Support Groups in 01845
The SoSo Group was created for individuals that struggle with social anxiety, loneliness, depression, and social interaction. This group meets in a safe location where individuals play games, talk, share stories and tales, while sitting with a cozy lit fireplace and listening to music from 60's-90's. Together we discuss coping skills and strategies to assists symptoms that cause distress. Each week psychoeducation is provided to learn why we do as we do. There is so much more to this group! This is a great opportunity to meet people that are safe while walking your same walk.

Hosted by Bette Jo A. Toppin
Counselor, MEd, LMHC, CCHT, EMDR, MCCS
Group meets in North Andover, MA 01845
The SoSo Group was created for individuals that struggle with social anxiety, loneliness, depression, and social interaction. This group meets in a safe location where individuals play games, talk, share stories and tales, while sitting with a cozy lit fireplace and listening to music from 60's-90's. Together we discuss coping skills and strategies to assists symptoms that cause distress. Each week psychoeducation is provided to learn why we do as we do. There is so much more to this group! This is a great opportunity to meet people that are safe while walking your same walk.
This group helps teens develop tools to increase self awareness, cope with anxiety, improve relaionships, shift their behavior and navigate social settings.

This group helps teens develop tools to increase self awareness, cope with anxiety, improve relaionships, shift their behavior and navigate social settings.
LMHC, breast cancer survivor Welcoming all women with breast cancer diagnoses: Recently diagnosed , in active treatment, having completed treatment 6 week group: Reactions to diagnosis Feelings of loss in independence Feelings about our medical team Dealing with side effects Navigating relationships Preparing for life after treatment Virtual-During the midst of attending medical appointments, it can feel daunting to tend to mental health. Let’s break this barrier together!

LMHC, breast cancer survivor Welcoming all women with breast cancer diagnoses: Recently diagnosed , in active treatment, having completed treatment 6 week group: Reactions to diagnosis Feelings of loss in independence Feelings about our medical team Dealing with side effects Navigating relationships Preparing for life after treatment Virtual-During the midst of attending medical appointments, it can feel daunting to tend to mental health. Let’s break this barrier together!
Two Parent Support Groups will be offered each Wednesday beginning July 10th for parents of children who have been diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. These groups will be a place for parents to come together in a safe environment to connect and discuss the daily challenges associated with raising and supporting neurodivergent children & young adults, process those challenges with others facing similar situations & share thoughts and ideas that have worked for them. These groups will be led by a clincician with a background in counseling and Special Education as well as experience with multiple mental health diagnoses including anxiety, PTSD, ADHD and mood disorders.

Hosted by North Andover Counseling Professionals
Counselor, LMHC, LCMHC, LPC
Group meets in North Andover, MA 01845
Two Parent Support Groups will be offered each Wednesday beginning July 10th for parents of children who have been diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. These groups will be a place for parents to come together in a safe environment to connect and discuss the daily challenges associated with raising and supporting neurodivergent children & young adults, process those challenges with others facing similar situations & share thoughts and ideas that have worked for them. These groups will be led by a clincician with a background in counseling and Special Education as well as experience with multiple mental health diagnoses including anxiety, PTSD, ADHD and mood disorders.
Support groups provide an ideal space to, both learn from and help others who are going through similar struggles. Additionally, the OCD support group provides educational components focused on aspects related to OCD treatment. Examples of the topics include: cognitive reframing versus reassurance, perfectionism, thought defusion, and mastering the skill of developing exposures. The goal of the group is to provide an informative, compassionate, and collaborative space to assist individuals with OCD. The group is currently being held virtually via Zoom.

Support groups provide an ideal space to, both learn from and help others who are going through similar struggles. Additionally, the OCD support group provides educational components focused on aspects related to OCD treatment. Examples of the topics include: cognitive reframing versus reassurance, perfectionism, thought defusion, and mastering the skill of developing exposures. The goal of the group is to provide an informative, compassionate, and collaborative space to assist individuals with OCD. The group is currently being held virtually via Zoom.
Are you struggling with your child's behavior? Feeling lost and defeated? Take your power back as parents and learn effective parenting styles, communication skills, and ways to improve your family system. Gain support from other parents on this 6 week VIRTUAL group, held twice weekly: Wednesdays 12:00-1:00pm and Thursdays 6:00-7:00pm. You will leave feeling empowered with knowledge, and a toolbox of worksheets and parenting resources to guide you after the group ends. And if you desire one on one help, I offer individual sessions as well.

