The Difference Between Individual Counselling and Group Counselling.

Some people desire to attend for a counselling session but are somehow confuse
whether to pursue for individual counselling or group counselling. Both of those counselling
alternatives are meant as a platform for any person who is in need of help to be aided by an
individual who is capable to help but in a professional way. Despite their similarity in general
purpose, individual counselling and group counselling in some ways are different.
One key difference between individual counselling and group counselling is the
number of persons involved. In a session of individual counselling, there are only two
persons involved namely a counsellor and no other than a single client or counselee. Those
individuals are called as therapeutic alliances. However, a group counselling involves more
than two persons. They are the counsellor and two clients up to a number that is appropriate
for a particular group.
Second key difference is regarding the expected duration for a session. An individual
counselling session usually takes time around 45 minutes up to an hour depending on the
issues discussed. Unlike individual counselling, for a group counselling, its single session
consume longer time as there are more people who commit for that session. So, it commonly
takes time around two hours or the leader particularly the counsellor could decide the suitable
duration.
Lastly, individual counselling differs from group counselling in terms of the openness.
In fact, both of them are actually closed sessions which means they are private and
confidential. Even so, it can be said that individual counselling is less open as compared to
group counselling meaning that the session seems to be more secretive. On the other hand,
group counselling looks more open where the counselees tend to be more convenient to
express and share their personal thoughts and feelings. The act of openness can foster a
corresponding spirit of openness within the group (Corey, Corey, & Corey, 2014, p. 30).
In conclusion, there are three key differences between individual counselling and
group counselling which are the therapeutic alliances, the expected duration for a session, and
the openness. It is communal for one to go for individual counselling first but conversely,
attending group counselling is wise for certain people.

References
Corey, M. S., Corey, G., & Corey, C. (2014). Groups, process and practice (9th ed.).
Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
Shulman, L. (2011). Dynamics and skills of group counselling. Belmont: CA: Brooks/Cole,
Cengage Learning.