The benefits of group therapy for teens - what Maryland parents need to know

Adolescence can be an isolating time. Even when teenagers are surrounded by classmates, teammates, relatives, and social media connections, they may still believe that no one truly understands what they are experiencing. At August Rose Health Center in Glen Burnie, Maryland, we work with teens and families across Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Prince George's County, and statewide via telehealth — and group therapy is one of the most effective tools we offer.

Anxiety, depression, grief, family changes, academic pressure, friendship challenges, low self-esteem, and difficulty managing emotions can leave a teen feeling alone. Some teenagers are also reluctant to discuss their feelings with adults because they fear being judged, misunderstood, punished, or treated differently.

Group therapy can provide a safe, structured environment where teens learn that they are not the only ones struggling.

For Maryland parents considering mental health support for their child, understanding how group therapy works can make the decision feel less overwhelming.

What Is Group Therapy for Teens?

Group therapy is a form of mental health treatment in which several participants meet with one or more trained therapists. Unlike an informal peer group or social gathering, clinical group therapy has specific goals, expectations, and therapeutic activities.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry explains that group therapy uses peer interactions and group dynamics to increase participants' understanding of mental health concerns and improve skills such as communication and social functioning. Groups may focus on areas such as anxiety, emotional regulation, grief, social skills, substance use, family relationships, or another shared concern.

A teen therapy group may include guided discussions, coping exercises, role-playing, mindfulness activities, problem-solving practice, journaling, or opportunities to give and receive appropriate peer feedback.

The therapist is responsible for guiding the group, maintaining emotional safety, reinforcing boundaries, and helping participants connect what happens in the group to their daily lives.

How Can Group Therapy Benefit Teenagers?

Teens Realize They Are Not Alone

Many teenagers assume that everyone else is more confident, happier, or better able to manage life than they are. Hearing peers describe similar fears, disappointments, and insecurities can reduce feelings of shame and isolation.

A teen may enter a group thinking, "Something must be wrong with me," and begin to understand, "Other people struggle with this too, and we can learn how to manage it."

That sense of connection can make it easier for teens to participate in treatment and speak honestly about their experiences.

Teens Can Practice Social and Communication Skills

Talking about healthy communication is helpful. Practicing it with other people can be even more meaningful.

Within a well-facilitated group, teens may practice:

• Expressing feelings without becoming aggressive or shutting down

• Listening without interrupting

• Setting and respecting boundaries

• Managing disagreements

• Asking for help

• Giving and receiving feedback

• Recognizing how their behavior affects others

These skills can transfer to interactions at home, in school, in friendships, and eventually in the workplace. Teens Learn From People Their Own Age

Parents, teachers, and therapists can offer valuable guidance, but teenagers may respond differently when they hear a healthy perspective from another teen.

A peer may explain a coping strategy in language that feels more relatable. Teens may also see another group member take an emotional risk, accept feedback, or work through a difficult situation. This can help them imagine making similar changes in their own lives.

The goal is not for teens to give one another clinical advice. The therapist helps participants learn through shared experiences while correcting unhealthy messages or misconceptions when needed.

The Group Provides a Place to Practice Coping Skills

A teen may understand a coping skill during an individual session but struggle to use it when feeling embarrassed, frustrated, rejected, or overwhelmed.

Group therapy allows teens to practice skills while interacting with others. Depending on the group's purpose, participants may work on grounding techniques, emotional regulation, problem-solving, distress tolerance, conflict resolution, self-compassion, or managing anxious thoughts.

The group provides opportunities for repetition, encouragement, and accountability.

Group Therapy Can Strengthen Confidence

Teenagers who are quiet, socially anxious, or unsure of themselves may initially participate very little. Over time, they may become more comfortable sharing an opinion, asking a question, or supporting another group member.

Those moments matter.

Speaking honestly and being met with understanding can help a teen develop confidence in their voice. Recognizing that their experiences may help someone else can also strengthen their sense of value and belonging.

