Support Groups in Oakland, CA
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 ...
The Relational Self
This group offers a holistic, trauma-informed and experiential therapeutic approach. The group aims to help members discover strengths, uncover and realign belief systems, improve their ability to relate and interact with others, receive feedback, and identify how societal/cultural themes influence ...
Hosted by Erica S Wheeler-Dubin
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94611
This group offers a holistic, trauma-informed and experiential therapeutic approach. The group aims to help members discover strengths, uncover and realign belief systems, improve their ability to relate and interact with others, receive feedback, and identify how societal/cultural themes influence ...
White Male Resilience -- Unlearning the "isms"
This three month group therapy course is for white men who want to make a social difference in their families, communities, and the world. This group will teach you skills necessary to stay present and connected in difficult and uncomfortable ...
Hosted by Aaron Wilson
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94618
This three month group therapy course is for white men who want to make a social difference in their families, communities, and the world. This group will teach you skills necessary to stay present and connected in difficult and uncomfortable ...
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 ...
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 ...
Somatic Therapy Skills Group
An 8-week holistic therapy group drawing from yoga philosophy, mindfulness meditation, EMDR and Dr. Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing®. Learn skills to trust and utilize your body as your guide in working toward greater awareness, authenticity and presence. In this group ...
Hosted by Shauna Bergh--Somatic Therapy & EMDR
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, RYT-500, SEP
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94608
An 8-week holistic therapy group drawing from yoga philosophy, mindfulness meditation, EMDR and Dr. Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing®. Learn skills to trust and utilize your body as your guide in working toward greater awareness, authenticity and presence. In this group ...
The Conscious Mom Reset
As a mom, you're likely the center of the household. You're constantly responding to your family's needs, big and small. But when you're so busy caring for others, it's hard to find the perspective to look at the big picture ...
Hosted by Nicole George-O'Brien
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94601
As a mom, you're likely the center of the household. You're constantly responding to your family's needs, big and small. But when you're so busy caring for others, it's hard to find the perspective to look at the big picture ...
DBT Skills Adults
Please see website for detailed info: http://www.oaklanddbtcent er.com
Hosted by Oakland DBT and Mindfulness Center
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Not Verified Not Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94611
Please see website for detailed info: http://www.oaklanddbtcent er.com
Healing &Transformation Through the Arts
In this ongoing group, we step through the doorway into the creative process. As we work in imagery and make art together, we discover and develop links to feelings, patterns, beliefs and inner iconography. Within the safety of our group, ...
Hosted by Merideth Bowen Shamszad
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94602
In this ongoing group, we step through the doorway into the creative process. As we work in imagery and make art together, we discover and develop links to feelings, patterns, beliefs and inner iconography. Within the safety of our group, ...
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 ...
Embodied Connection Circles
Hosted by Sharon Stafanson
Psychologist, PsyD, RYT 200
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94618
She's Strong but She's Exhausted
An eight week skill building support group for women of color who feel like they carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. What can I get from this? A safe space to openly share aspects of your story ...
Hosted by Akilah V. Vazquez
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94605
An eight week skill building support group for women of color who feel like they carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. What can I get from this? A safe space to openly share aspects of your story ...
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
Online Therapy Group for Gay Men
This group is for adults (21+) in CA who identify as gay and male. The purposes of this group are to receive and give support, increase compassion for yourself and others, and co-create a safe space for gay men to ...
Hosted by Max Littman
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94619
This group is for adults (21+) in CA who identify as gay and male. The purposes of this group are to receive and give support, increase compassion for yourself and others, and co-create a safe space for gay men to ...
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", ...
Wild Women Unleashed
In this 8 week expressive arts therapy group for women, we will be utilizing movement, drama, painting, writing, and collage to explore the archetype of the Wild Woman as a doorway to personal power, intuitive knowing and creative energy. This ...
Hosted by Judy Noddin
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94603
In this 8 week expressive arts therapy group for women, we will be utilizing movement, drama, painting, writing, and collage to explore the archetype of the Wild Woman as a doorway to personal power, intuitive knowing and creative energy. This ...
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 ...
Anger Management: Opening Doors to Change
NOTE: AT THIS TIME, I'M NOT OFFERING A GROUP BUT MAY BE OFFERING IT IN THE FUTURE. Recognize how and why your anger gets triggered and out of control. Identify feelings and underlying emotions. Interrupt the cycle before it causes ...
Hosted by Gloria Namkung
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94618
NOTE: AT THIS TIME, I'M NOT OFFERING A GROUP BUT MAY BE OFFERING IT IN THE FUTURE. Recognize how and why your anger gets triggered and out of control. Identify feelings and underlying emotions. Interrupt the cycle before it causes ...
Childhood Trauma Processing Group
Childhood trauma is defined as an event or events experienced by a child that is emotionally painful, frightening, or distressful, which can often lead to lasting mental and physical effects. Symptoms of childhood trauma in adults can include but are ...
Hosted by Christine Rivlin
Counselor, LPCC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94609
Childhood trauma is defined as an event or events experienced by a child that is emotionally painful, frightening, or distressful, which can often lead to lasting mental and physical effects. Symptoms of childhood trauma in adults can include but are ...
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 ...
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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.