Support Groups in Oakland, CA
Free Yourself: Somatic-IFS Skills Group
Listening to your body’s wisdom is re-learning how to trust yourself. This skills group is for those interested in practicing how to quiet the mind for greater connection to one’s intuition. Weekly sessions will include psychoeducation using somatic and IFS ...
Hosted by Lauren Massell
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94611
Listening to your body’s wisdom is re-learning how to trust yourself. This skills group is for those interested in practicing how to quiet the mind for greater connection to one’s intuition. Weekly sessions will include psychoeducation using somatic and IFS ...
addiction recovery group
This group is designed specifically for people who are in recovery from drug or alcohol use issues.
Hosted by Peter V. Curtin
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, BA, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94618
This group is designed specifically for people who are in recovery from drug or alcohol use issues.
Dream Consultation
I developed a gift for dream interpretation early in life. In this group participants practice and gradually gain expertise in the interpretation of their own dreams. We discuss the nature of symbolic dream material, metaphors, archetypes, world mythologies and psychodynamic ...
Hosted by Barry Steven Friedman
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, MFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94611
I developed a gift for dream interpretation early in life. In this group participants practice and gradually gain expertise in the interpretation of their own dreams. We discuss the nature of symbolic dream material, metaphors, archetypes, world mythologies and psychodynamic ...
Jessica Engle
Does dating scare you? Do you worry you'll die alone but also feel too scared to open your heart to someone? Our dating and social anxiety group can help you find companionship; learn practical, evidence-based techniques for working with and ...
Hosted by Bay Area Dating Coach
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, RDT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94612
Does dating scare you? Do you worry you'll die alone but also feel too scared to open your heart to someone? Our dating and social anxiety group can help you find companionship; learn practical, evidence-based techniques for working with and ...
detoxing masculinity: group for men of color
This facilitated weekly group will utilize a combination of psychoeducation, group process/discussion and experiential activities (mindfulness, trauma-release, expressive arts,etc) to explore our diverse experience as men of color. Part of our work as self-identified men of color is to unlearn ...
Hosted by Sarwang Parikh
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94611
This facilitated weekly group will utilize a combination of psychoeducation, group process/discussion and experiential activities (mindfulness, trauma-release, expressive arts,etc) to explore our diverse experience as men of color. Part of our work as self-identified men of color is to unlearn ...
CalPsychiatry
CalPsychiatry is a group of informed, empathetic and team-oriented psychiatrists. We have specialties in treatment of mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder), anxiety disorders (including OCD), ADHD, addiction and women's mental health. We have practices in San Francisco, Oakland, Palo Alto ...
Hosted by Juliet Morgan
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94609
CalPsychiatry is a group of informed, empathetic and team-oriented psychiatrists. We have specialties in treatment of mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder), anxiety disorders (including OCD), ADHD, addiction and women's mental health. We have practices in San Francisco, Oakland, Palo Alto ...
Women's Interpersonal Therapy Group
This group meets weekly. It is an intimate group with a six person maximum. Clients explore issues related to managing emotions, strengthening self esteem, and deepening interpersonal relationships. The group offers a combination of psycho-education, support, and interpersonal process. Members ...
Hosted by Tina Bollendorf
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94610
This group meets weekly. It is an intimate group with a six person maximum. Clients explore issues related to managing emotions, strengthening self esteem, and deepening interpersonal relationships. The group offers a combination of psycho-education, support, and interpersonal process. Members ...
Girls with Anxiety
Hosted by Being: A Psychological Corporation
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94610
Please visit our website for more details.
Hosted by Grateful Heart Holistic Therapy Center
Pre-Licensed Professional
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94610
Group Process for High Schoolers
Conscious self- development begins in adolescence. Teenagers experience a huge amount of pressure from school, friends, and society. Most kids in high school become overwhelmed by this at some point- they often struggle with balancing their academic load with social ...
Hosted by Holly Frances
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94618
Conscious self- development begins in adolescence. Teenagers experience a huge amount of pressure from school, friends, and society. Most kids in high school become overwhelmed by this at some point- they often struggle with balancing their academic load with social ...
