Support Groups in Santa Monica, CA
PEERS® social skills group for teens
This is a 14 week evidenced based group developed by researchers at UCLA. Groups are for teens and their parents and run concurrently. The focus is to help teens make and keep friends. Topics include: conversational skills, how to deal ...
Hosted by Alison Meredith Greiner
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90403
This is a 14 week evidenced based group developed by researchers at UCLA. Groups are for teens and their parents and run concurrently. The focus is to help teens make and keep friends. Topics include: conversational skills, how to deal ...
Mindfulness based eating disorder support group
Eating disorder/disordered eating group using mindfulness skills and tools to help clients cope with their eating/body image issues. The group is in its 10th year and offers a safe non-shaming environment. We structure our group with education-skill learning, process/sharing time, ...
Hosted by Pam Siegel
Marriage & Family Therapist, MPH, MFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90401
Eating disorder/disordered eating group using mindfulness skills and tools to help clients cope with their eating/body image issues. The group is in its 10th year and offers a safe non-shaming environment. We structure our group with education-skill learning, process/sharing time, ...
Long-Term or Recent Experience of Loss
For individuals who have lost an intimate other over the span of years and would like to participate in a group process of exploration and connection. Group, meeting once weekly for 1 hr. and 15 mins., will have up to ...
Hosted by Marilyn McCabe Seeman
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90405
For individuals who have lost an intimate other over the span of years and would like to participate in a group process of exploration and connection. Group, meeting once weekly for 1 hr. and 15 mins., will have up to ...
Interpersonal co-ed group
Group therapy is a very powerful venue for self exploration and provides speedy results. In a safe, confidential and supportive setting every individual's uniqueness emerges as the social interpersonal and emotional issues are explored.
By participating,(max. 8 men and women), the ...
Hosted by Monica Farassat, Psy.D.
Marriage & Family Therapist, PsyD, LMFT, CGP
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90403
Group therapy is a very powerful venue for self exploration and provides speedy results. In a safe, confidential and supportive setting every individual's uniqueness emerges as the social interpersonal and emotional issues are explored.
By participating,(max. 8 men and women), the ...
Explore Inside-Insight Through Art Therapy
Experiential Art Therapy group developed to increase insight and emotional well being
Hosted by Beth Rosenblatt
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, ATR, MBA
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90405
Experiential Art Therapy group developed to increase insight and emotional well being
Tuesday Evening 7:30pm Mixed Adult Process Group
Hosted by Lisa S. Powell
Psychologist, PhD, CGP, EMDRIA, Cert
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90403
Anxiety Group
Coping skills and mindfulness CBT group to better manage anxiety including panic attacks, ocd and social anxiety
Hosted by Teal Foster
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90401
Coping skills and mindfulness CBT group to better manage anxiety including panic attacks, ocd and social anxiety
Parenting Skills Education Series
"Parenting Skills Education Series" is a 4-week, virtual, 6-member group led by Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Mary L. Williams. that helps group members identify family strengths and challenges; learn effective communication skills; develop tools that can help parents and ...
Hosted by Mary Linda Williams
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90401
"Parenting Skills Education Series" is a 4-week, virtual, 6-member group led by Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Mary L. Williams. that helps group members identify family strengths and challenges; learn effective communication skills; develop tools that can help parents and ...
Healthcare Professionals Group
These PHP-type groups are for doctoral level licensed healthcare professionals, residents, and medical students. Support and professional monitoring services may be included.
Hosted by Tracy R Zemansky
Psychologist, PhD, CSAT-S, MFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90405
These PHP-type groups are for doctoral level licensed healthcare professionals, residents, and medical students. Support and professional monitoring services may be included.
New Models for Navigating Life after Fifty
In our quickly changing world, we are in need of new, creative, and fulfilling models for navigating the experiences of the mid and later years of life. This group looks at some of those models, and provides opportunities for creating ...
Hosted by Darcy Lubbers
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, MFT, ATR-BC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90405
In our quickly changing world, we are in need of new, creative, and fulfilling models for navigating the experiences of the mid and later years of life. This group looks at some of those models, and provides opportunities for creating ...
DBT skills and Process group
A weekly group (capping at 6-8 people) with alternating weeks of DBT skills and Process co-led by Level 3 Intensive Trained (Behavioral Tech) clinician and substance abuse/trauma specialist.
