, dreams, aspirations, triggers, fears, and joys. But after that hour of introspection and reflection, they often return to the same people, places, and situations. While some may have a strong social support network, this, too, has become a privilege that not everyone can access.

Here support groups can play an important role. These groups provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where people gather to share experiences and hold space for each other. In a support group, the goal isn’t to solve each other’s problems but simply to be present for one another as they explore their feelings—a skill often lacking in society.

Here’s how support groups can complement therapy like the Yang to its Ying:

• Combating Loneliness – We’re currently facing a loneliness epidemic, and one powerful remedy is genuine connection. Support groups can offer a sense of belonging and remind you that you’re not alone in your experiences.

  
  

• Getting Out of Your Head – Mental health issues can sometimes lead us to view everything through the lens of our personal struggles, fantasies, and a distorted view of the world, keeping us away from reality. When we interact with others in a raw setting, they help us step outside ourselves and view things from a broader perspective.

• Experimenting with New Behaviors – Learning boundaries in therapy? Great! How do we implement those IRL? Therapy might teach us to set boundaries, but support groups offer a real-life space to practice them. Here, you can experiment with new behaviors without the fear of losing close relationships.

• Strengthening Sense of Self – In a support group, there’s no judge or jury to categorize your thoughts or behaviors as right or wrong. Instead, you’re free to accept and embrace both your similarities and differences with others. As Bunny from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani says, “Tum galat nahi ho, bas mujhse bahut alag ho” (You’re not wrong, just very different from me).

• Building Empathy – Being in such an intimate space with others and hearing their perspectives, can help us learn the skill of empathy. Learning to empathize with others can further significantly improve our relationships.

In essence, a support group can act as a mini-world, giving you insights into what you might want to work on in therapy. You can experiment with different types of support groups, sharing circles, or listening circles until you find one that truly resonates. At the end of the day, we are a social animal and we need each other.

You can explore support groups here:

• https://www.soulup.in/collections/all-soulup-groups

• https://themindclan.com/sharing_spaces/

• Stay updated by signing up to our newsletter (scroll to the bottom)