Is Group Therapy the Same as Individual Therapy?

No. Individual therapy takes place privately between the teen and a therapist. It allows for more personalized attention to the teen's history, symptoms, goals, family relationships, and individual needs.

Group therapy uses interaction among participants as part of the treatment process.

Some teens benefit from group therapy alone. Others benefit from participating in both individual and group therapy. The right recommendation depends on the teen's needs, comfort level, treatment goals, diagnosis, current functioning, and safety concerns.

A therapist should assess whether a particular group is clinically appropriate rather than placing every teen into the same program.

What About Confidentiality?

Privacy is one of the most common concerns parents and teens have about group therapy.

The therapist is required to follow professional privacy and confidentiality standards. Group members are also typically expected to agree that they will not repeat another participant's personal information outside of the group.

However, parents should understand an important distinction: a therapist can establish confidentiality rules, discuss them regularly, and respond when concerns arise, but the therapist cannot provide an absolute guarantee that another teenager will never repeat something outside of the group.

Before enrollment, parents and teens should ask how the program:

• Explains confidentiality to participants

• Responds to gossip, bullying, or social media concerns

• Handles teens who attend the same school

• Addresses safety concerns disclosed during the group

• Communicates with parents or guardians

• Protects privacy during virtual sessions

A responsible provider should explain both the expectations for confidentiality and its limits in understandable language.

What Should Maryland Parents Know About Consent and Privacy?

Maryland has specific laws concerning a minor's ability to consent to mental health treatment.

Under Maryland law, a minor who is at least 12 years old and is determined by a qualified health care provider to be mature and capable of informed consent may consent to certain mental health consultation, diagnosis, and treatment. The law includes important limitations and exceptions, including provisions related to medication, parent-authorized treatment, and when information may be shared with a parent or guardian.

Maryland law also gives the treating provider some discretion regarding information shared with a parent or guardian. A provider may decide not to disclose certain information when the provider believes disclosure could harm the minor or discourage the minor from seeking care.

This does not mean parents are automatically excluded from treatment. Family involvement can be an important part of a teen's progress. It does mean that the provider should clearly explain:

• Who is consenting to treatment

• What information will be shared with parents

• What information may remain private

• What happens when there is a safety concern

• How parents can participate without taking away the teen's therapeutic space

Because individual circumstances differ, families should discuss consent, custody, access to records, and confidentiality directly with the treatment provider.

Does Maryland Medicaid Cover Group Therapy?

Maryland Medicaid recognizes group therapy as a reimbursable mental health service for children and adolescents when applicable requirements are met, including that the service is provided by a professional with competency in treating children or adolescents.

Maryland's behavioral health payment system can be confusing. Some primary behavioral health services are coordinated through a Medicaid participant's managed care organization, while specialty behavioral health services are administered separately through Maryland's public behavioral health system.

Coverage is not automatic for every group or every participant. Medical necessity, provider participation, eligibility, authorization requirements, and the type of group may affect coverage.

Before enrolling, parents should ask:

• Does the provider accept my child's insurance?

• Is this clinical group therapy or a nonclinical support group?

• Does my child need an assessment before joining?

• Is prior authorization required?

• Are there copayments or other costs?

• What happens if my teen misses a session?

Families with commercial insurance should contact their health plan to verify group psychotherapy benefits and any network or authorization requirements.

How Do I Know Whether a Group Is Right for My Teen?

A teen does not have to be naturally outgoing to benefit from group therapy. In fact, shy or anxious teens may benefit from a supportive group when they are given time to become comfortable.

Before enrollment, the therapist should consider whether the teen's needs match the group's purpose and structure.

Parents should ask the provider:

1. What ages are accepted into the group?

2. What concerns or skills does the group address?

3. How are participants screened?

4. How many teens will be in the group?

5. Who facilitates the sessions, and what are their credentials?

6. How long is each session, and how many weeks does the group meet?

7. What are the attendance expectations?

8. How will parents receive updates?

9. How are urgent safety concerns handled?

10. Can the teen continue individual therapy while attending the group?

Not every teen is appropriate for every group. A therapist may recommend individual therapy, family therapy, psychiatric care, crisis services, or a more intensive level of treatment before or instead of group therapy.

