Guided by experienced facilitators and designed to help participants gain clarity and feel supported, our group therapy helps clients move forward in their recovery journeys. As a key part of our behavioral health treatment model for individuals working to overcome substance dependency, these sessions can be a part of both outpatient and residential treatment.
These sessions can create a space for peer connection, emotional healing, and skill-building.
This therapy supports long-term recovery by fostering a sense of belonging and shared growth. These sessions make it possible for participants to connect with others who understand the complex challenges of addiction and who are also working to make meaningful life changes.
Supportive, Facilitated Group Environments
All of our sessions are led by qualified facilitators who are trained in substance use recovery and mental health. Each follows a structured format while allowing space for real-time discussion and engagement. All groups meet in a safe, confidential environment that encourages honest dialogue and mutual respect.
Our facilitators work to ensure that each person’s voice is heard. While participants may enter with varying levels of comfort speaking in groups, over time they find that being part of a supportive community makes it easier to open up.
Group members are guided to:
- Listen actively to others’ stories
- Offer constructive feedback
- Reflect on their own thoughts and behaviors
- Share strategies and coping tools
- Practice respectful communication
Through this process, individuals begin to experience trust, connection, and accountability—tools that are, all too often, missing in the lives of those impacted by substance dependency.
Therapeutic Areas of Focus
All sessions are different, yes. But, each group session focuses on topics that support recovery and personal development. The team selects focus areas to help participants understand their behaviors, regulate emotions, and establish positive patterns.
Some of the core themes addressed in group therapy include:
- Managing cravings and recognizing high-risk situations
- Improving decision-making and impulse control
- Exploring emotional patterns connected to substance use
- Addressing anger, grief, shame, and fear
- Developing relapse prevention techniques
- Practicing problem-solving in everyday situations
- Strengthening self-esteem and personal identity
- Learning to identify and change negative thinking
Those are just some examples. By tackling these themes in a group setting, clients benefit from diverse perspectives and real-time encouragement. The shared experience shows them they are not alone and that others are committed to making similar changes.
Types of Group Therapy Sessions We Have Offered
Canon Human Services offers a variety of group formats to meet the different needs of clients. These may vary depending on the phase of treatment and the client’s participation in residential or outpatient services.
Psychoeducational Groups
These sessions combine education with interactive discussion. Facilitators provide information about addiction science, mental health, and recovery skills. Facilitators encourage participants to ask questions, share their thoughts, and connect the information to their lived experience.
Process Groups
Process-oriented groups are focused on self-exploration and emotional expression. In these sessions, participants are invited to speak openly about their lives, feelings, and challenges. The emphasis is on creating a safe space for vulnerability and interpersonal learning.
Coping Skills Groups
These groups focus on practical strategies for managing stress, building emotional regulation, and navigating daily life. Clients learn and rehearse specific skills such as grounding exercises, assertive communication, and time management.
Participants may engage in sessions designed around planning and achieving personal recovery goals. These groups involve discussions about setting intentions, monitoring progress, and addressing setbacks without shame.
Peer-focused support groups give clients space to share milestones, setbacks, and successes. These sessions reinforce motivation and foster a culture of shared accountability.
Peer Connection: A Foundation for Healing
The opportunity to share recovery with others builds strength and clarity. When participants listen to one another’s experiences, they often find moments of recognition that inspire empathy and motivation.
Group dynamics offer real-time insight into how individuals relate to others. Through observation and feedback, clients begin to recognize interpersonal patterns that may have contributed to their substance use.
Feeling understood by others without judgment helps reduce the shame and isolation that often accompany addiction. Learning to navigate group interaction—such as setting boundaries, resolving conflict, or practicing honesty—prepares them for healthier relationships beyond treatment.
Integrated with Individualized Treatment Plans
Every participant at Canon Human Services receives a personalized treatment plan. Our group therapy complements one-on-one cognitive behavioral therapy and other recovery services, reinforcing therapeutic goals and offering opportunities for practice and reflection.
Clinicians monitor each client’s participation in group settings to ensure that they are receiving the appropriate support. When challenges arise—such as emotional triggers, interpersonal difficulties, or resistance to engagement—therapists can address them in individual sessions and adjust treatment plans accordingly.
A Place to Practice New Behaviors
Many people entering treatment have spent years avoiding emotional discomfort, either through substance use or other behaviors. Group therapy creates a safe environment to try something different.
Participants are encouraged to:
- Speak truthfully, even when it feels uncomfortable
- Share feelings without fear of judgment
- Accept feedback with openness
- Set and respect emotional boundaries
- Support others without trying to fix or control them
Over time, these experiences help clients feel more confident and self-aware. As clients practice healthier communication and emotional management, they become better equipped to navigate life outside of treatment.
A Community to Support Your Recovery Journey
Addiction can fester in secrecy and disconnection. Group therapy provides a powerful antidote by offering a space for shared stories, collective strength, and the rebuilding of trust.
The community formed in therapy can become a cornerstone of recovery. Clients often form lasting connections that support them beyond the formal treatment setting. Whether through check-ins, peer mentorship, aftercare programs and more, those relationships provide long-term encouragement and a reminder that recovery is a shared path.
Getting Started With Our Group Therapy
Access to group therapy is part of enrollment in Canon’s outpatient or residential treatment programs. The process begins with a comprehensive intake that assesses each person’s needs, goals, and history. The team assigns clients to a treatment schedule based on that assessment, including group sessions that align with their progress and emotional readiness.
As part of this process, clients receive clear guidance on group expectations, confidentiality policies, and participation guidelines. Facilitators and clinical staff work with each person to ensure they feel comfortable, prepared, and supported.
For individuals seeking a recovery experience that includes peer support, emotional healing, and meaningful connection, group therapy at Canon Human Services offers a valuable path forward. Whether as part of a residential stay or outpatient care, these sessions help people rebuild relationships, discover inner strength, and move toward healthier, more purposeful lives.
If you want to get started or find out more about available services, reach out to Canon Human Services today. The team is ready to help you take that first or next step in a community that understands and supports your journey.