Pregnancy Support Group
If you are pregnant and wanting to seek the support and wisdom of other pregnant women, a pregnancy support group is an opportunity to get in touch with yourself and others, while learning tools to fully experience the profound transformation ...
Hosted by Shannon Lawler
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, MFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Studio City, CA 91604
If you are pregnant and wanting to seek the support and wisdom of other pregnant women, a pregnancy support group is an opportunity to get in touch with yourself and others, while learning tools to fully experience the profound transformation ...
Much More Than Mom
Moms are extremely good at thinking about and supporting everyone around them. In that process sometimes mom themselves gets forgotten. The intent of this group is to carve out space where 1.5 hours per week each member has the opportunity ...
Hosted by Jennie Beuhler
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Mill Valley, CA 94942
Moms are extremely good at thinking about and supporting everyone around them. In that process sometimes mom themselves gets forgotten. The intent of this group is to carve out space where 1.5 hours per week each member has the opportunity ...
Neurenics
Hosted by Thomas Browne, Ph. D.
Psychologist, Ph, D
Verified Verified
Group meets in San Francisco, CA 94111
WisdomPath Parenting
Hosted by WisdomPath Way Institute
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, PhD, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Fair Oaks, CA 95628
Lifestar Recovery groups-sexual addiction
Regarding recovery from sex addiction and betrayal trauma, who you see matters. We are the experts in the field with 3 CSAT therapists/specialty trained staff. For over 2 decades the Lifestar program has been providing recovery treatment/therapy groups for those ...
Hosted by Leslie Haws
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, CSAT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Gold River, CA 95670
Regarding recovery from sex addiction and betrayal trauma, who you see matters. We are the experts in the field with 3 CSAT therapists/specialty trained staff. For over 2 decades the Lifestar program has been providing recovery treatment/therapy groups for those ...
Santa Cruz Therapy Collective
SCTC is a place for support, healing, & growth. We understand what you’re going through: work burnout, childhood trauma, panic, family distress, sadness. As a group of experienced colleagues who have worked together for years, we have numerous specialties, making ...
Hosted by Inbal Yassur
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Santa Cruz, CA 95062
SCTC is a place for support, healing, & growth. We understand what you’re going through: work burnout, childhood trauma, panic, family distress, sadness. As a group of experienced colleagues who have worked together for years, we have numerous specialties, making ...
Life Hacks
A group for high school teens. Young adults are burdened to navigate the world and prepare for adulthood with minimal guidance or support. Wouldn’t it be great to have a place to discuss the mundane and dive into the curiosity ...
Hosted by Karina Valdez
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, CCTP
Verified Verified
Group meets in Chula Vista, CA 91910
A group for high school teens. Young adults are burdened to navigate the world and prepare for adulthood with minimal guidance or support. Wouldn’t it be great to have a place to discuss the mundane and dive into the curiosity ...
marriage/ relationship workshop
If you are looking to reinvigorate your intimate partnership, recharge the love & attraction you once felt, renew the regard you once held for your beloved, this workshop is designed to turn your marital doldrums into marital enlightenment. Join our ...
Hosted by Marcia Brandwynne
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Los Angeles, CA 90004
If you are looking to reinvigorate your intimate partnership, recharge the love & attraction you once felt, renew the regard you once held for your beloved, this workshop is designed to turn your marital doldrums into marital enlightenment. Join our ...
Stronger Together
Stronger Together is a support group for individuals with symptoms of depression. The support group offers a safe place where participants can get information that’s practical, constructive, and helpful. They’ll have the benefit of encouragement, and they’ll learn more about ...
Hosted by Wellness Begins Within
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
Group meets in Covina, CA 91724
Stronger Together is a support group for individuals with symptoms of depression. The support group offers a safe place where participants can get information that’s practical, constructive, and helpful. They’ll have the benefit of encouragement, and they’ll learn more about ...
Brene Brown's The Daring Way Weekend Intensive
Now enrolling for January 2019!
