Support Groups in Oakland, CA
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 ...
Grief and Loss Group (Virtual)
Welcoming all Adults in California who have experienced the loss of someone significant. Join (virtually) a circle of people who understand and are grieving alongside you. Although grief is a part of life, it is one of the most difficult ...
Hosted by Sarah Cybulski
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94611
Welcoming all Adults in California who have experienced the loss of someone significant. Join (virtually) a circle of people who understand and are grieving alongside you. Although grief is a part of life, it is one of the most difficult ...
Teen Art Therapy Group
The Teen Art Therapy group is for girls, genderqueer, non-binary, and trans teens between the ages of 14-18. This art therapy group integrates therapeutic art making, journaling, and talk therapy and focuses on self esteem, social skills, transitions, relationships, body ...
Hosted by East Bay Art Therapy
Art Therapist, MPS, ATR-BC, LCAT, ATCS
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94610
The Teen Art Therapy group is for girls, genderqueer, non-binary, and trans teens between the ages of 14-18. This art therapy group integrates therapeutic art making, journaling, and talk therapy and focuses on self esteem, social skills, transitions, relationships, body ...
Ecotherapy Group (Currently Not Occuring)
This ongoing group is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in taking their process outdoors-into the beautiful oak, bay, and redwood forests of the Oakland hills. This group is for those who would like a respite from the bustle and ...
Hosted by Matthew McKernan
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94611
This ongoing group is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in taking their process outdoors-into the beautiful oak, bay, and redwood forests of the Oakland hills. This group is for those who would like a respite from the bustle and ...
Grief Support Group
It's important to talk about your loved one, honor your emotions and recognize the various stages of mourning. With loss also comes changes in self-identity and the role a person plays in life. This group is a safe space where ...
Hosted by Cathy Trenary
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, APCC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94609
It's important to talk about your loved one, honor your emotions and recognize the various stages of mourning. With loss also comes changes in self-identity and the role a person plays in life. This group is a safe space where ...
Your Therapy Room
Hosted by Brittaney Latta
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94603
Workshop-Seven Principles For Making Marriage Work
New dates to be determined. Save Your Marriage/Relationship - an 8 hour relationship workshop based on the research of John Gottman, PhD and his book the Seven Principles For Making Marriage Work. Visit my website for registration information.
Hosted by John R. Edwards
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94609
New dates to be determined. Save Your Marriage/Relationship - an 8 hour relationship workshop based on the research of John Gottman, PhD and his book the Seven Principles For Making Marriage Work. Visit my website for registration information.
Yoga Therapy Groups
Hosted by Sarah Campbell
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT, RYT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94609
Brain Injury Recovery
Support group/cognitive function course in brain injury recovery. Each group will start with a short lesson followed by group discussion. With a group of peers you will learn how to manage lingering symptoms, and build healthy habits. Common topics include: ...
Hosted by Next Steps Neuropsychology
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94610
Support group/cognitive function course in brain injury recovery. Each group will start with a short lesson followed by group discussion. With a group of peers you will learn how to manage lingering symptoms, and build healthy habits. Common topics include: ...
Suicide Bereavement Group
Hosted by La Cheim Behavioral Services
Hosted by Susan Futterman
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94609
Hosted by La Cheim Behavioral Services
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.
Mixed/Multi-heritage Identity group- online
As someone who identifies as bi/multiracial, bi/multicultural, or in some other way that doesn't quite fit these boxes, this group is an opportunity to come together with other multi-heritage folks to share experiences, be seen and heard, "take up space", ...
Hosted by Jennie Powe Runde
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, REAT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94609
As someone who identifies as bi/multiracial, bi/multicultural, or in some other way that doesn't quite fit these boxes, this group is an opportunity to come together with other multi-heritage folks to share experiences, be seen and heard, "take up space", ...
Ongoing adult therapy group
This ongoing group consists of mental health professionals or graduate students who wish to enhance their personal growth and development. It is a very stable group whose participants are interested in expanding their ability to trust, support and gently challenge ...
Hosted by Jeff Sharp
Psychologist
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94618
This ongoing group consists of mental health professionals or graduate students who wish to enhance their personal growth and development. It is a very stable group whose participants are interested in expanding their ability to trust, support and gently challenge ...
Self-Healing & Empowerment (SHE) Group for Blk Wmn
Society tends to approach and respond to womxn as if we're the caretakers of the world, including in the workplace. And whew, this can feel overwhelming! Black womxn struggle with psychological burdens that result from feeling different from others and ...
Hosted by Fellana L Randall
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94611
Society tends to approach and respond to womxn as if we're the caretakers of the world, including in the workplace. And whew, this can feel overwhelming! Black womxn struggle with psychological burdens that result from feeling different from others and ...
Interplay Support Group for Therapists
This is a group for LMFT's, LPCC's, LCSW's, Psychologists and Interns in these fields. It is a support group for professionals using the spirit and forms of Interplay to inform our lives and our work.
Play is fun, stress free, and ...
Hosted by John Connors McConville
Marriage & Family Therapist, MDiv, MA, LMFT, PhD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94612
This is a group for LMFT's, LPCC's, LCSW's, Psychologists and Interns in these fields. It is a support group for professionals using the spirit and forms of Interplay to inform our lives and our work.
Play is fun, stress free, and ...
Adult Children of Alcoholics
This group addresses the psychological issues of ACAs. There is a maximum of 8 people in the group Please call for information. This group is currently closed.
Hosted by Theresa M Fleury
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94618
This group addresses the psychological issues of ACAs. There is a maximum of 8 people in the group Please call for information. This group is currently closed.
1) Living with Cancer 2) Surviving Infertility
1) Living with Cancer-a support group for individuals living with cancer from Diagnosis to Post-Treatment 2)Infertility- a support group for surviving Infertility emotionally and practically
Hosted by Jackie Fine Dahan
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94610
1) Living with Cancer-a support group for individuals living with cancer from Diagnosis to Post-Treatment 2)Infertility- a support group for surviving Infertility emotionally and practically
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 ...
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 ...
Parenting through the College Application Process
This group is to help parents during the stressful period of their child's college application process. It will provide both support and information about your role and how to best help your child. It will provide guidance about when to ...
Hosted by Alison Trules
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94618
This group is to help parents during the stressful period of their child's college application process. It will provide both support and information about your role and how to best help your child. It will provide guidance about when to ...
See more therapy options for Oakland
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.