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Group
Virtual ACT for Anxiety and Depression workshop: 8-week course to help you find your path to a life worth living. Whether you struggle with lifelong anxiety and/or depression, feel stuck in life or overwhelmed by current events, this group can ...
Hosted by Nicole Poell
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94611
Virtual ACT for Anxiety and Depression workshop: 8-week course to help you find your path to a life worth living. Whether you struggle with lifelong anxiety and/or depression, feel stuck in life or overwhelmed by current events, this group can ...
Healing Course to a Healthy & Lasting Relationship
Calling all Single Women! It's Your Time. Are your ready to embark on a life changing journey towards attracting a healthy, emotionally available mate? Are you tired of being in a dysfunctional or toxic relationships? Do you repeatedly find yourself ...
Hosted by Dr. Vernita Marsh & Associates
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94610
Calling all Single Women! It's Your Time. Are your ready to embark on a life changing journey towards attracting a healthy, emotionally available mate? Are you tired of being in a dysfunctional or toxic relationships? Do you repeatedly find yourself ...
IFS Women's Support Group for grief & relationship
This group is a six-week therapy group for women, blending the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model and mindfulness. This group is tailored for those navigating grief, trauma, relationship shifts, and career challenges along with a safe space for exploration. I ...
Hosted by Kelly Albrecht
Pre-Licensed Professional, ASW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94609
This group is a six-week therapy group for women, blending the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model and mindfulness. This group is tailored for those navigating grief, trauma, relationship shifts, and career challenges along with a safe space for exploration. I ...
Creative Community: Winter Expressive Arts
Start the new year with mornings of guided creativity and connection. This online group introduces participants to expressive arts therapy. This 4-week process is designed to: Invite centered relaxation, process emotions, connect deeply to self and others, explore creative self ...
Hosted by Yoshiko Hedges Powell
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94602
Start the new year with mornings of guided creativity and connection. This online group introduces participants to expressive arts therapy. This 4-week process is designed to: Invite centered relaxation, process emotions, connect deeply to self and others, explore creative self ...
Growing Older with Grace
Finding peace of mind in the mayhem of growing older can be challenging. As our bodies age, we can benefit from sharing our stories, and seeing our experiences reflected in our community. We are, none of us, alone in this ...
Hosted by Uma Kahn Therapy
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, MBA
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94609
Finding peace of mind in the mayhem of growing older can be challenging. As our bodies age, we can benefit from sharing our stories, and seeing our experiences reflected in our community. We are, none of us, alone in this ...
Mindfulness for Women of Color
Women of Color: Learn mindfulness skills to help you increase your calm, sense of peace and comfort within yourself, and to lessen your overwhelm. A six week online course with lessons delivered by email, then followed up with live online ...
Hosted by Cindi Rivera
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94602
Women of Color: Learn mindfulness skills to help you increase your calm, sense of peace and comfort within yourself, and to lessen your overwhelm. A six week online course with lessons delivered by email, then followed up with live online ...
Emotional Regulation and Social Skills
Emotional Regulation & Social Skills: Could your child use help managing big feelings and impulses? This group draws from Michelle Garcia-Winner's social thinking curriculum, using a narrative-based approach to these behaviors by externalizing them as "Unthinkables" characters that your child ...
Hosted by Kate Ekman
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94610
Emotional Regulation & Social Skills: Could your child use help managing big feelings and impulses? This group draws from Michelle Garcia-Winner's social thinking curriculum, using a narrative-based approach to these behaviors by externalizing them as "Unthinkables" characters that your child ...
For the Loved Ones of Alcoholics and Addicts
An intimate, rich process group of 4-9 members who seek support around coping with a loved one's addiction or mental illness, and are ready to engage in self-care. Designed for high functioning individuals interested in embracing life's confounding challenges as ...
Hosted by Cecilia S. Kardel
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94611
An intimate, rich process group of 4-9 members who seek support around coping with a loved one's addiction or mental illness, and are ready to engage in self-care. Designed for high functioning individuals interested in embracing life's confounding challenges as ...
Solace:Online Support Group for Navigating Anxiety
This online group will provide community and support for living with anxiety. Many of us were experiencing high levels of anxiety before the COVID19 crisis. If you are feeling overwhelmed, fearful, alone and unsure about what to do, this is ...