Are you struggling with your child's behavior? Feeling lost and defeated? Take your power back as parents and learn effective parenting styles, communication skills, and ways to improve your family system. Gain support from other parents on this 6 week VIRTUAL group, held twice weekly: Wednesdays 12:00-1:00pm and Thursdays 6:00-7:00pm. You will leave feeling empowered with knowledge, and a toolbox of worksheets and parenting resources to guide you after the group ends. And if you desire one on one help, I offer individual sessions as well.
Our in person group focuses on helping children ages 7-12 gain coping strategies by building their own "Coping Toolbox." Each week your child will create a new "tool" to add to their Toolbox. At the end of the 6 weeks, your child will have their very own "Toolbox" they can take home and new tools they can utilize when feeling overwhelmed. The last ten minutes of each group session will include check-ins with supporting adults to review the tools created that week and how to utilize it to support your child.

Hosted by North Andover Counseling Professionals
Counselor, LMHC, LCMHC, LPC
Group meets in North Andover, MA 01845
Our in person group focuses on helping children ages 7-12 gain coping strategies by building their own "Coping Toolbox." Each week your child will create a new "tool" to add to their Toolbox. At the end of the 6 weeks, your child will have their very own "Toolbox" they can take home and new tools they can utilize when feeling overwhelmed. The last ten minutes of each group session will include check-ins with supporting adults to review the tools created that week and how to utilize it to support your child.
Join us for 6 weeks of self-expression using a variety of art media! Art Therapy fosters self-esteem and self-awareness, improves cognitive and sensorimotor functions, enhances social skills, reduces conflicts and distress and cultivates emotional resilience.

Hosted by North Andover Counseling Professionals
Counselor, LMHC, LCMHC, LPC
Group meets in North Andover, MA 01845
Join us for 6 weeks of self-expression using a variety of art media! Art Therapy fosters self-esteem and self-awareness, improves cognitive and sensorimotor functions, enhances social skills, reduces conflicts and distress and cultivates emotional resilience.

More Groups Nearby
If you love someone with Bipolar, you might feel overwhelmed: You’re struggling with stuff that’s way beyond your control. But we are here–for you–others going through the same thing, and professionals who care and can help. In service to you, I'm eager to share what I know, and what I deeply feel. In my online workshop, I can offer you… A chance to share and connect with others; a way to understand Bipolar and its treatment options; and strategies to help, to set loving limits, and–above all–to take care of yourself!

Hosted by OCD Specialist, Shane MacDonald, LICSW
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW
Group meets in Methuen, MA 01844
If you love someone with Bipolar, you might feel overwhelmed: You’re struggling with stuff that’s way beyond your control. But we are here–for you–others going through the same thing, and professionals who care and can help. In service to you, I'm eager to share what I know, and what I deeply feel. In my online workshop, I can offer you… A chance to share and connect with others; a way to understand Bipolar and its treatment options; and strategies to help, to set loving limits, and–above all–to take care of yourself!
We are a group of men meeting 2 hours each week on Wednesday evening. We are practicing relating to each other from a "Self-led" place which means that we speak "for" parts of ourselves that might be wounded rather than "from" parts which may have been causing others some degree of suffering. This allows for pain and shame to be expressed in a way that allows others to feel Compassion rather than defensiveness.

We are a group of men meeting 2 hours each week on Wednesday evening. We are practicing relating to each other from a "Self-led" place which means that we speak "for" parts of ourselves that might be wounded rather than "from" parts which may have been causing others some degree of suffering. This allows for pain and shame to be expressed in a way that allows others to feel Compassion rather than defensiveness.
Change how you feel by changing the way you think! In these workshops, you'll learn effective SELF-help strategies to FEEL BETTER, and DO better in your life!

