experience	reduces	shame	and	isolation	and	also	helps	with	the	idea	of
accepting	anxiety	while	you	continue	to	live	your	life.
Communicating	and	connecting	in	a	group	therapy	setting	often	helps
people	develop	self-awareness	around	their	role(s)	in	social	relationships.
While	in	the	group,	a	person	may	act	out	a	role	that	they	use	to	manage	their
anxiety	in	real	life,	i.e.,	overly	friendly,	withdrawn,	very	inquisitive,
constantly	talking,	dismissive.	Group	members	typically	reflect	on	the	roles
they	notice	and	provide	one	another	with	feedback.	Because	group	therapy	is
not	real	life	and	is	confidential,	it	feels	safe	for	people	to	
process
	
such
feedback.	As	a	result,	they	become	more	flexible	or	even	adopt	other	roles	in
the	group	that	will	eventually	extend	to	their	real-life	relationships.
In	addition,	when	we’re	in	an	anxious	state,	adrenaline	can	take	over.	It
can	be	hard	to	know	what	we	feel	deep	down,	let	alone	find	the	words	to
express	what	we’re	feeling.	Yet,	anxiety	typically	decreases	when	we’re	able
to	talk	with	others.	Group	therapy	is	a	type	of	exposure	in	that	you’ll	probably
feel	anxious	at	moments.	At	the	same	time,	it’s	a	nonthreatening	place	for	you
to	become	more	skillful	at	knowing	what	you’re	feeling,	when	you’re	feeling