Group therapy provides a place where you come together with others to share problems or concerns, to better understand your own situation, and to learn from and with each other. You will learn about yourself and improve your relationships with other people. You will gain self-understanding and skills for dealing with your concerns. In a typical 90 minute session, members work to express their own challenges and aspirations, feelings, ideas, and reactions as freely and honestly as possible. Members learn not only to understand themselves and their own issues but also become therapeutic helpers for other group members.

Group therapy provides a place where you come together with others to share problems or concerns, to better understand your own situation, and to learn from and with each other. You will learn about yourself and improve your relationships with other people. You will gain self-understanding and skills for dealing with your concerns. In a typical 90 minute session, members work to express their own challenges and aspirations, feelings, ideas, and reactions as freely and honestly as possible. Members learn not only to understand themselves and their own issues but also become therapeutic helpers for other group members.
Forming a new group please contact me if interested. A process oriented interpersonal group where you can connect more deeply with yourself and others, gain insight and practice new skills in a warm and supportive environment. Includes guided meditation.

Forming a new group please contact me if interested. A process oriented interpersonal group where you can connect more deeply with yourself and others, gain insight and practice new skills in a warm and supportive environment. Includes guided meditation.
Forest Hill Centre's Brave & Balanced: DBT Skills Group for Adolescent Girls is a structured (in person) 10-Week group program starting on Monday January 20, 2025 and focuses on empowering adolescent girls with essential DBT skills to navigate life's challenges. Participants will learn techniques for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and effective communication, fostering resilience and self-assurance. In a safe, supportive environment, they’ll build skills to manage stress, strengthen relationships, and cultivate a balanced mindset.

Forest Hill Centre's Brave & Balanced: DBT Skills Group for Adolescent Girls is a structured (in person) 10-Week group program starting on Monday January 20, 2025 and focuses on empowering adolescent girls with essential DBT skills to navigate life's challenges. Participants will learn techniques for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and effective communication, fostering resilience and self-assurance. In a safe, supportive environment, they’ll build skills to manage stress, strengthen relationships, and cultivate a balanced mindset.
Join us Thursday, November 21 at 12pm ET for a 1-hr free webinar with ANT therapist Kimberley Sanzo (RSW). We’ll learn about nervous system regulation, how Polyvagal Theory can help us understand our bodies' responses to the world around us, and helpful exercises to help soothe our nervous systems in times of stress. Connect with us to sign up.

Hosted by Amanda Neves Therapy & Associates
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Group meets in Toronto, ON M4K
Join us Thursday, November 21 at 12pm ET for a 1-hr free webinar with ANT therapist Kimberley Sanzo (RSW). We’ll learn about nervous system regulation, how Polyvagal Theory can help us understand our bodies' responses to the world around us, and helpful exercises to help soothe our nervous systems in times of stress. Connect with us to sign up.
If you feel lonely even in relationships, struggle with trust or boundaries, or often withdraw from connection, you’re not alone. Relationship Lab is a long-term therapy group where you can explore how you connect, relate, and show up with others. Through real-time interactions, you’ll gain insight into your patterns, build emotional resilience, and grow relational skills in a supportive environment. Starts Sept/Oct 2025. Meets every other week for 3 hours (9-month commitment). 7–10 participants. $250/month. In-person. Contact me for more information.

If you feel lonely even in relationships, struggle with trust or boundaries, or often withdraw from connection, you’re not alone. Relationship Lab is a long-term therapy group where you can explore how you connect, relate, and show up with others. Through real-time interactions, you’ll gain insight into your patterns, build emotional resilience, and grow relational skills in a supportive environment. Starts Sept/Oct 2025. Meets every other week for 3 hours (9-month commitment). 7–10 participants. $250/month. In-person. Contact me for more information.
Forest Hill Centre's Brave & Balanced: DBT Skills Group for Adolescent Girls is a structured (in person) 10-Week group program begins Monday January 20, 2025 and focuses on empowering adolescent girls with essential DBT skills to navigate life's challenges. Participants will learn techniques for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and effective communication, fostering resilience and self-assurance. In a safe, supportive environment, they’ll build skills to manage stress, strengthen relationships, and cultivate a balanced mindset.

Forest Hill Centre's Brave & Balanced: DBT Skills Group for Adolescent Girls is a structured (in person) 10-Week group program begins Monday January 20, 2025 and focuses on empowering adolescent girls with essential DBT skills to navigate life's challenges. Participants will learn techniques for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and effective communication, fostering resilience and self-assurance. In a safe, supportive environment, they’ll build skills to manage stress, strengthen relationships, and cultivate a balanced mindset.
Runs Apr 16 to June 25/25. This series is structured around Joanna Macy’s Work That Reconnects. See her co-authored books: Active Hope, and Coming Back to Life. Content is combined with a deep understanding of group psychotherapeutic principles and land-based healing practices. Participants will focus on what matters most to them. We will connect with our inner self, with other group members, and with the greater natural world. A goal is to develop a deeper sense of community. Email: info@psychiatree.ca to set a time to meet with the facilitators Gwen and Nate.

