Support Groups in Springfield, IL

Hosted by Personal Counseling Services - Vicki Vandeveer, MA
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, LCPC, CADC, MAC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Springfield, IL 62704
(217) 216-8284 View (217) 216-8284
Meditate, create, and connect with others during this trauma informed low pressure art therapy group held every other Wednesday starting September 11, 25, October 9, 23 and Nov. 6, 2024. No art experience is necessary as this group is focused on process and not product. Register by emailing shanna.shrum@stillwaterstherapy.org
Hosted by Shanna Shrum
Pre-Licensed Professional
Verified Verified
Group meets in Springfield, IL 62711
Hello! I’m Shanna and I am accepting new clients. I am drawn to working with people who have experienced systemic, interpersonal, financial, and work-related trauma, women, couples, LGBTQ+ folks and anyone who wishes to heal their heart amidst the challenges of the world. I strive to co-create a safe container with clients, so they feel open to explore and embrace all the parts of themselves, both light and dark. My style can best be described as playful, embodied, mindful, compassionate, and creative with a side of humor!
(217) 773-5975 View (217) 773-5975
Our team provides online individual, couples, family, and group counseling services in both Illinois and Pennsylvania. Supervision and consultation services are available as well.
Hosted by Empathic Empowerment Counseling
Counselor, LCPC, LPC, CADC, CLCP, CRC
Verified Verified
Group meets in Springfield, IL 62701
We all experience happiness, sadness, and several other emotions every day. Sometimes, you need someone in your corner to challenge you, validate you, or comfort you while discussing your struggles. While I cannot promise that counseling will resolve all your problems, I will join you on your journey to reduce these challenges so you can live a fulfilling life!
(217) 393-8942 View (217) 393-8942
This is a two-day, pre-Valentine's Day workshop In Springfield, Illinois on February 9 and 10, 2013 where all the skills are taught from the research of Drs. John and Julie Gottman and practiced by the couples who attend. No self-disclosure is required by a couple. Each couple receives a manual of skills and a workshop kit to aid in enhancing the closeness in their relationship. For more info, see http://best-marital-workshops.com.
Hosted by J. Graham Thompson
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
Group meets in Springfield, IL 62703
I am the only fully Certified Gottman Couples Therapist in Central Illinois. This approach has been proven to be effective by empirical research. You learn skills that restore emotional communication and closeness in couples. Really hearing your partner's reality restores emotional closeness. Stop the day to day negativity as a couple. Gottman therapy targets patterns that may be impeding you in attaining your relationship goals. The therapy teaches concise skills addressing issues where the "rubber hits the ground." I am also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Illinois. In addition to couples, I see families, children, and individuals.
(217) 645-6741 View (217) 645-6741

See more therapy options for Springfield

FAQs - About Group Therapy and Support Groups

How can I find a support group in Springfield?

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.

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.