The Daring Way(tm) group is an experiential class in which the skills to overcome shame and live authentically are learned and practiced. The goal is to develop self-worth and a courage-practice that rests on ...
Hosted by Dr. Gricelda Fragoso G
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Encinitas, CA 92024
Now enrolling for January 2019!
The Daring Way(tm) group is an experiential class in which the skills to overcome shame and live authentically are learned and practiced. The goal is to develop self-worth and a courage-practice that rests on ...
Attachment-based Consultation Group
Licensed therapists and advanced interns working with complex cases involving patients with histories of trauma, abuse and dysfunctional attachment characteristics will find value in this group.
Hosted by Craig W Clark
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Capitola, CA 95010
Licensed therapists and advanced interns working with complex cases involving patients with histories of trauma, abuse and dysfunctional attachment characteristics will find value in this group.
Codependency Group
This ongoing support group meets online weekly every Tuesday night to help each other in living our best lives. This group focuses on education, skills building and thriving. Join us as we create a comfortable, safe, warm and welcoming community ...
This ongoing support group meets online weekly every Tuesday night to help each other in living our best lives. This group focuses on education, skills building and thriving. Join us as we create a comfortable, safe, warm and welcoming community ...
Post-Partum Group For New Mothers
This group time/day will vary depending on availability of participants.
Hosted by Kimberly K Griggs
Marriage & Family Therapist, PsyD, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
This group time/day will vary depending on availability of participants.
Creating Healthy Relationships for Women
This process group is primarily insight-oriented and encourages self-awareness and introspection. The purpose of the group is to explore your way of being in relationships. It is long term and open ended. Weekly attendance, with minimal reasonable exceptions is required. ...
Hosted by Bonnie Ray Kennan
Marriage & Family Therapist, PsyD, MFT, CGP
Verified Verified
Group meets in Torrance, CA 90505
This process group is primarily insight-oriented and encourages self-awareness and introspection. The purpose of the group is to explore your way of being in relationships. It is long term and open ended. Weekly attendance, with minimal reasonable exceptions is required. ...
Ohana Family Counseling
Hosted by Amy Kaltenbach
Marriage & Family Therapist, MEd, MA
Verified Verified
Group meets in Simi Valley, CA 93063
Group Therapy
Basically, the focus is on improving interpersonal and relationship skills. The power of group therapy lies in the ability to receive honest yet supportive feedback from members. Members tell one another how they are experienced--what are things they do that ...
Hosted by Mary Jean (Mj) Paris
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Group meets in San Francisco, CA 94102
Basically, the focus is on improving interpersonal and relationship skills. The power of group therapy lies in the ability to receive honest yet supportive feedback from members. Members tell one another how they are experienced--what are things they do that ...
Explore Your Relationship to Substance Use
Interested in exploring your relationship to substance use in a non-judgmental, group, setting? Join our intimate group of people working to examine and change their relationship to substance use. Our group balances skill-development with processing and meets weekly for 90 ...
Hosted by Wallace Earl Smith
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in San Mateo, CA 94401
Interested in exploring your relationship to substance use in a non-judgmental, group, setting? Join our intimate group of people working to examine and change their relationship to substance use. Our group balances skill-development with processing and meets weekly for 90 ...
Living-Consciousness Circle
Psycho-Spiritual group emphasizing Mindfulness techniques, contemplation and meditation.
Hosted by Tracy J Covington
Psychologist, PhD, AAPM, BCB
Verified Verified
Group meets in Redlands, CA 92373
Psycho-Spiritual group emphasizing Mindfulness techniques, contemplation and meditation.
Pure Love (Codependency)
Pure Love is a group for women who struggle in relationships.
Hosted by CeCe Rubalcava
Pastoral Counselor, ThD
Verified Verified
Group meets in Bakersfield, CA 93309
Pure Love is a group for women who struggle in relationships.
See more therapy options for California
FAQs - About Group Therapy and Support Groups
How can I find a support group in California?
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.