Sometimes, when you’re feeling down, anxious, or depressed, all you really want to do is talk to someone whounderstands what you’re feeling.But anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions can also make you feel isolated, like you’re the only one in the world who feels the way that you do. That’s whygroup therapyorsupport groupscan make a big difference: They offer you the option oftalking about what you’re going throughwith people who understand what you’re dealing with because they are dealing with it too—or they’ve experienced similar feelings in the past.Traditionally, group support took place in person at therapy practices, mental health clinics, community centers, or hospitals. But increasingly,groups are moving onlineto provide widespread access to emotional support when it is needed. Mental health companies are increasingly starting to offeraffordably priced group therapy or group supportoptions to either complement therapy or simply provide a space for people totalk, listen, connect, and learn from peerswho are going through similar life experiences. That’s why we decided to review companies that offer this kind of support; here are the ones that came up on top in our research.
Sometimes, when you’re feeling down, anxious, or depressed, all you really want to do is talk to someone whounderstands what you’re feeling.But anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions can also make you feel isolated, like you’re the only one in the world who feels the way that you do. That’s whygroup therapyorsupport groupscan make a big difference: They offer you the option oftalking about what you’re going throughwith people who understand what you’re dealing with because they are dealing with it too—or they’ve experienced similar feelings in the past.
Traditionally, group support took place in person at therapy practices, mental health clinics, community centers, or hospitals. But increasingly,groups are moving onlineto provide widespread access to emotional support when it is needed. Mental health companies are increasingly starting to offeraffordably priced group therapy or group supportoptions to either complement therapy or simply provide a space for people totalk, listen, connect, and learn from peerswho are going through similar life experiences. That’s why we decided to review companies that offer this kind of support; here are the ones that came up on top in our research.
The 5 Best Online Group Therapy ServicesBest for Relationship Support:CirclesBest for Sobriety Support:MonumentBest for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:Mindful CareBest for Divorce Support:Growing SelfBest for Messaging:7 Cups
82Companies reviewed8,400Total users surveyed350Data points analyzedWe surveyed 100 users from 55 online therapy companies and 27 therapist directories to understand their experiences with these services. Then, we tested the services ourselves across multiple states, conducted comprehensive data collection research, and evaluated our results with the help of a licensed therapist.
82Companies reviewed8,400Total users surveyed350Data points analyzed
82Companies reviewed
Companies reviewed
8,400Total users surveyed
Total users surveyed
350Data points analyzed
Data points analyzed
Our Online Therapy MethodologyCurious about the extensive work we did to research and evaluate online therapy companies? Take a look at ouronline therapy methodology.
Our Online Therapy Methodology
Curious about the extensive work we did to research and evaluate online therapy companies? Take a look at ouronline therapy methodology.
The Best Online Group Therapy, Tried and TestedView AllThe Best Online Group Therapy, Tried and TestedOur Top PicksCirclesMonumentMindful CareGrowing Self7 CupsSee More (2)Compare ProvidersGuide to ChoosingIs Online Group Therapy Right for You?FAQsMethodology
The Best Online Group Therapy, Tried and TestedView All
View All
The Best Online Group Therapy, Tried and Tested
Guide to Choosing
Is Online Group Therapy Right for You?
FAQs
Methodology
Best for Relationship Support:Circles
Price:$15-$49 per monthIs Insurance Accepted?:NoType Of Therapy:Group Therapy, Peer SupportLearn More
Learn More
Why We Chose It
Pros & Cons
Groups are dedicated to a specific issue
Affordable monthly subscription
Unlimited messaging with group and facilitator available between sessions
14-day money-back guarantee if you’re unhappy with subscription
Pay less if you commit to a year-long subscription
Available in all 50 states
ConsNo one-on-one therapy, couples, or family therapy offeredDoes not accept insuranceSome groups have low attendance
No one-on-one therapy, couples, or family therapy offered
Does not accept insurance
Some groups have low attendance
Our Testing
We testedCirclestwice—including witha therapist who tried Circles—and both times we had very positive experiences. We were also very pleased to discover that since we began researching this company (and surveying past and current users, but more on that below), Circles has begun offering two low-cost monthly subscription plans with access to groups focused on navigating difficult relationships. Those in narcissistic relationships or going through a divorce or separation can join groups with focuses that range from co-dependency to trust issues to parenting challenges to post-divorce identity. And while we tried Circles when it was offering groups focusing on different challenges (including grief), our experience with it makes us feel comfortable recommending it for its new focus on relationships.
Our conversations covered different therapy modalities, our stories, and various goals that people can have in their own healing. As with all group therapy, the tone and vibe of each group varies depending on who makes up the group and the moderator—for example, some of our sessions felt more educational; others more conversational. Circles is not the same as individual therapy, but if you’re looking for support or you’re simply having trouble affording the cost of traditional psychotherapy, this company offers a good place to start.