I work with clients on relationship issues, anxiety, depression, aging, and workplace difficulties (including career/direction).
Runs Apr 16 to June 25/25. This series is structured around Joanna Macy’s Work That Reconnects. See her co-authored books: Active Hope, and Coming Back to Life. Content is combined with a deep understanding of group psychotherapeutic principles and land-based healing practices. Participants will focus on what matters most to them. We will connect with our inner self, with other group members, and with the greater natural world. A goal is to develop a deeper sense of community. Email: info@psychiatree.ca to set a time to meet with the facilitators Gwen and Nate.
Use poetry, prose, and journalling to support our mental health through a 4-week mindfulness workshop. Learn mindful strategies while we explore our thoughts and emotions within our writing, and new writing exercises. Sharing our writing is optional, you do not need to be a writer, those who are curious and wish to explore are welcome! Please come and join us either online (Tuesdays) or in person (Wednesdays) starting on September 24 and 25, 2024. 4-week workshops, 1 day per week, evenings. Please contact edna@aboutmind.ca for more information.

Use poetry, prose, and journalling to support our mental health through a 4-week mindfulness workshop. Learn mindful strategies while we explore our thoughts and emotions within our writing, and new writing exercises. Sharing our writing is optional, you do not need to be a writer, those who are curious and wish to explore are welcome! Please come and join us either online (Tuesdays) or in person (Wednesdays) starting on September 24 and 25, 2024. 4-week workshops, 1 day per week, evenings. Please contact edna@aboutmind.ca for more information.
I run a psychodynamic psychotherapy group for adults together with my partner, Susan Chernin. The group meets weekly for 10 months with 3 extended sessions during the year. The annual cost is $2500. Interested persons are invited to meet for a free consultation to find out more about us and our approach.

I run a psychodynamic psychotherapy group for adults together with my partner, Susan Chernin. The group meets weekly for 10 months with 3 extended sessions during the year. The annual cost is $2500. Interested persons are invited to meet for a free consultation to find out more about us and our approach.
**Group held Online** The group focuses on young adults with challenging family dynamics, with a particular focus on first- and second-generation immigrants of East Asian backgrounds. In therapy, we on developing insight, improving confidence, and building resiliency.

**Group held Online** The group focuses on young adults with challenging family dynamics, with a particular focus on first- and second-generation immigrants of East Asian backgrounds. In therapy, we on developing insight, improving confidence, and building resiliency.
Welcome to Mom Counseling Group! This supportive community is designed for new mothers navigating the challenges and joys of motherhood. Our group provides a safe space to share experiences, seek advice, and connect with others who understand the unique journey of being a new mom. Join us for empathetic discussions, shared resources, and the opportunity to form lasting friendships. Together, we can celebrate the beautiful adventure of motherhood!

Hosted by Ekta Abhay Lather
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MACP
Group meets in Toronto, ON M6C
I work with clients who are on a journey through the challenges of depression and trauma related to relationships, family, or illness.
Welcome to Mom Counseling Group! This supportive community is designed for new mothers navigating the challenges and joys of motherhood. Our group provides a safe space to share experiences, seek advice, and connect with others who understand the unique journey of being a new mom. Join us for empathetic discussions, shared resources, and the opportunity to form lasting friendships. Together, we can celebrate the beautiful adventure of motherhood!
DBT Virtual's online 12-week group program is designed to provide you with effective, practical coping strategies to regulate intense emotions and replace unhealthy, problematic behaviours. You will learn DBT skills aimed at managing emotional and interpersonal difficulties, including mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. Group members are expected to complete weekly homework tasks that help them solidify their skills practice. Adult and adolescent groups available. To register contact us or visit www.dbtvirtual.com/dbt-skills-group. Sliding scale rates available upon request for those in financial need.

Hosted by DBT Virtual - DBT Program in ON, BC, AB & NS
Registered Social Worker, MSW
Group meets in Toronto, ON M4W
DBT Virtual's online 12-week group program is designed to provide you with effective, practical coping strategies to regulate intense emotions and replace unhealthy, problematic behaviours. You will learn DBT skills aimed at managing emotional and interpersonal difficulties, including mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. Group members are expected to complete weekly homework tasks that help them solidify their skills practice. Adult and adolescent groups available. To register contact us or visit www.dbtvirtual.com/dbt-skills-group. Sliding scale rates available upon request for those in financial need.
Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness and Mindfulness skills are taught in the 24-week group. Why would we spend time to learn about skills we may not use? Think of it like cooking. If we only know how to make eggs that may work for some time. If we are hosting someone who doesn't eat eggs, we may need to read some recipe's and practice making other meals before they come over. That's like skills group! We are giving you the recipe for the skills so you can practice and see which ones work for you!

Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness and Mindfulness skills are taught in the 24-week group. Why would we spend time to learn about skills we may not use? Think of it like cooking. If we only know how to make eggs that may work for some time. If we are hosting someone who doesn't eat eggs, we may need to read some recipe's and practice making other meals before they come over. That's like skills group! We are giving you the recipe for the skills so you can practice and see which ones work for you!
This Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) group is an 6-week group program that provides an introduction to a number of mindfulness meditation practices, including sitting meditation and movement practices (ex. gentle stretching) as a way to manage stress, anxiety and prevent relapse of depression episodes. The program weekly 2.5-hour group meetings, one 6-hour weekend retreat and committing to daily 20-45 min home practice for the duration of the course. This program is led by a qualified a MBSR instructor. Insurance receipts provided. Join the waitlist at www.backtothebreath.ca.

I work with clients who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and cancer-related concerns.
This Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) group is an 6-week group program that provides an introduction to a number of mindfulness meditation practices, including sitting meditation and movement practices (ex. gentle stretching) as a way to manage stress, anxiety and prevent relapse of depression episodes. The program weekly 2.5-hour group meetings, one 6-hour weekend retreat and committing to daily 20-45 min home practice for the duration of the course. This program is led by a qualified a MBSR instructor. Insurance receipts provided. Join the waitlist at www.backtothebreath.ca.
MBCT Group Therapy is an 8-week program that combines meditation with psychotherapy to help you effectively manage depression, anxiety, stress and other issues. The goal of the course is to teach participants new ways to deal with thoughts and feelings so that they can feel happier and more in control. Groups are small (8-10 people) and include one-on-one sessions with the facilitator before and after the group. (Groups run Thursdays 5-7; and Saturdays 11-1:00.) For more information, please visit https://www.themindfulnessclinic.ca/

MBCT Group Therapy is an 8-week program that combines meditation with psychotherapy to help you effectively manage depression, anxiety, stress and other issues. The goal of the course is to teach participants new ways to deal with thoughts and feelings so that they can feel happier and more in control. Groups are small (8-10 people) and include one-on-one sessions with the facilitator before and after the group. (Groups run Thursdays 5-7; and Saturdays 11-1:00.) For more information, please visit https://www.themindfulnessclinic.ca/
Learn the life-changing skills to increase your awareness, to understand and better regulate your emotions, to have better relationships, and to tolerate destructive urges. The group also provides a space for making new connections in a social context. Group leaders provide compassion and empathy while also challenging you to replace self-defeating beliefs, behaviours and emotions for more positive and productive ones, and ultimately achieve life goals. DBT skills are each taught in 5 week modules: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation and Interpersonal Effectiveness.

I work with clients who are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma and relationship issues.
Learn the life-changing skills to increase your awareness, to understand and better regulate your emotions, to have better relationships, and to tolerate destructive urges. The group also provides a space for making new connections in a social context. Group leaders provide compassion and empathy while also challenging you to replace self-defeating beliefs, behaviours and emotions for more positive and productive ones, and ultimately achieve life goals. DBT skills are each taught in 5 week modules: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation and Interpersonal Effectiveness.
Join this exciting new group to understand more about your attachment style and how it impacts the quality of your relationship, emotional intimacy, and how you deal with conflict. Being with a securely attached partner can positively impact your quality of life, and decrease your own insecure attachment patterns from causing further depression and anxiety and other distress. This is a safe space where all are welcome.

Hosted by Cherish's Oasis Counselling
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW, RP
Group meets in Toronto, ON M4S
I work with clients who struggle with depression or anxiety related to their relationships or life transitions.
Join this exciting new group to understand more about your attachment style and how it impacts the quality of your relationship, emotional intimacy, and how you deal with conflict. Being with a securely attached partner can positively impact your quality of life, and decrease your own insecure attachment patterns from causing further depression and anxiety and other distress. This is a safe space where all are welcome.
For occupational therapists who are earlier in their career or new to mental health and psychotherapy, I provide online small group supervision 1-2 times/month depending on the needs of the group.

