Changing Direction - Women's Group
Do you feel alone? Lost? Out of control? As though it's all just too much? You are not alone. Join this 5 week virtual therapeutic group to learn practical coping skills, heal, grow, and discover the change in your direction. ...
Do you feel alone? Lost? Out of control? As though it's all just too much? You are not alone. Join this 5 week virtual therapeutic group to learn practical coping skills, heal, grow, and discover the change in your direction. ...
Mindful Mamas
Are you a mother who often feels overwhelmed and exhausted with juggling all the things? Longing for some easy tools to add to your mama toolkit? Research shows us that by incorporating mindfulness practices people can DECREASE stress, rumination, emotional ...
Hosted by Vanya Laporte
Counsellor, MA, RCC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Salt Spring Island, BC V8K
Are you a mother who often feels overwhelmed and exhausted with juggling all the things? Longing for some easy tools to add to your mama toolkit? Research shows us that by incorporating mindfulness practices people can DECREASE stress, rumination, emotional ...
Virtual Recovery
Welcome to Westminster House Virtual Recovery Program. Whether you are new to or familiar with recovery, the next eight weeks will take you through a journey of self-discovery. You will learn the fundamentals of a 12 step program and the ...
Hosted by Westminster House Society for Women
Treatment Centre, CCS-AC
Verified Verified
Group meets in New Westminster, BC V3M
Welcome to Westminster House Virtual Recovery Program. Whether you are new to or familiar with recovery, the next eight weeks will take you through a journey of self-discovery. You will learn the fundamentals of a 12 step program and the ...
Reclaiming Desire: Low Desire Mindfulness Group
Do you struggle with low sexual desire? You may be feeling like there’s something wrong with you - maybe you once loved sex and wanted it, and now feel nervous, uneasy, or even panicked at the thought of sex. It ...
Hosted by Allura Sex Therapy Centre
Counsellor, MCP, RCC, CST
Verified Verified
Group meets in Vancouver, BC V6C
Do you struggle with low sexual desire? You may be feeling like there’s something wrong with you - maybe you once loved sex and wanted it, and now feel nervous, uneasy, or even panicked at the thought of sex. It ...
Find Your Voice
Find your voice using music as a mirror for your unexpressed potential! In these 4 weeks you will: Develop your self-understanding and self-expression to feel more WHOLE in your life, relationships, work, health! Engage a variety of music-related approaches including: ...
Hosted by Luke Lee Burton
Counsellor, MMT, MTA, RCC
Verified Verified
Group meets in North Vancouver, BC V7G
Find your voice using music as a mirror for your unexpressed potential! In these 4 weeks you will: Develop your self-understanding and self-expression to feel more WHOLE in your life, relationships, work, health! Engage a variety of music-related approaches including: ...
Hilarapy
I am an assistant facilitator with Hilarapy. Hilarapy™ is a ground-breaking type of comedy therapy to help relieve emotional pain and stress, improve confidence and feelings of well-being and joy. Our Courses and Workshops are an invitation into a deeper, ...
Hosted by Ellen Bradley-Cheung Counselling
Counsellor, BA, RTC
Verified Verified
Group meets in White Rock, BC V4B
I am an assistant facilitator with Hilarapy. Hilarapy™ is a ground-breaking type of comedy therapy to help relieve emotional pain and stress, improve confidence and feelings of well-being and joy. Our Courses and Workshops are an invitation into a deeper, ...
Know Your Worth
Using a variety of practices for self-inquiry, we will explore:* Assessment, understanding and knowing thyself* The tools of visualization, mapping, self-inquiry, self-compassion, and meditation* Nourishing your body, mind, heart and spiritual practice* Exploring how our life can be used toward ...
Hosted by Lynn S Hiscoe
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, RCC, RSW, MSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Creston, BC V0B
Using a variety of practices for self-inquiry, we will explore:* Assessment, understanding and knowing thyself* The tools of visualization, mapping, self-inquiry, self-compassion, and meditation* Nourishing your body, mind, heart and spiritual practice* Exploring how our life can be used toward ...
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction is a psycho-educational program for individuals seeking to increase self-awareness, understanding, insight relative to thoughts, emotions, physical sensations that trigger stress response and optimal ways to self-regulate, consciously choose responses and ultimate build resiliency to help ...
Hosted by Senses Mindfulness Coaching
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MTA, RSW, MBA
Verified Verified
Group meets in Invermere, BC V0A
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction is a psycho-educational program for individuals seeking to increase self-awareness, understanding, insight relative to thoughts, emotions, physical sensations that trigger stress response and optimal ways to self-regulate, consciously choose responses and ultimate build resiliency to help ...
The Daring Way(tm)
Hosted by Celeste M Schell
Counsellor, BA, (Hon, MC, RCC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Kamloops, BC V2C
Arches Counselling & Consulting
At Arches Counselling our mission is to provide therapy that is respectful, validating, and collaborative. What matters to us is that you have an experience of compassionate curiosity. Together we will determine the best approach of support to improve the ...
At Arches Counselling our mission is to provide therapy that is respectful, validating, and collaborative. What matters to us is that you have an experience of compassionate curiosity. Together we will determine the best approach of support to improve the ...
Evergreen Counselling Group
An evergreen tree is a symbol of hope, because thrives in the worst of circumstances. At Evergreen Counselling Group we know that life is rarely what we want it to be, but believe that no matter your situation you can ...