Hosted by Jennifer Lilly
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94609
This online group will provide community and support for living with anxiety. Many of us were experiencing high levels of anxiety before the COVID19 crisis. If you are feeling overwhelmed, fearful, alone and unsure about what to do, this is ...
Girls Group!
Girls Group is for 7th and 8th grade girls who want to build supportive friendships and feel more confident in themselves. Group runs from March 6th through April 24th. The cost is $500 for 8 sessions.
Hosted by Andrea Weicker
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94618
Girls Group is for 7th and 8th grade girls who want to build supportive friendships and feel more confident in themselves. Group runs from March 6th through April 24th. The cost is $500 for 8 sessions.
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FAQs - About Group Therapy and Support Groups
How can I find a support group in Oakland?
Search for nearby support groups by inputting your city, zip code, or the name of the group into the search bar. From there, you can filter to find a group that suits your needs, whether you are looking for support for a teenager, a group that focuses on a specific issue, such as depression, or a particular program type, such as one geared toward developing social skills. To navigate between locations within the same country, enter a new city or zip code into the search bar.
How does group therapy work?
Therapy groups are led by one or more therapists and serve to help people process their experiences and learn from others who understand their challenges firsthand. They can be based on a specific issue, such as addiction, grief, physical illnesses, parenting, and caregiving. They can involve a specific type of program or therapy, such as a social skills group or CBT group. They can also be specific to a particular population or community, such as teens or LGBTQ.
Support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous, also focus on a specific issue, but are typically led by members with lived experiences and are less structured than therapy groups. Most therapy groups will meet for a fixed length of time with a consistent group of members, while many support groups meet for an indefinite period of time with members coming and going.
Support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous, also focus on a specific issue, but are typically led by members with lived experiences and are less structured than therapy groups. Most therapy groups will meet for a fixed length of time with a consistent group of members, while many support groups meet for an indefinite period of time with members coming and going.
What are the benefits of group therapy?
Support groups help connect people with shared challenges or physical and mental health conditions. In a group setting, participants can receive support and feedback from peers and can acquire new skills, strategies and perspectives by listening to one another. Discussing your experience with someone who also has a cancer diagnosis, or whose son also struggles with addiction, for example, can help you feel less alone, reduce distress, find empathy and connection, and learn practical or medical information that has helped others. Group therapy can also be a more affordable option than individual therapy and just as effective.
Is group therapy as effective as individual therapy?
Support groups can be deeply valuable for both emotional support and/or treatment outcomes. It’s difficult to make a blanket statement on efficacy due to the many different types of support groups and conditions treated, but group therapy has been found to be just as effective as individual therapy in establishing long-term abstinence for conditions such as substance abuse, addiction and alcohol abuse.
How much does group therapy cost?
Group counseling is typically less expensive than individual counseling, with each session costing on average between $60 to $75. Meanwhile, individual therapy sessions can run anywhere from $100 to $200 and up, even after insurance. It is possible to find low-cost group therapy options and many therapists offer group sessions free of charge.
Does insurance cover group therapy?
As with individual therapy, many insurance companies do offer coverage for group therapy sessions. However, the coverage varies based on your insurance plan details and whether you choose an in-network or out-of-network mental healthcare provider. Individuals are encouraged to check with their insurance providers to verify coverage.
How long does group therapy last?
The length of a support group session is often one hour but can fall anywhere between 45 minutes and two hours. The amount of time that people remain in a support group varies based on their specific needs and goals and the type of therapy. Some individuals may seek a shorter-term group, such as a bereavement group, that may last between six and 20 weeks. Some may seek a longer-term group that lasts for a year or indefinitely.
What are the limitations of support groups?
Support groups have many benefits, but there are a few limitations as well. Support groups do not constitute formal therapeutic or medical treatment, and are not run by licensed mental health professionals, so some people may opt for group therapy or individual therapy instead. Additionally, support groups can depend on the other participants, so a disruptive individual has the potential to mar the group dynamic, and the anecdotal information shared may sometimes be unhelpful or inaccurate. Because it is a group setting, confidentiality can be more difficult to guard and participants receive less personalized attention than they would in an individual therapy session.