Gay Mens’ Group
Whether you are a member of the LGBTQ+ or know someone who is gay, joining a support group is one of the best ways to learn more about sexual orientation advocacy and meet like-minded people. Our goal is to process and review ...
Hosted by Desiree Hedberg
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Los Gatos, CA 95032
Whether you are a member of the LGBTQ+ or know someone who is gay, joining a support group is one of the best ways to learn more about sexual orientation advocacy and meet like-minded people. Our goal is to process and review ...
detoxing masculinity: group for men of color
This facilitated weekly group will utilize a combination of psychoeducation, group process/discussion and experiential activities (mindfulness, trauma-release, expressive arts,etc) to explore our diverse experience as men of color. Part of our work as self-identified men of color is to unlearn ...
Hosted by Sarwang Parikh
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oakland, CA 94611
This facilitated weekly group will utilize a combination of psychoeducation, group process/discussion and experiential activities (mindfulness, trauma-release, expressive arts,etc) to explore our diverse experience as men of color. Part of our work as self-identified men of color is to unlearn ...
Asian American Experience Support Group
A community healing space for Asian Americans to share their experiences, reflect and restore power. Gain support from like-minded Asian Americans, learn how to identify and overcome trauma responses, cultivate voice through sharing, learn assertive communication skills, and apply lessons ...
Hosted by Chao Zhao
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT, ATR
Verified Verified
Group meets in Arcadia, CA 91006
A community healing space for Asian Americans to share their experiences, reflect and restore power. Gain support from like-minded Asian Americans, learn how to identify and overcome trauma responses, cultivate voice through sharing, learn assertive communication skills, and apply lessons ...
Spiritual Awakening
The purpose of this Program is to provide a loving, supportive environment to nurture your spiritual growth. During the Program, you will learn how to receive Inner Guidance more clearly and how to apply it in your daily life experience. ...
Hosted by Miracle Activation Center
Pastoral Counselor, OMC, CHT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Chino Hills, CA 91709
The purpose of this Program is to provide a loving, supportive environment to nurture your spiritual growth. During the Program, you will learn how to receive Inner Guidance more clearly and how to apply it in your daily life experience. ...
Sand Tray Training
This group is offered yearly for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of this expressive modality. I train from a Gestalt perspective using the phenomenological process of the Violet Oaklander Model. The trainings includes theory and experiential practice in ...
Hosted by Stephanie Pawlowicz
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, RPT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Barbara, CA 93101
This group is offered yearly for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of this expressive modality. I train from a Gestalt perspective using the phenomenological process of the Violet Oaklander Model. The trainings includes theory and experiential practice in ...
Codependent Recovery Group
The group works with people who are struggling with codependency with family members, work or community. It is a therapeutic based group, where work is shared. It is an open group so you are free to join the group at ...
Hosted by Roberta Heesen Reid
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Redlands, CA 92373
The group works with people who are struggling with codependency with family members, work or community. It is a therapeutic based group, where work is shared. It is an open group so you are free to join the group at ...
Teen DBT Group (Multi-Family)
Personal Evolution Psychotherapy (PEP) provides DBT skills training groups that provide skills to teens who have anxiety, mood swings or depression, poor communication with family or friends, family conflict, difficulty regulating emotions, low impulse control or emotional eating, a difficult ...
Hosted by Personal Evolution Psychotherapy - Soojin Poole
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in San Diego, CA 92108
Personal Evolution Psychotherapy (PEP) provides DBT skills training groups that provide skills to teens who have anxiety, mood swings or depression, poor communication with family or friends, family conflict, difficulty regulating emotions, low impulse control or emotional eating, a difficult ...
Sheroes - Women empowering Women of Abuse
This group is for women who were sexually molested in childhood/adolescence/ adulthood. It is a closed group - by invitation only. The focus of the group is empowering women to reclaim their lives emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually - however ...
Hosted by Sally Diane
Marriage & Family Therapist, EdD, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in La Quinta, CA 92253
This group is for women who were sexually molested in childhood/adolescence/ adulthood. It is a closed group - by invitation only. The focus of the group is empowering women to reclaim their lives emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually - however ...
Life Enrichment Services
Hosted by Liz Weisenburger
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, MA, MS, CRC, APCC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Oceanside, CA 92054
Online Women's Circle for Highly Sensitive People
The HSP Women's Circle gives members the experience of connecting and being supported by others who share their depth and empathy. The group is designed specifically for sensitive women who think and feel deeply. This environment provides a rich setting ...