Hosted by Claire Hughes
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90401
A weekly group (capping at 6-8 people) with alternating weeks of DBT skills and Process co-led by Level 3 Intensive Trained (Behavioral Tech) clinician and substance abuse/trauma specialist.
Trauma Process Group
I offer recurring 8 week trauma groups focused on exploring complex, relational and developmental traumas. Clients may participate in one or more 8 week series. Concurrent individual therapy is typically required to ensure members have adequate support; referrals can be ...
Hosted by Ava Rose
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90403
I offer recurring 8 week trauma groups focused on exploring complex, relational and developmental traumas. Clients may participate in one or more 8 week series. Concurrent individual therapy is typically required to ensure members have adequate support; referrals can be ...
Mindfulness meditation for eating disorders
This group includes mindfulness meditation for people struggling with eating disorders. We begin group with a psycho-education portion, then there is a mindfulness meditation. Afterwards group members process their week/experience in group
Hosted by Lea Roussos
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90401
This group includes mindfulness meditation for people struggling with eating disorders. We begin group with a psycho-education portion, then there is a mindfulness meditation. Afterwards group members process their week/experience in group
Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention
If you're stable in recovery from addictive behaviors, committed to living with your new-found freedom, and want solid relapse prevention skills, this 8-week group could be fantastic for you. Through a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness practices, you'll ...
Hosted by Mary Ann Abosch
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, TMF
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90403
If you're stable in recovery from addictive behaviors, committed to living with your new-found freedom, and want solid relapse prevention skills, this 8-week group could be fantastic for you. Through a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness practices, you'll ...
Introduction to Dream Tending Workshop
Have you ever wondered what your dreams say about you and your life experiences? While dreams provide insight and greater self awareness, the dream tending process connects us to our intuition and creative intelligence. Join us for an introductory dream ...
Hosted by Allison Duplechain
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90405
Have you ever wondered what your dreams say about you and your life experiences? While dreams provide insight and greater self awareness, the dream tending process connects us to our intuition and creative intelligence. Join us for an introductory dream ...
Life Group (e.g., Process Group, open to everyone)
Based on the work of Dr. Irvin Yalom, this group is for just about anyone to attend who is 21 years or older. It's open to almost any mental-emotional-social-b ehavior issue that exists, and thus, the group is open-minded, accepting, ...
Hosted by Dr. Joseph Lancaster
Psychologist, PsyD, MFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90405
Based on the work of Dr. Irvin Yalom, this group is for just about anyone to attend who is 21 years or older. It's open to almost any mental-emotional-social-b ehavior issue that exists, and thus, the group is open-minded, accepting, ...
Women's Trauma Support Group
We have a trained, trauma-informed therapist leading the group on a supportive journey toward healing. We address the most common topics that come up in abuse + trauma, including how the brain and body works, how you can make sense ...
Hosted by Quincee Gideon
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90404
We have a trained, trauma-informed therapist leading the group on a supportive journey toward healing. We address the most common topics that come up in abuse + trauma, including how the brain and body works, how you can make sense ...
Couple's Group
This group is for couples who have successfully completed a course of Imago Therapy, either privately or in an Imago workshop. The group meets once a month and serves as an anchor for those who'd like to keep their skills ...
Hosted by Vera C. Eck
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90404
This group is for couples who have successfully completed a course of Imago Therapy, either privately or in an Imago workshop. The group meets once a month and serves as an anchor for those who'd like to keep their skills ...
DBT Skills Group
Join us for a DBT Skills Group with a focus on integrating DBT skills into daily life. This group is perfect for anyone who needs a little extra support, whether you're new to DBT or a DBT veteran! Dialectical Behavior ...
Hosted by Lydia Kosinar
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90403
Join us for a DBT Skills Group with a focus on integrating DBT skills into daily life. This group is perfect for anyone who needs a little extra support, whether you're new to DBT or a DBT veteran! Dialectical Behavior ...
Reflective Parenting Group
12 week Reflective Parenting Workshop
Dates -TBA
Hosted by Margaret Dunham
Marriage & Family Therapist, PsyD, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Monica, CA 90403
12 week Reflective Parenting Workshop
Dates -TBA
See more therapy options for Santa Monica
FAQs - About Group Therapy and Support Groups
How can I find a support group in Santa Monica?
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.