Group therapy will take longer than individual therapy because I will have to share the time with others. Actually, group therapy is often more efficient than individual therapy for two reasons. First, you can benefit from the group even during sessions when you say little but listen carefully to others. You will find that you have much in common with other group members, and as they work on a concern, you can learn more about yourself. Secondly, group members will often bring up issues that strike a chord with you, but that you might not have been aware of or brought up yourself.
Group therapy is second-best to individual therapy.
Group therapy is being recommended to you because your counselor believes that it is the most effective way to address your concerns. Group therapy offers many benefits that are not as available with individual therapy. In everyday life it is often difficult to get useful and reliable information about yourself from others. People seldom take the time to carefully observe others, and the social constraints against giving others honest feedback inhibits the sharing of observations that could be helpful and instructive. By contrast, group members do take the time to observe and share impressions in honest and caring ways.