My clients include individuals with concerns associated with trauma, dissociative disorders, sleep issues, anxiety, depression and ADHD.
For occupational therapists who are earlier in their career or new to mental health and psychotherapy, I provide online small group supervision 1-2 times/month depending on the needs of the group.
This group involves adolescences and a support person (often someone in the caregiving role). It is 24 weeks long and goes through the comprehensive DBT skills. This is not group therapy! It's more of a class structure with the DBT therapist teaching the group how to use a skill and this being assigned for practice over the week. The goal is to help you with new strategies and behaviours to tolerate distress, regulate painful and intense emotions, increase awareness of thoughts and emotions, and to maintain and improve relationships.

This group involves adolescences and a support person (often someone in the caregiving role). It is 24 weeks long and goes through the comprehensive DBT skills. This is not group therapy! It's more of a class structure with the DBT therapist teaching the group how to use a skill and this being assigned for practice over the week. The goal is to help you with new strategies and behaviours to tolerate distress, regulate painful and intense emotions, increase awareness of thoughts and emotions, and to maintain and improve relationships.
DBT Virtual's online 12-week group program is designed to teach adolescents (ages 14-17) and parents/guardians effective, practical coping strategies to regulate intense emotions and replace unhealthy, problematic behaviours. You will learn DBT skills to manage emotional and interpersonal difficulties, including mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. Our program involves educating adolescents and caregivers on coping skills to assist the adolescent in using their skills and promote best outcomes in their therapy. To register contact us or visit www.dbtvirtual.com/dbt-skills-group. Sliding scale rates available upon request for those in financial need.

Hosted by DBT Virtual - DBT Program in ON, BC, AB & NS
Registered Social Worker, MSW
Group meets in Toronto, ON M4S
DBT Virtual's online 12-week group program is designed to teach adolescents (ages 14-17) and parents/guardians effective, practical coping strategies to regulate intense emotions and replace unhealthy, problematic behaviours. You will learn DBT skills to manage emotional and interpersonal difficulties, including mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. Our program involves educating adolescents and caregivers on coping skills to assist the adolescent in using their skills and promote best outcomes in their therapy. To register contact us or visit www.dbtvirtual.com/dbt-skills-group. Sliding scale rates available upon request for those in financial need.
See more therapy options for Toronto
Depression Support Groups
What is the goal of therapy for depression?
Therapy for depression has several major goals. One is to relieve the mental pain of depression, which distorts feeling and thinking so that sufferers cannot see beyond their current state of mind or envision feeling better. Another is to give people the mental tools to recognise and correct the kinds of distorted thinking that turn a problem into a catastrophe and lead to despair. Therapy also teaches people how to process negative emotions in constructive ways, so they have more control over their own emotional reactivity. And it helps people regain the ability to see themselves positively, the motivation to do things, and the capacity for pleasure.
What happens in therapy for depression?
Perhaps most important, no matter the type of therapy, patients form an alliance with the therapist; that connection is therapeutic in itself, plus it becomes an instrument of change. Patients learn to identify and to challenge their own erroneous beliefs and thoughts that amplify the effects of negative experiences. They learn to identify situations in which they are especially vulnerable. And they learn new patterns of thinking and behaving. They may be given “homework” assignments in which they practice their developing skills. In addition, good therapists regularly monitor patients to assess whether and how much the condition is improving.
What therapy types help with depression?
Several types of short-term therapy have been found effective, each targeting one or more areas of dysfunction. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helps clients challenge their negative thoughts and beliefs, learn new behavioral strategies, and curb reactivity to distressing situations. Behavioural activation (BA) is a form of therapy often used in conjunction with CBT; it focuses on engagement in rewarding activity as a pathway to changing negative feelings and disturbed mood. Another widely used approach is interpersonal therapy (IPT), which targets the social difficulties that both give rise to and get exacerbated by depression. Therapists may combine approaches as needed.
Can therapy for depression be done online?
Studies have found that online therapy can be highly effective for treating depression, although it may be more challenging to build a good therapist-patient alliance on screen than in person—at least at first. However, online therapy can offer considerable advantages. Accessibility and convenience are tops among them. Some people actually find it easier to talk about problems online than in person. While online therapy typically limits visibility of facial expression and body gestures that give important nonverbal cues to a patient’s state of mind, it can give therapists a glimpse into a patient’s world and life, providing information that can be highly useful in guiding therapy.
How effective is therapy for depression?
Many studies show that therapy is highly effective provided that patients complete the prescribed course of therapy, commonly 16 to 20 sessions. Over the long term, it is more effective than medication and the effects are more enduring. As a result, psychotherapy has the power not just to relieve current suffering but to prevent future episodes of the disorder. Therapy reverses the dysfunction in neural circuitry that disposes individuals to a negative view of themselves, the world, and their future and they acquire coping techniques, problem-solving skills, and understanding of their own vulnerabilities that are useful over the course of a lifetime.