That recommendation is not a rejection. It is part of matching the teen with the safest and most appropriate support.

How Parents Can Support a Teen Participating in Group Therapy

Parents can support the process without pressuring their teen to disclose what other group members discussed.

Try asking:

• "How did you feel after the group?"

• "Was there a skill you practiced today?"

• "Is there anything you would like support using at home?"

• "Do you feel comfortable with the therapist and the group?"

• "Is there anything you want me to communicate to your provider?"

Avoid repeatedly asking who said what or demanding details about other participants. Respecting the group's privacy teaches teens that mental health treatment is a safe and responsible space.

It may take several sessions for a teen to feel comfortable. Parents should pay attention to the teen's feedback while also encouraging appropriate consistency. Concerns about the facilitator, other participants, bullying, privacy, or emotional safety should be discussed directly with the provider.

Group Therapy for Teens at August Rose Health Center

August Rose Health Center in Glen Burnie, Maryland offers CARF-accredited group therapy for teens through our licensed clinical team. Our teen therapy groups are led by licensed therapists and counselors experienced in adolescent mental health — including anxiety, depression, trauma, social skills, and emotional regulation.

We accept Maryland Medicaid — including all HealthChoice managed care plans such as CareFirst Community Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, Maryland Physicians Care, and Priority Partners.. Same-week intake appointments are often available.

In-person and telehealth options available. Teen group therapy sessions are available at our Glen Burnie office and via secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth video for families throughout Maryland — including Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Prince George's County, Howard County, Montgomery County, and Anne Arundel County.

To ask about current teen group therapy availability, call 410-412-7791 or submit an appointment request online. Our intake team will verify your insurance coverage and discuss whether group therapy is the right fit for your teen.

Helping Teens Find Connection and Support

Teenagers need more than advice. They need safe places to practice being honest, managing difficult emotions, connecting with others, and learning that asking for help is a strength.

Group therapy can give teens an opportunity to feel understood while developing skills they can use beyond the therapy room.

At August Rose Health Center, we believe effective mental health care should be compassionate, culturally responsive, and centered on the needs of each child and family.

Parents and caregivers may call August Rose Health Center at 410-412-7791 to ask about current teen therapy options, group availability, eligibility, insurance participation, and scheduling. Availability may vary based on current programming and clinical fit.

If your teen is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988 to connect with Maryland's Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Support is available 24 hours a day. If your teen is in immediate danger or needs emergency medical attention, call 911.

Frequently Asked Questions About Teen Group Therapy in Maryland

Does Maryland Medicaid cover group therapy for teens? Yes. Maryland Medicaid covers group psychotherapy for children and adolescents when provided by a licensed mental health professional and medical necessity criteria are met. August Rose Health Center accepts all Maryland HealthChoice Medicaid plans. Call 410-412-7791 to verify your teen's specific coverage before the first appointment.

How old does my teen need to be for group therapy? Group therapy at August Rose Health Center is available for teens ages 12 and older. Some groups may have specific age ranges — our intake team will discuss which group is the right fit for your teen's age and clinical needs.

Can my teen do both group therapy and individual therapy at the same time? Yes. Many teens benefit from attending both. Individual therapy allows for more personalized attention to your teen's specific history and goals, while group therapy provides peer connection and skills practice. Our clinicians can help determine the right combination for your teen.

Is group therapy available via telehealth in Maryland? Yes. August Rose Health Center offers teen group therapy via secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth video — accessible from any phone, tablet, or computer. Telehealth group therapy is available to teens throughout Maryland and is covered by Maryland Medicaid. No app download is required.

This article is intended for general education and does not replace an individualized mental health assessment, medical advice, or legal advice.