Hosted by New Inspiration Counseling
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW, EdS, MSW
Group meets in Winchester, MA 01890
Change how you feel by changing the way you think! In these workshops, you'll learn effective SELF-help strategies to FEEL BETTER, and DO better in your life!
Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT) is a type of therapy that was developed by Dr. Thomas Lynch to treat individuals who struggle with emotional over-control, as opposed to the emotional dysregulation that is typically treated with traditional DBT. Core tenants include: Social Signaling and Communication, Emotional Expression and Vulnerability, Flexibility vs. Rigidity, and Engagement with Uncertainty. Reach out to me for more information!

Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT) is a type of therapy that was developed by Dr. Thomas Lynch to treat individuals who struggle with emotional over-control, as opposed to the emotional dysregulation that is typically treated with traditional DBT. Core tenants include: Social Signaling and Communication, Emotional Expression and Vulnerability, Flexibility vs. Rigidity, and Engagement with Uncertainty. Reach out to me for more information!
My aim is to support you in developing personalized coping strategies to achieve your ideal self. By addressing mental health challenges and their impact on your overall life, I seek to create a safe environment where reflect and perspective shifts can help you thrive in various situations.

My aim is to support you in developing personalized coping strategies to achieve your ideal self. By addressing mental health challenges and their impact on your overall life, I seek to create a safe environment where reflect and perspective shifts can help you thrive in various situations.
This group is a small, supportive group for daughters of immigrants who’ve done deep work in therapy but are still holding a lot and wanting a space to reflect and be supported. We’ll focus on how to regulate your emotions, set boundaries, and build self trust, even when different parts of your life or culture pull you in different directions. The group meets once a week for 6 weeks. Each session is one hour long and costs $40. Please reach out if you'd like to learn more or see if it's a good fit!

This group is a small, supportive group for daughters of immigrants who’ve done deep work in therapy but are still holding a lot and wanting a space to reflect and be supported. We’ll focus on how to regulate your emotions, set boundaries, and build self trust, even when different parts of your life or culture pull you in different directions. The group meets once a week for 6 weeks. Each session is one hour long and costs $40. Please reach out if you'd like to learn more or see if it's a good fit!
<Held virtually via Zoom!> This group is comprised of individuals in early and long-term recovery form substance abuse. Individuals must be motivated and active in their recovery to join this group to maintain the healthy and goal-oriented atmosphere. To be admitted, individuals must complete an assessment and demonstrate a commitment to the recovery process.

<Held virtually via Zoom!> This group is comprised of individuals in early and long-term recovery form substance abuse. Individuals must be motivated and active in their recovery to join this group to maintain the healthy and goal-oriented atmosphere. To be admitted, individuals must complete an assessment and demonstrate a commitment to the recovery process.
Are you stressed from navigating academia? Ambitious but want to preserve quality of life? Looking for a safe space confidential from other students in your department or program? Consider joining this telepsychiatry support group that meets every 2 weeks.

Are you stressed from navigating academia? Ambitious but want to preserve quality of life? Looking for a safe space confidential from other students in your department or program? Consider joining this telepsychiatry support group that meets every 2 weeks.
This 8 week, in-person, supportive social skills group offers pre-tweens and tweens the opportunity to learn conversation, friendship, and social problem-solving skills, as well as effective strategies for managing and tolerating anxiety in social settings. Participants will explore the anxious brain and its impact on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; practice specific breathing, mindfulness, and guided meditation techniques; and use targeted exposure to improve one's ability to manage and tolerate anxiety, fear, embarrassment, and avoidance in social situations and increase social participation, confidence, assertiveness, and conversation skills. Initial, individual meeting required to determine goodness of fit and identify individual areas of need.

This 8 week, in-person, supportive social skills group offers pre-tweens and tweens the opportunity to learn conversation, friendship, and social problem-solving skills, as well as effective strategies for managing and tolerating anxiety in social settings. Participants will explore the anxious brain and its impact on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; practice specific breathing, mindfulness, and guided meditation techniques; and use targeted exposure to improve one's ability to manage and tolerate anxiety, fear, embarrassment, and avoidance in social situations and increase social participation, confidence, assertiveness, and conversation skills. Initial, individual meeting required to determine goodness of fit and identify individual areas of need.
The Middle School Anger Management Group is designed to prevent younger adolescents from escalating to higher levels of interpersonal conflict within their home, school, and larger community settings. Members are more likely to have social skill challenges and commonly struggle in their school placements. Most members have identified learning challenges that have been exacerbated during the transition to a complex middle school learning environment. Group time is generally focused more on activities and cooperative group interactions.

