Support Groups in Oakland, CA

Men's Group
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
"This group is an opportunity for men to cultivate more fulfilling relationships with themselves, loved ones, and other men. Through self-exploration and receiving the support of others, participants have the opportunity to find a deeper strength within. This strength can ..."

Chronic Illness Support Group (Oakland)
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT, APCC
Verified
Verified
"A group for anyone who experiences a chronic illness condition or chronic pain condition, to come together with others to be supported around these conditions "

Dream Consultation
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, MFT
Verified
Verified
"I developed a gift for dream interpretation early in life. In this group participants practice and gradually gain expertise in the interpretation of their own dreams. We discuss the nature of symbolic dream material, metaphors, archetypes, world mythologies and psychodynamic ..."

Dream Wisdom Circle
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
"You will be sharing a dream, walking through it as you tell it like a story. With a focused inquiry and and reflection on the symbols in your dream you will experience the guidance and support your dreams can offer. ..."

DBT Skills Group
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified
Verified
"The DBT skills group teaches emotion regulation, mindfulness, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness skills. "

Dad Group
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA
Verified
Verified
"Are you a dad, step-dad, supportive adult, or soon-to-be dad? Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the responsibilities? The Dad group is an ongoing group of male-identified individuals interested in talking about fatherhood and the roles we play as ..."

Do you know BTS?
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA
Verified
Verified
"An online therapy support group for adult BTS fans known as ARMYs. Come join us as we draw from our love of all things 0T7 to co-create a welcoming therapeutic space for ARMYs seeking additional support and growth in their ..."

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Group
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
"Virtual ACT for Anxiety and Depression workshop: 8-week course to help you find your path to a life worth living. Whether you struggle with lifelong anxiety and/or depression, feel stuck in life or overwhelmed by current events, this group can ..."

Moving Throughout Emotional Crisis
Psychologist, MA, PsyD
Verified
Verified
"Offering a blend of didactic skill based training and supportive group process, the Moving Through Emotional Crisis Group offers support to anyone suffering from intense depression, anxiety or trauma related symptoms. This 90 minute group is divided into approximately 30 ..."

APA - Asian Pacific-Islander American Group
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified
Verified
"Centering restorative justice, COVID-19, and the APA experience. "

Special Messages
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
"These groups started by attempting to redefine psychosis, however I found that many people who didn't identify with psychosis were helped when they audited the group. From labels of schizophrenia, schizoaffective, or bipolar; to labels associated with depression, PTSD, neurodevelopmental ..."

Mindfulness for Women of Color
Marriage & Family Therapist, MFT
Verified
Verified
"Women of Color: Learn mindfulness skills to help you increase your calm, sense of peace and comfort within yourself, and to lessen your overwhelm. A six week online course with lessons delivered by email, then followed up with live online ..."

White Male Resilience -- Unlearning the "isms"
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
"This three month group therapy course is for white men who want to make a social difference in their families, communities, and the world. This group will teach you skills necessary to stay present and connected in difficult and uncomfortable ..."

Self-Healing & Empowerment (SHE) Group for Blk Wmn
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified
Verified
"Society tends to approach and respond to womxn as if we're the caretakers of the world, including in the workplace. And whew, this can feel overwhelming! Black womxn struggle with psychological burdens that result from feeling different from others and ..."

1) Living with Cancer 2) Surviving Infertility
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
Verified
"1) Living with Cancer-a support group for individuals living with cancer from Diagnosis to Post-Treatment 2)Infertility- a support group for surviving Infertility emotionally and practically "

Workshop-Seven Principles For Making Marriage Work
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
"New dates to be determined. Save Your Marriage/Relationship - an 8 hour relationship workshop based on the research of John Gottman, PhD and his book the Seven Principles For Making Marriage Work. Visit my website for registration information. "

Mixed/Multi-heritage Identity group
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, REAT
Verified
Verified
"As someone who identifies as bi/multiracial, bi/multicultural, or in some other way that doesn't quite fit these boxes, this group is an opportunity to come together with other multi-heritage folks to share experiences, be seen and heard, "take up space", ..."

Brain Injury Recovery
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
"Support group/cognitive function course in brain injury recovery. Each group will start with a short lesson followed by group discussion. With a group of peers you will learn how to manage lingering symptoms, and build healthy habits. Common topics include: ..."

Orgasms (O's) are Good Group
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
"Many women don't have orgasms on a regular basis or "fake" it to please their partner. This group's focus is to empower women to enjoy their bodies and reach their potential through homework exercises and positive group feedback. "
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What is the difference between Group Therapy and a Support Group?
Oakland Support Groups and Group Therapy both offer a safe place to explore important issues. It is important, however, to understand the difference between the two.
Group therapy in Oakland is led by a therapist, group psychotherapist, or group counselor, and is generally structured around an issue. The therapist guides the group through a program as the group works together to better understand thoughts and feelings. Experienced therapists lead psychotherapy groups for various ages, such as adults, and specific issues including anger management, anxiety, and coping skills.
Support groups in Oakland are usually facilitated by a therapist or counselor, but can also be led by members with lived experiences. Generally, a support group is less structured than a therapy group. Support groups bring together members to provide support and strength to each other, often around a common challenge such as addiction or grief.
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.
Group therapy in Oakland is led by a therapist, group psychotherapist, or group counselor, and is generally structured around an issue. The therapist guides the group through a program as the group works together to better understand thoughts and feelings. Experienced therapists lead psychotherapy groups for various ages, such as adults, and specific issues including anger management, anxiety, and coping skills.
Support groups in Oakland are usually facilitated by a therapist or counselor, but can also be led by members with lived experiences. Generally, a support group is less structured than a therapy group. Support groups bring together members to provide support and strength to each other, often around a common challenge such as addiction or grief.
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.
Is Group Therapy Right For You?
Group therapy in Oakland allows you to benefit from the experiences and sharing of others. Listening to others, and recognizing what you have in common, allows you to learn about yourself. In the group environment, where therapy types such as Mindfulness Based group therapy are used, you can recognize aspects of yourself that you may choose to modify or change.
As other members share about their lives, you might see your own experiences or see patterns you hadn’t noticed previously. The group allows you to better understand issues you might not have noticed before.
Hearing the stories of group members gets you outside of yourself and helps you see your life differently. As you do that, a process of self-acceptance and empathy for others occurs as you learn to relate with others in the group.
Group therapy and support groups in Oakland can also be a less expensive alternative to individual therapy. While you should check with your insurance company, you’ll often find that therapist led group psychotherapy is covered, while peer-led support groups are not. Either way, group session costs are generally less expensive than individual therapy.
As other members share about their lives, you might see your own experiences or see patterns you hadn’t noticed previously. The group allows you to better understand issues you might not have noticed before.
Hearing the stories of group members gets you outside of yourself and helps you see your life differently. As you do that, a process of self-acceptance and empathy for others occurs as you learn to relate with others in the group.
Group therapy and support groups in Oakland can also be a less expensive alternative to individual therapy. While you should check with your insurance company, you’ll often find that therapist led group psychotherapy is covered, while peer-led support groups are not. Either way, group session costs are generally less expensive than individual therapy.