Individual Therapy vs. Group Therapy for New Moms

Reviewed by Dr. Sanam Shamtobi, PhD, PMH-C

The short answer: Individual therapy gives you a private space and a plan built entirely around you. Group therapy gives you something different: other mothers who get it, in the same room, saying the things you thought only you felt. Many moms do both at different stages. Neither is the lesser option.

Different Formats, Different Strengths

Individual and group therapy are both genuinely effective formats for postpartum mental health support - but they work in different ways and address different needs. The question is not which is better, but which is right for where you are right now.

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy is a private, one-on-one relationship with a perinatal therapist. Sessions are tailored entirely to your specific experience - your birth story, your history, your relationship patterns, your particular symptoms. Individual therapy is the right format when the work requires depth, privacy, or a treatment approach that needs to be closely calibrated to your presentation. It is also the format of choice when symptoms are severe or when the content is particularly sensitive.

Group Therapy

Group therapy brings together mothers who are navigating similar challenges, facilitated by a trained therapist. What group therapy offers that individual therapy cannot is the experience of being witnessed by peers - other women who understand what you are carrying without needing it explained. For postpartum isolation and shame, that sense of not being alone can be genuinely therapeutic in a way that is distinct from one-on-one work.

Group therapy is not a watered-down version of individual therapy. It is a different modality with its own mechanisms of change: normalization, peer support, witnessing others' progress, and the experience of being helpful to someone else.

The Bottom Line

Many mothers find that both formats serve them at different times or simultaneously. Individual therapy for the depth work; group therapy for the connection and normalization. If you are not sure where to start, a perinatal therapist can help you assess which format is the best entry point for your specific situation.

What the Research Shows

Postpartum Support International reports that 1 in 5 women experience depression or anxiety during the perinatal period. Isolation makes those numbers heavier, which is exactly what group care is built to counter.

Therapy itself is well proven: In a clinical trial funded by the National Institutes of Health, women who received talk therapy based on cognitive behavioral therapy had 81% lower odds of depression or anxiety six weeks after childbirth.

From Dr. Shamtobi

Dr. Shamtobi described to the Westside Current why The Mother Hood runs groups alongside individual care.

"That's what everyone wants these days, is community. We want to feel like we're not alone. In our groups, we're facilitating those introductions, creating a therapeutic space, but then they can go and have each other forever." (as told to the Westside Current)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is group therapy awkward?

The first ten minutes, maybe. Then someone says the thing you have been afraid to say out loud, and the room changes. Groups are facilitated by a therapist, so you are never left to fend for yourself. Learn more about group therapy.

Which is better for postpartum depression?

Neither is better across the board. Individual therapy goes deeper into your specific history; group adds belonging and normalizing that individual work cannot replicate. Many mothers start individual and add group when they are ready.

Can I do both at the same time?

Yes, and it is a common combination in our practice. The individual work gives you privacy and depth; the group gives you a village. Reach out and we will help you find the right mix.

At The Mother Hood, we offer specialized individual and group therapy for new mothers in Los Angeles and across California via telehealth. If you're ready to talk, reach out to schedule a consultation.

Related reading: Compare next: in-person vs. telehealth therapy.

Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line), or contact the Postpartum Support International Helpline at 1-800-944-4773. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider about your specific situation.