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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Men's Group
A group for men to connect, share about personal topics and support one another. Topics may include: intimate relationships, expressing emotions, work & career, and examining the ways men are socialized in society, all with the goal of fostering more ...
Hosted by Woody Wu
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Berkeley, CA 94702
A group for men to connect, share about personal topics and support one another. Topics may include: intimate relationships, expressing emotions, work & career, and examining the ways men are socialized in society, all with the goal of fostering more ...
White Anti-Racist Study Group for Clinicians
An ongoing white anti-racist study group for mental health clinicians looking to unpack what it means to be white in American culture and how being white effects how we live, love and work.
Hosted by Rae Walker Mountz
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, MA
Verified Verified
Group meets in Berkeley, CA 94704
An ongoing white anti-racist study group for mental health clinicians looking to unpack what it means to be white in American culture and how being white effects how we live, love and work.
Couples Anxiety Reduction Technique
I explain how to do it, demo it with a couple, and answer questions about it. I'll teach one member of a couple to lead a protocol where they can help heal (reduce the trigger / fight / flight / ...
Hosted by Bay Area Couples Counseling
Marriage & Family Therapist, Emotion, Focused, Couples
Verified Verified
Group meets in Berkeley, CA 94705
I explain how to do it, demo it with a couple, and answer questions about it. I'll teach one member of a couple to lead a protocol where they can help heal (reduce the trigger / fight / flight / ...
Guilt & Belonging: Asian-American Therapy Group
Are you a childhood trauma survivor or have challenging relationships with parents or family members? Did you feel responsible for others' feelings growing up? Are you considering setting boundaries with parents/family members, or have already set boundaries, but you feel ...
Hosted by Fei A Hu
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Berkeley, CA 94704
Are you a childhood trauma survivor or have challenging relationships with parents or family members? Did you feel responsible for others' feelings growing up? Are you considering setting boundaries with parents/family members, or have already set boundaries, but you feel ...
Exploring Aging and Illness
Hosted by Nancy Sarah Rothschild
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Berkeley, CA 94702
Caregiver Support Group
Monthly online support group for family members and friends living in Alameda or Contra Costa Counties who are caring for an elderly relative/friend (age 60+). You must register before attending. Please call me or email me at Family Caregiver Alliance ...
Hosted by Amanda Hartrey
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Emeryville, CA 94608
Monthly online support group for family members and friends living in Alameda or Contra Costa Counties who are caring for an elderly relative/friend (age 60+). You must register before attending. Please call me or email me at Family Caregiver Alliance ...
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
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
Marriage Survival Training
Marriage is hard. No wonder so many couples start out madly in love but still end up divorced. This 2-day Christian marriage intensive is offered on-line and in-person. The format alternates between teaching sessions (group class) and couple practice time ...
Hosted by Joy Wong Liu
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Albany, CA 94706
Marriage is hard. No wonder so many couples start out madly in love but still end up divorced. This 2-day Christian marriage intensive is offered on-line and in-person. The format alternates between teaching sessions (group class) and couple practice time ...
Embodied Connection Circles
Hosted by Sharon Stafanson
Psychologist, PsyD, RYT 200
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94618
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", ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Men's Sexual Addiction
This group is an orientation to individual, intensive work using FSAP- Feeling State Addiction Protocol, by Robert Miller, Ph.D.
Hosted by Michael McCratic
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT, BCETS
Verified Verified
Group meets in Pleasanton, CA 94566
This group is an orientation to individual, intensive work using FSAP- Feeling State Addiction Protocol, by Robert Miller, Ph.D.
Yoga Therapy Groups
Hosted by Sarah Campbell
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, MFT, RYT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94609
In Real Life Men's Group- Tuesdays- In-Person
**3 OPENINGS** Are you struggling to get to the bottom of your relationship struggles in individual therapy? Are you missing the intimacy you crave in friendships and romantic relationships? It's time to look deeper. IRL Men's Groups offer a space ...
**3 OPENINGS** Are you struggling to get to the bottom of your relationship struggles in individual therapy? Are you missing the intimacy you crave in friendships and romantic relationships? It's time to look deeper. IRL Men's Groups offer a space ...
Bay Area Therapy Group
Hosted by Anisha Mauze
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Berkeley, CA 94705
See more therapy options for Alameda County
FAQs - About Group Therapy and Support Groups
How can I find a support group in Alameda County?
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.