Hosted by Tiana Leeds
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, Coach
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Barbara, CA 93101
The HSP Women's Circle gives members the experience of connecting and being supported by others who share their depth and empathy. The group is designed specifically for sensitive women who think and feel deeply. This environment provides a rich setting ...
Galtress Counseling
Galtress Counseling is a private practice in Chico, CA in Butte County. Currently I am only seeing clients virtually via video or telephone.
Hosted by Tom Galtress
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Chico, CA 95926
Galtress Counseling is a private practice in Chico, CA in Butte County. Currently I am only seeing clients virtually via video or telephone.
Elevation Behavioral Health Outpatient Program
Elevation Behavioral Health offers outpatient treatment and groups for addiction and mental health conditions. Call for more information.
Hosted by Elevation Behavioral Health Mental Health Retreats
Treatment Center
Verified Verified
Group meets in Agoura Hills, CA 91301
Elevation Behavioral Health offers outpatient treatment and groups for addiction and mental health conditions. Call for more information.
High School Support Group
This open process group is designed for teens in grades 9-12 to navigate challenges, foster mutual learning, and provide support to one another. Commonly explored discussion topics include depression and anxiety, academic pressures, social challenges, substance use, relationship conflicts, family ...
Hosted by Patricia L Pascoe
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Barbara, CA 93101
This open process group is designed for teens in grades 9-12 to navigate challenges, foster mutual learning, and provide support to one another. Commonly explored discussion topics include depression and anxiety, academic pressures, social challenges, substance use, relationship conflicts, family ...
Women's Metamorphosis
Women experience the transformational power of self discovery, validation and attention. The group uses expressive arts, SoulCollage©, poetry and prose to reveal the hidden treasures within themselves. In a supportive, caring environment, participants share their vulnerability, courage and authenticity leading ...
Hosted by Mary Welschmeyer
Marriage & Family Therapist, BSN, MAPsych, RN, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Monterey, CA 93940
Women experience the transformational power of self discovery, validation and attention. The group uses expressive arts, SoulCollage©, poetry and prose to reveal the hidden treasures within themselves. In a supportive, caring environment, participants share their vulnerability, courage and authenticity leading ...
Community Psychiatry
For over a decade, Community Psychiatry has been improving access to psychiatry by creating cooperative relationships with physicians, psychotherapists, hospitals, and insurers. Our group has over 20 offices around the San Joaquin, Sacramento, and Bay Areas. Our commitment is to ...
For over a decade, Community Psychiatry has been improving access to psychiatry by creating cooperative relationships with physicians, psychotherapists, hospitals, and insurers. Our group has over 20 offices around the San Joaquin, Sacramento, and Bay Areas. Our commitment is to ...
Meaning-Making for Childfree Women in Mid-Life
Do you crave a community where you can be understood and explore your unique perspectives on your life choices? Are you feeling insecure, anxious, or depressed and wish to reconnect to meaning and purpose in mid-life and beyond? Do you ...
Hosted by Jacquelyn Toth
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Do you crave a community where you can be understood and explore your unique perspectives on your life choices? Are you feeling insecure, anxious, or depressed and wish to reconnect to meaning and purpose in mid-life and beyond? Do you ...
Alzheimers Family Support Group at Belmont Village
Support group for family, friends and caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer's disease. A place to share your story and challenges and hear from others as well. You are not alone. Please join us. Free/no cost. Sponsored by Belmont Village. ...
Hosted by Robin Evans
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, MSW, PPSC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Support group for family, friends and caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer's disease. A place to share your story and challenges and hear from others as well. You are not alone. Please join us. Free/no cost. Sponsored by Belmont Village. ...
Couples Therapy psychoeducational group
Solid relationships take work, courage, and engagement with each other. The good news is that there is a roadmap for getting and keeping your connected and passionate... no matter how distressed it is right now. Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy has ...
Hosted by Rose Hickman Smith
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, MA, JD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Culver City, CA 90230
Solid relationships take work, courage, and engagement with each other. The good news is that there is a roadmap for getting and keeping your connected and passionate... no matter how distressed it is right now. Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy has ...
SABI Pathways Holistic Wellness
Sara Ashley Baker Integrative Pathways is committed to providing a down-to-earth environment for conscious individuals to explore their mind, body & soul on a deeper level. We believe that through the integration of holistic practices you can build more loving ...
Hosted by Courtney Whetstone
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Palm Springs, CA 92262
Sara Ashley Baker Integrative Pathways is committed to providing a down-to-earth environment for conscious individuals to explore their mind, body & soul on a deeper level. We believe that through the integration of holistic practices you can build more loving ...
See more therapy options for California
FAQs - About Group Therapy and Support Groups
How can I find a support group in California?
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.