The Middle School Anger Management Group is designed to prevent younger adolescents from escalating to higher levels of interpersonal conflict within their home, school, and larger community settings. Members are more likely to have social skill challenges and commonly struggle in their school placements. Most members have identified learning challenges that have been exacerbated during the transition to a complex middle school learning environment. Group time is generally focused more on activities and cooperative group interactions.
I am currently enrolling women who are struggling with fertility issues to come together for mutual support and empowerment.

Hosted by Deborah Goldberg McCarthy
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LICSW
Group meets in Wayland, MA 01778
I am currently enrolling women who are struggling with fertility issues to come together for mutual support and empowerment.
See more therapy options for 01845
FAQs - About Group Therapy and Support Groups
How can I find a support group in 01845?
To find a support group in your area, start by entering your city, zip code, or the name of the group into the search bar at the top of the page. When searching, consider whether you prefer an in-person or virtual group. This can help you decide how broad your geographic search should be. If you are open to virtual groups, you might want to search by state instead of just your city, especially if there are limited options nearby.
Once you complete your search, you can use the filters to narrow the results by selecting specialties (such as grief, trauma, or eating disorders), therapeutic approaches, age groups, and other criteria to find a group that best fits your needs.
Once you complete your search, you can use the filters to narrow the results by selecting specialties (such as grief, trauma, or eating disorders), therapeutic approaches, age groups, and other criteria to find a group that best fits your needs.
How does group therapy work?
Group therapy is led by one or more trained therapists and provides a space where participants can process their experiences and learn from others facing similar challenges. Groups may focus on a specific issue—such as addiction, grief, physical illnesses, parenting, or caregiving—or they may center around a particular therapeutic approach, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), social skill development, or Exposure Therapy. Some groups are also designed for specific populations, such as teens, veterans, or LGBTQ+ individuals.
It’s also important to distinguish group therapy from peer-led support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous. While both can offer valuable support, therapy groups are typically led by licensed professionals and follow a more structured format. Therapy groups often meet for a fixed length of time with a consistent group of members, while many peer support groups meet for an indefinite period of time with members coming and going.
It’s also important to distinguish group therapy from peer-led support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous. While both can offer valuable support, therapy groups are typically led by licensed professionals and follow a more structured format. Therapy groups often meet for a fixed length of time with a consistent group of members, while many peer support groups meet for an indefinite period of time with members coming and going.
What are the benefits of group therapy?
Group therapy offers several important benefits. It brings together people facing similar challenges—whether related to mental health, physical health, or life transitions—and creates a supportive environment where participants can exchange feedback, share experiences, and learn from one another. Hearing different perspectives can help individuals discover new coping strategies and practical tools they may not have encountered on their own. Sharing personal experiences, such as coping with a serious illness or navigating family struggles, can also reduce feelings of isolation and foster a sense of connection and understanding. In addition to emotional support, group members often gain useful, real-world advice from peers who have faced similar situations.
Group therapy is typically more affordable than individual therapy and, for certain conditions, can be equally effective. Many groups also include structured activities—such as guided journaling, cognitive-behavioral exercises, or role-playing—to help participants develop concrete skills they can apply in daily life.
Group therapy is typically more affordable than individual therapy and, for certain conditions, can be equally effective. Many groups also include structured activities—such as guided journaling, cognitive-behavioral exercises, or role-playing—to help participants develop concrete skills they can apply in daily life.
Is group therapy as effective as individual therapy?
It is difficult to make a blanket statement about the effectiveness of support groups, as they vary widely in focus and the conditions they address. However, support groups can be highly valuable in helping individuals gain emotional support and achieve meaningful treatment outcomes. For certain conditions, such as substance use, research has shown that group therapy can be particularly effective—sometimes just as effective as individual therapy—in supporting long-term recovery.
Many professionals attribute the effectiveness of group therapy to the unique benefits of the group setting, which fosters peer-to-peer learning and a sense of connection through shared experiences. Group settings also offer accountability and encouragement from both facilitators and fellow participants, which helps sustain motivation and supports continued progress. These factors together play a key role in promoting the overall effectiveness of group therapy.
