One works with a client. Client-Centered Psychotherapy operates on the premise that the client is the expert on his or her internal experience. It is therefore of great value to the client if the therapist can help the client become more aware of experience. Self-awareness can often be difficult to attain, because most of us are completely unaware that there are alternatives to our preconceived limitations. Group psychotherapy is a completely different experience from other forms of therapy.
Some groups are general, but most focus on an area that all group members have in common.
It is very common, for instance, that a group will be only open to men or women. Other groups focus on specific issues, such as survivors of abuse and addiction recovery groups. Both similarities and differences among group members are useful in the context of group therapy. Similarities might help people to see that they are not alone, or that they are not a freak . This can be healing in and of itself for many people.