The Transformative Power of Connection in Virtual Group Therapy
Jackie Corrigan
Antioch University New England
For the past few months, I have been running virtual group sessions, something I once felt quite nervous about. The transition to facilitating groups online has been both challenging and enlightening. There was something uniquely intimidating about leading a virtual group compared to conducting individual sessions. My previous experience had been entirely in person, where shared physical space seemed essential for cultivating presence, connection, and relational depth. Yet, as I have continued facilitating these groups, I have become increasingly convinced that human connection can transcend physical distance. What has unfolded in these virtual spaces has been unexpectedly profound, reminding me that empathy and attunement are not confined to proximity; they can flourish wherever genuine connection is nurtured.
There is something deeply moving about the moment someone truly sees you, when you feel genuinely heard and understood. From an attachment perspective, this experience of being “seen” is not only emotionally satisfying but developmentally foundational. Early experiences of co-regulation, such as when a caregiver responds to an infant’s distress, teach a child that they are safe, valued, and capable of being soothed (Schore, 2019). These formative moments shape neural and emotional regulation systems throughout the lifespan. In therapy, we hold the privilege of recreating these moments of safety and attunement, often for clients who have never experienced them before.
One client captured this poignantly. During a discussion about co-regulation, she asked, “What if you’ve never had someone co-regulate you?” Her question was both heartbreaking and insightful. She described how the group itself has become a space of co-regulation: three times a week, surrounded by people who see her, believe in her, and show her that she deserves to be supported and loved. This experience has been transformative for her, underscoring that connection and belonging are not luxuries, they are essential for psychological healing and growth.
This is the heart of group work. Humans have an innate desire to belong and be understood. This is why doctoral cohorts can feel so cathartic: few outside them fully appreciate the pressures of internship applications, dissertation deadlines, and the balancing act of graduate life. It is also why people connect so strongly through sports teams, book clubs, or music groups. As a Cleveland Browns fan, I can attest that shared suffering is its own kind of bonding experience, nothing unites people quite like the collective agony of watching your team find new and creative ways to lose. Humor aside, it is this shared understanding and community that makes people feel less alone.
When members feel safe and understood, group cohesiveness naturally develops. Yalom and Leszcz (2005) identify cohesiveness as the single most curative factor in group therapy, describing it as the emotional climate that allows vulnerability and healing to emerge. Neuroscientific research supports this view: social connection and attuned relationships activate neural pathways related to reward and regulation, reinforcing feelings of safety and belonging (Schore, 2019; Siegel, 2020). Through repeated experiences of co-regulation, group interactions can literally reshape the brain via neuroplasticity, strengthening neural circuits tied to emotional regulation and secure attachment (Flores, 2010).
At the same time, I must admit that my imposter syndrome still visits me now and then. Sometimes I feel nervous if the group takes a detour that was not part of the planned agenda, I catch myself thinking, “Oh no, I hope I’m not wasting their time.” But then something unexpected and beautiful happens. One day, the group began talking about chia seeds, a completely unplanned topic that had nothing to do with the day’s focus. Instead of redirecting the discussion, I decided to follow their lead. What started as a lighthearted exchange about nutrition soon evolved into a meaningful conversation about self-care, control, and the small ways people try to nurture themselves when life feels uncertain.
In that moment, everyone was engaged, listening, laughing, and relating to one another in ways that felt genuine and alive. It reminded me that when space is provided for play and spontaneity, people often feel freer to be their full selves. As Axline (1947) emphasized in her non-directive approach, when individuals are allowed to lead the process within a safe, accepting environment, they begin to explore and express parts of themselves that might otherwise remain hidden. In a similar way, the playfulness of that chia seed conversation created a sense of psychological safety. The atmosphere became lighter, yet somehow deeper. The silent member, who had rarely spoken, began to share his own challenges and vulnerabilities, feeling that same invitation to show up fully and authentically.
These moments reflect what Yalom and Leszcz (2005) describe as the heart of group cohesion, the shared emotional climate that allows openness and trust to develop. When the group experiences connection in these small, spontaneous ways, they learn that authenticity is welcomed, not judged. From there, deeper therapeutic work naturally unfolds. Allowing the group to play, to lead, to laugh, and to connect without structure becomes its own kind of healing. It reinforces that therapy is not only about insight or interpretation, but also about being seen, accepted, and supported in all one’s complexity.
Ultimately, the neuroscience of attachment and the practice of group therapy converge on one essential truth: healing happens in connection. Whether through shared academic struggles, collective fandom, or therapeutic community, humans are wired for belonging. Virtual group therapy has shown that this connection is not limited by physical presence. Even through a screen, members experience the same sense of purpose, support, and relational depth as they would in an in-person group. Participants can connect with others who truly relate to their experiences, share vulnerabilities, and feel seen and accepted. The power of these virtual groups lies in their ability to cultivate belonging, foster trust, and reinforce that no one has to navigate life’s challenges alone.
Perhaps one of the enduring lessons of the pandemic was the realization that connection can flourish in unexpected spaces. Virtual groups have revealed that even outside of traditional settings, people can be brave, authentic, and deeply engaged. I admire my group members, their willingness to show up, to listen, to share, and to support one another, is a living demonstration of the profound potential of human connection. In every conversation, every moment of play, and even in the seemingly small exchanges, healing and growth are made possible. Virtual group therapy, in its own right, carries the same transformative power as in-person connection, proving that the need to belong and be seen transcends distance.
References
Axline, V. M. (1947). Play therapy. Ballantine Books.
Flores, P. J. (2010). Group therapy with addicted populations: Theory and practice. Guilford Press.
Schore, A. N. (2019). The right brain as the neurobiological engine of attachment. Routledge.
Siegel, D. J. (2020). The developing mind: How relationships and the brain interact to shape who we are (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (5th ed.). Basic Books.