An evergreen tree is a symbol of hope, because thrives in the worst of circumstances. At Evergreen Counselling Group we know that life is rarely what we want it to be, but believe that no matter your situation you can ...
8 week Intro to DBT
8 Week Introduction to DBT This is an introductory DBT skills training program offered both on-line and in person. In these 8 weeks we are able to provide an overview of the core DBT skills related to mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, ...
Hosted by Rebecca Wood
Registered Social Worker, RSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Victoria, BC V9A
8 Week Introduction to DBT This is an introductory DBT skills training program offered both on-line and in person. In these 8 weeks we are able to provide an overview of the core DBT skills related to mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, ...
Guided Meditation Group
Guided meditation offers a range of advantages, including stress reduction, increased mindfulness, and improved mental clarity. As part of our commitment to supporting individuals on their wellness journey, we offer the opportunity to participate in group online guided meditation sessions ...
Guided meditation offers a range of advantages, including stress reduction, increased mindfulness, and improved mental clarity. As part of our commitment to supporting individuals on their wellness journey, we offer the opportunity to participate in group online guided meditation sessions ...
Dad's with Compassion
Dad's with Compassion is a group that helps dads explore personal values, beliefs, and ethics. Other areas explored include the difference between punishment and discipline, various parenting styles, natural and logical consequences, and a segment on mindfulness such as deep ...
Hosted by Dean Henry Laviolette
Counsellor, MA, RCC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Nanaimo, BC V9R
Dad's with Compassion is a group that helps dads explore personal values, beliefs, and ethics. Other areas explored include the difference between punishment and discipline, various parenting styles, natural and logical consequences, and a segment on mindfulness such as deep ...
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Skills Training
DBT skills training is a weekly group, run more like a coaching class, which teaches skills across four main areas of wellbeing: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance skills. Clients are required to complete homework assignments in which ...
Hosted by Paula Bude
Counsellor, MEd, RCC-ACS, CCC, CHyp
Verified Verified
Group meets in Surrey, BC V4A
DBT skills training is a weekly group, run more like a coaching class, which teaches skills across four main areas of wellbeing: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance skills. Clients are required to complete homework assignments in which ...
Self-Care Saturday-A Creative Community Gathering
An afternoon of self-care, connection and therapeutic art-making at Soul Flow Therapy in Port Moody. This event is about taking time for yourself, letting your creativity flow and connecting with others in a supportive and inspiring environment. If you're looking ...
Hosted by Bethany MacGillivray
Counsellor, MCP-AT, RCC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Port Moody, BC V3H
An afternoon of self-care, connection and therapeutic art-making at Soul Flow Therapy in Port Moody. This event is about taking time for yourself, letting your creativity flow and connecting with others in a supportive and inspiring environment. If you're looking ...
Live Well DBT Group
This is a 24-week DBT skills group that consists of three 8-week modules: Emotional Regulation, Distress Tolerance and Interpersonal Effectiveness. Each group session includes mindfulness practice, sharing and discussion of participants’ home practice experiences, and the presentation of new skills ...
Hosted by Andrea Harowitz Live Well Dbt Program
Occupational Therapist, BScOT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Vancouver, BC V5T
This is a 24-week DBT skills group that consists of three 8-week modules: Emotional Regulation, Distress Tolerance and Interpersonal Effectiveness. Each group session includes mindfulness practice, sharing and discussion of participants’ home practice experiences, and the presentation of new skills ...
Mindfulness for Health and Wellness
Mindfulness is about learning how to pay attention in the present moment. This 8 week course will teach the skills of meditation, yoga and attitudes to help us learn how to be more fully present in our lives. No longer ...
Hosted by Leslie Ann Haynes-Hodgins
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, RSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Campbell River, BC V9W
Mindfulness is about learning how to pay attention in the present moment. This 8 week course will teach the skills of meditation, yoga and attitudes to help us learn how to be more fully present in our lives. No longer ...
Circle of Security Parenting
Circle of Security 8 week small group Parenting Program designed to help you understand & support your child while helping them become a secure and confident individual.
Circle of Security 8 week small group Parenting Program designed to help you understand & support your child while helping them become a secure and confident individual.
Mental Blocks EMDR Therapy
Are you looking for a place to unpack a painful experience? Trying to make sense of how your upbringing impacted your view of yourself and the world around you? Confused about how people who meant so much to you could ...
Hosted by Mental Blocks EMDR Therapy in French & English
Counsellor, EMDR, Cert, RCC, MA
Verified Verified
Group meets in Victoria, BC V8R
Are you looking for a place to unpack a painful experience? Trying to make sense of how your upbringing impacted your view of yourself and the world around you? Confused about how people who meant so much to you could ...
See more therapy options for British Columbia
FAQs - About Group Therapy and Support Groups
How can I find a support group in British Columbia?
Search for nearby support groups by inputting your city, postal 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 postal 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 counselling is typically less expensive than individual counselling, with each session costing on average about $90 to $100. Meanwhile, individual therapy sessions can run anywhere from $100 to $200. It is possible to find low-cost group therapy options and many therapists offer group sessions free of charge.
Does insurance cover group therapy?
If you have private insurance, your plan may cover some if not all of your group therapy sessions. You should contact your insurance provider to determine if they provide coverage for group therapy sessions and to determine what, if any, requirements they might have in order for your sessions to be covered, such as a referral from your GP or medical specialist.
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.