Many professionals attribute the effectiveness of group therapy to the unique benefits of the group setting, which fosters peer-to-peer learning and a sense of connection through shared experiences. Group settings also offer accountability and encouragement from both facilitators and fellow participants, which helps sustain motivation and supports continued progress. These factors together play a key role in promoting the overall effectiveness of group therapy.
How much does group therapy cost?
Group therapy is typically less expensive than individual therapy, with sessions typically costing between $50 and $75 each. In comparison, individual therapy can cost anywhere from $100 to $200 or more per session, even with insurance. Some therapists or organizations offer low-cost or free group therapy options, particularly through community centers or nonprofit organizations. In some cases, groups may require payment upfront for a set number of sessions, such as paying for six weekly sessions at the first meeting. However, many providers offer payment plans to help make participation more accessible if this upfront payment is required.
Does insurance cover group therapy?
As with individual therapy, insurance coverage for group therapy varies based on factors such as your specific insurance plan, the purpose of the group, your diagnosis, and whether the group provider is in-network. Many insurance plans cover group therapy sessions that address diagnosable mental health conditions, such as substance use disorders, anxiety, or depression.
However, groups that focus on topics not directly tied to a mental health diagnosis—such as parenting support or divorce recovery—are less likely to be covered. Because coverage can vary widely, it’s important to check with your insurance provider before joining a group to confirm whether the sessions will be covered and what out-of-pocket costs you may be responsible for.
However, groups that focus on topics not directly tied to a mental health diagnosis—such as parenting support or divorce recovery—are less likely to be covered. Because coverage can vary widely, it’s important to check with your insurance provider before joining a group to confirm whether the sessions will be covered and what out-of-pocket costs you may be responsible for.
How long does group therapy last?
The length of each group therapy session typically ranges from 45 minutes to two hours, depending on the therapy approach, the group’s goals, and how often the group meets. In some cases, group therapy is part of a larger treatment program, such as an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), where group sessions complement individual therapy and are scheduled as part of the program’s overall structure.
The duration of participation in a group also varies. Some groups are designed to be short-term, lasting anywhere from 6 to 24 weeks—for example, bereavement groups or skills-based groups like those using Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Other groups may be longer-term, lasting a year or more, and some ongoing support groups meet indefinitely, allowing participants to stay as long as they find the group helpful.
The duration of participation in a group also varies. Some groups are designed to be short-term, lasting anywhere from 6 to 24 weeks—for example, bereavement groups or skills-based groups like those using Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Other groups may be longer-term, lasting a year or more, and some ongoing support groups meet indefinitely, allowing participants to stay as long as they find the group helpful.
What are the limitations of support groups?
Support groups offer many benefits, but they also have certain limitations. Unlike therapy groups, many support groups do not provide formal therapeutic treatment and are not led by licensed mental health professionals. For individuals seeking clinical treatment for specific mental health diagnoses—such as depression, eating disorders, or substance use—individual therapy or group therapy led by a licensed professional may offer more personalized and specialized care.
The effectiveness of a support group also depends heavily on the group’s participants and the overall group dynamic. When members engage respectfully and offer constructive support, the group can foster valuable peer-to-peer learning. However, if certain participants dominate discussions, provide inaccurate advice, or create conflict, it can disrupt the group’s sense of safety and reduce its effectiveness. Confidentiality can also be harder to maintain in support groups, particularly in open groups where participants can join or leave at any time. With new members regularly entering the group, it can be more difficult to build and sustain a consistent sense of trust and privacy.
The effectiveness of a support group also depends heavily on the group’s participants and the overall group dynamic. When members engage respectfully and offer constructive support, the group can foster valuable peer-to-peer learning. However, if certain participants dominate discussions, provide inaccurate advice, or create conflict, it can disrupt the group’s sense of safety and reduce its effectiveness. Confidentiality can also be harder to maintain in support groups, particularly in open groups where participants can join or leave at any time. With new members regularly entering the group, it can be more difficult to build and sustain a consistent sense of trust and privacy.