Chronic Pain Relief via Video
This online chronic pain recovery and relief group will begin to meet via video (California residents only) when there are enough interested participants. I anticipate starting this group in June of 2024. I have led chronic pain education and support ...
Hosted by Dr. Heather Martarella
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Emeryville, CA 94608
This online chronic pain recovery and relief group will begin to meet via video (California residents only) when there are enough interested participants. I anticipate starting this group in June of 2024. I have led chronic pain education and support ...
Introduction to The Work of Byron Katie
I offer periodic one day workshops in The Work of Byron Katie. The Work of Byron Katie helps people see and question their painful thoughts or beliefs to bring them more peace. Learn the basic steps of inquiry to be ...
Hosted by Kristie A Vogel
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in San Leandro, CA 94577
I offer periodic one day workshops in The Work of Byron Katie. The Work of Byron Katie helps people see and question their painful thoughts or beliefs to bring them more peace. Learn the basic steps of inquiry to be ...
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 ...
Appletree Psychological Services
Appletree Psychological Services is a private multi-disciplinary mental health clinic. We provide professional mental health services to clients across all ages, sex and gender, ethnic backgrounds, and culture. We value your trust in us. We work together as a team ...
Appletree Psychological Services is a private multi-disciplinary mental health clinic. We provide professional mental health services to clients across all ages, sex and gender, ethnic backgrounds, and culture. We value your trust in us. We work together as a team ...
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 ...
Del Valle Clinic
The Del Valle Clinic has been established in Livermore, California since 1984. We are a psychological clinic providing psychotherapy for adults, children, adolescents, and their families. We also provide psycho-educational and social-emotional testing for children and adolescents. It is our ...
The Del Valle Clinic has been established in Livermore, California since 1984. We are a psychological clinic providing psychotherapy for adults, children, adolescents, and their families. We also provide psycho-educational and social-emotional testing for children and adolescents. It is our ...
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 ...
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 ...
Bisexual + Folks Recovering from Trauma
A twice monthly therapeutic group combining education on trauma, somatic coping skills (mindfulness, yoga, movement) and expressive arts activities where attendees will: 1) learn the basic science of trauma and the nervous system 2) practice somatic coping skills for emotional ...
Hosted by Josephine Kelly
Pre-Licensed Professional, MSW, ASW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Berkeley, CA 94705
A twice monthly therapeutic group combining education on trauma, somatic coping skills (mindfulness, yoga, movement) and expressive arts activities where attendees will: 1) learn the basic science of trauma and the nervous system 2) practice somatic coping skills for emotional ...
Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Group
This 12 week group specializes in women who have experienced relationship trauma. This group will discuss: 1) narcissistic abuse 2) setting boundaries 3) dealing with high conflict
4) closure and moving on 5) healthy practices of dealing/communicating with narcissists 6) ...
This 12 week group specializes in women who have experienced relationship trauma. This group will discuss: 1) narcissistic abuse 2) setting boundaries 3) dealing with high conflict
4) closure and moving on 5) healthy practices of dealing/communicating with narcissists 6) ...
Meditation Support Group
This group is for beginning and intermediate meditators to learn and practice meditation in a supportive small group. Many people feel they "can't" meditate, they give up quickly, or continue to try but find it very difficult and unpleasant, often ...
Hosted by Heather Hardeman Galvano
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Berkeley, CA 94705
This group is for beginning and intermediate meditators to learn and practice meditation in a supportive small group. Many people feel they "can't" meditate, they give up quickly, or continue to try but find it very difficult and unpleasant, often ...
cancer and cancer treatment support
I have been leading a cancer and cancer treatment support group at San Quentin State prison since 2015. I have been deeply moved by the courage and fortitude of my patients as they have faced various cancers and the challenges ...
I have been leading a cancer and cancer treatment support group at San Quentin State prison since 2015. I have been deeply moved by the courage and fortitude of my patients as they have faced various cancers and the challenges ...
Virtual Group for Women Experiencing Infertility
Another new year and still not pregnant? Are you struggling with anxiety and depression? Has it been a marathon towards trying to conceive or a journey filled with losses or both? Give yourself the gift of support in 2024 as ...
Hosted by Catherine Pfister
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Berkeley, CA 94710
Another new year and still not pregnant? Are you struggling with anxiety and depression? Has it been a marathon towards trying to conceive or a journey filled with losses or both? Give yourself the gift of support in 2024 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. ...
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. ...
The Center for Early Childhood Connections
The Center for Early Childhood Connections provides relationship focused, culturally attuned, and collaborative educational, mental health and wellness supports starting from pregnancy through age five for young children and those who care for them.
Hosted by Amanda Campbell
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Albany, CA 94706
The Center for Early Childhood Connections provides relationship focused, culturally attuned, and collaborative educational, mental health and wellness supports starting from pregnancy through age five for young children and those who care for them.
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 ...
Women's Metastatic Cancer
Support Group for women with metastatic cancer to share experiences, treatment, journey
Hosted by Kim C Venezia
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Berkeley, CA 94705
Support Group for women with metastatic cancer to share experiences, treatment, journey
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", ...
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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.