Support Groups in Oakland, CA
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 ...
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: ...
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 ...
Embodied Authenticity
Gain awareness of how attachment styles, internal working models and defensive patterns close off one's energy and experiences. Explore the effects of somatic holding patterns. The group will use strengths & capacities that group members already have to explore living ...
Hosted by Trisha Rowe
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94602
Gain awareness of how attachment styles, internal working models and defensive patterns close off one's energy and experiences. Explore the effects of somatic holding patterns. The group will use strengths & capacities that group members already have to explore living ...
Consultation Group
Meet with at least 3 clinicians for weekly consultation about clinical material.
Hosted by Angie N Branham
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94609
Meet with at least 3 clinicians for weekly consultation about clinical material.
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.
Trans/Nonbinary Adults- DBT Skills Group
Starting May 3rd, this DBT skills group for trans and/or nonbinary adults will focus on learning and practicing skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy's four skills modules: mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance. Each module will last approximately 12 ...
Hosted by Frankie Phipps
Pre-Licensed Professional, APCC, MA
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94610
Starting May 3rd, this DBT skills group for trans and/or nonbinary adults will focus on learning and practicing skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy's four skills modules: mindfulness, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance. Each module will last approximately 12 ...
Moving Through Emotional Crisis Group
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
DBT Skills Group
A DBT skills group uses a psycho-educational class format where the emphasis is on learning and practicing behavioral skills. These skills include mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness. Skills are taught in a series of three modules, each ...
Hosted by Charese Allen
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94610
A DBT skills group uses a psycho-educational class format where the emphasis is on learning and practicing behavioral skills. These skills include mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness. Skills are taught in a series of three modules, each ...
Embodied Connection Circles
Hosted by Sharon Stafanson
Psychologist, PsyD, RYT 200
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94618
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 ...
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 ...
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.
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
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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.