Support Groups in Oakland, CA
Support Group for New/First Time Dads
The impact of bringing a child into the world can be challenging to navigate, but as fathers we can strengthen one another. In this group we will be looking at our own experiences in childhood and what was modeled by ...
Hosted by Scott Silverstein
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94606
The impact of bringing a child into the world can be challenging to navigate, but as fathers we can strengthen one another. In this group we will be looking at our own experiences in childhood and what was modeled by ...
Build Confidence, Find Companionship
Hello shy introvert! Do you have an Inner Critic that won’t quit? From morning to night, that critical voice in your head says things like, “what’s wrong with me?” & “I’m going to disappoint everyone!” Our dating & social anxiety ...
Hosted by Social Anxiety Support Center
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT, RDT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94612
Hello shy introvert! Do you have an Inner Critic that won’t quit? From morning to night, that critical voice in your head says things like, “what’s wrong with me?” & “I’m going to disappoint everyone!” Our dating & social anxiety ...
Moving with the Seasons: Ecotherapy Circle
This year long circle and training offers a balance of self-growth and deepening earth practices, practical ecotherapy tools and discerning and refining one’s unique gifts for Earth supportive work. You will gain: Earth-based practices and inspiration for deepening your daily ...
Hosted by Ariana Candell: Brainspotting
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, Somatic
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94602
This year long circle and training offers a balance of self-growth and deepening earth practices, practical ecotherapy tools and discerning and refining one’s unique gifts for Earth supportive work. You will gain: Earth-based practices and inspiration for deepening your daily ...
DBT Skills Group
Hosted by Hannah Michele Raiden-Wright
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, MPH
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94610
Men's Group
This group is an opportunity for men to cultivate more fulfilling relationships with themselves, loved ones, and other men. Through self-exploration and receiving the support of others, participants have the opportunity to find a deeper strength within. This strength can ...
Hosted by Nick Wightman
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94611
This group is an opportunity for men to cultivate more fulfilling relationships with themselves, loved ones, and other men. Through self-exploration and receiving the support of others, participants have the opportunity to find a deeper strength within. This strength can ...
Moving Throughout Emotional Crisis
Offering a blend of didactic skill based training and supportive group process, the Moving Through Emotional Crisis Group offers support to anyone suffering from intense depression, anxiety or trauma related symptoms. This 90 minute group is divided into approximately 30 ...
Hosted by Mary Deyo
Psychologist, MA, PsyD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94602
Offering a blend of didactic skill based training and supportive group process, the Moving Through Emotional Crisis Group offers support to anyone suffering from intense depression, anxiety or trauma related symptoms. This 90 minute group is divided into approximately 30 ...
Dream Wisdom Circle
You will be sharing a dream, walking through it as you tell it like a story. With a focused inquiry and and reflection on the symbols in your dream you will experience the guidance and support your dreams can offer. ...
Hosted by Dana Locke
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94618
You will be sharing a dream, walking through it as you tell it like a story. With a focused inquiry and and reflection on the symbols in your dream you will experience the guidance and support your dreams can offer. ...
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 ...
Orgasms (O's) are Good Women's Group
Many women don't have orgasms on a regular basis or "fake" it to please their partner. This group's focus is to empower women to enjoy their bodies and reach their potential through homework exercises and positive group feedback.
Hosted by Ask Alison Leigh, PHD, MFT
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, MFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94602
Many women don't have orgasms on a regular basis or "fake" it to please their partner. This group's focus is to empower women to enjoy their bodies and reach their potential through homework exercises and positive group feedback.
True Yang Somatic Ketamine Therapy
True Yang Somatic Ketamine Therapy offers Somatic Ketamine-Assisted Therapy for the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, spiritual and existential growth, and other life challenges. Somatic therapy is a body-based modality where the therapist invites the client to gain insight, healing, ...
Hosted by Kiri Maura
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, LPCC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94611
True Yang Somatic Ketamine Therapy offers Somatic Ketamine-Assisted Therapy for the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, spiritual and existential growth, and other life challenges. Somatic therapy is a body-based modality where the therapist invites the client to gain insight, healing, ...
Chronic Illness Support Group (Oakland)
A group for anyone who experiences a chronic illness condition or chronic pain condition, to come together with others to be supported around these conditions
Hosted by Eric J Young
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT, APCC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94609
A group for anyone who experiences a chronic illness condition or chronic pain condition, to come together with others to be supported around these conditions
Group Therapy for Gay and Bisexual Men-Online only
Gay, bisexual, and queer men face distinct challenges in connecting emotionally with other men. Struggling with societal expectations, it is easy to fall into isolation or unfulfilling relationships. Processing the “here and now” interpersonal dynamics in group therapy, men may ...
Hosted by Adam MacDonald
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94610
Gay, bisexual, and queer men face distinct challenges in connecting emotionally with other men. Struggling with societal expectations, it is easy to fall into isolation or unfulfilling relationships. Processing the “here and now” interpersonal dynamics in group therapy, men may ...
Girls with Anxiety
Hosted by Being: A Psychological Corporation
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94610
Self Esteem for Teens
In this group we give an open space for teen girls to learn and discuss their issues while providing psychoeducation to build self esteem and healthy relationships.
Hosted by Kale Woods
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94611
In this group we give an open space for teen girls to learn and discuss their issues while providing psychoeducation to build self esteem and healthy relationships.
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Climate Therapy
If you are experiencing distress related to climate change, join my group for people with anxiety and grief related to our changing planet. In the group we will learn skills for managing with climate emotions and practice naming our emotions. ...
Hosted by Dr. Emily Chandler
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, DMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94610
If you are experiencing distress related to climate change, join my group for people with anxiety and grief related to our changing planet. In the group we will learn skills for managing with climate emotions and practice naming our emotions. ...
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 ...
Grief Recovery Support Group
The Grief Recovery Method® Grief Support Group IN PERSON In Oakland! June 4th-July 23rd (Tuesday evenings). The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, Estrangement & Other Losses. How do you “let go,” “move on,” and “accept” a loss? Many ...
Hosted by Megan Gredesky
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, RDT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94610
The Grief Recovery Method® Grief Support Group IN PERSON In Oakland! June 4th-July 23rd (Tuesday evenings). The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, Estrangement & Other Losses. How do you “let go,” “move on,” and “accept” a loss? Many ...
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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.