Plans & Pricing
Insurance Accepted:NoSubscription Required:YesOut-of-Pocket Costs:Monthly subscriptions for $29 per month, 6-month subscriptions for $129 ($21.50 per month), or yearly subscriptions for $179 ($14.90 per month)Verywell Mind readers get a 22% discount off a monthly or yearly subscription with the code VERYWELL22, applied at checkout.
Verywell Mind readers get a 22% discount off a monthly or yearly subscription with the code VERYWELL22, applied at checkout.
What Users Say
We surveyed 100 users of Circles:87% rated Circles as very good or excellent overall87% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent92% said that most or all of their needs were met at Circles93% are likely or very likely to recommend Circles to a friend or someone like them16% said Circles had better group sessions than other services they’d tried
We surveyed 100 users of Circles:
Best for Sobriety Support:Monument
Price:Starts at $15+ per monthIs Insurance Accepted?:YesType Of Therapy:Group Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Peer SupportLearn More
Monument is unique in its clear focus on helping people recover from alcohol addiction. It is also the only online therapy provider that offersexpert-moderated online alcohol support groupsalongside its therapy and medication management services. For just a $15 monthly community membership, you get 24/7 online community forum access and therapist-led groups every day of the week.
Specialized focus on helping people with alcohol use disorder
All providers specialize in treating substance use
You can join a group anonymously
Groups open to people in all 50 states
Accepts insurance plans
Company also offers individual therapy and medication management
ConsYou can’t choose your own therapistNo built-in referral network to inpatient rehabTherapy plans are not available in all 50 states
You can’t choose your own therapist
No built-in referral network to inpatient rehab
Therapy plans are not available in all 50 states
Recovery groups, both in-person and online, have long been a part ofalcohol addiction treatmentbecause these groups can help people feel less isolated while also allowing members to learn from others’ shared experiences. And while we could not assign anyone to testMonumentbecause we did not find it ethical to do so, we did test out the sign-up process and thoroughly research its offerings. We also consulted three licensed therapists to get their perspective—and this led us to confidently recommend it. What impressed us most about Monument was all of its therapists and prescribers specialize in treating alcohol use disorder, which means that you’re guaranteed to get a quality of care you might not find at other support groups—even those devoted to people seeking sobriety support.
If you need additional support after group sessions, you can chat with other group members in a private channel at any time, night or day. Plus, if you prefer more individualized support, you can sign up for one of Monument’s therapy or medication management subscription plans, depending on what state you live in.
We surveyed 100 users of Monument:84% rated Monument as very good or excellent overall94% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent98% said that most or all of their needs were met at Monument95% are likely or very likely to recommend Monument to a friend or someone like them28% said Monument had better group sessions than other services they’d tried
We surveyed 100 users of Monument:
Best for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:Mindful Care
Price:$50-$175 for substance use; Individual therapy: $50 for 20-minute sessions, $100 for 40-minute sessions; $35 per group session; $75-$175 for psychiatry sessionIs Insurance Accepted?:YesType Of Therapy:Group Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen CounselingLearn More
Can pursue group therapy alongside therapy and psychiatry at the same company
Therapists use cognitive behavioral therapy in group sessions
Groups devoted to multiple mental health concerns
Inclusive group environments
Affordably priced group sessions
Sessions are available at flexible times
ConsTherapy services not for kids or teens under 18Only available in 14 statesNot as impressed with company’s other services
Therapy services not for kids or teens under 18
Only available in 14 states
Not as impressed with company’s other services
We asked two people to tryMindful Care’s therapy services, including its group therapy. Overall, we were very pleased withour experience testing Mindful Carein these group sessions, especially for the relatively affordable price. All group sessions are an hour long and conducted over Zoom at Mindful Care. You have the option of joining one of nine different groups addressing different issues, such assubstance use, LGBTQ+ support,depression,anger management,trauma, and more.
We surveyed 100 users of Mindful Care:83% rated Mindful Care as very good or excellent overall86% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent90% said that most or all of their needs were met at Mindful Care96% are likely or very likely to recommend Mindful Care to a friend or someone like them14% said Mindful Care had better group sessions than other services they’d tried
We surveyed 100 users of Mindful Care:
Best for Divorce Support:Growing Self
Price:$40 per group session; $75 to $170 per individual therapy or coaching sessionIs Insurance Accepted?:NoType Of Therapy:Couples Therapy, Individual TherapyLearn More
Clear focus on breakup and divorce recovery
Affordably priced rates for group therapy
Individual therapy, premarital counseling, and couples therapy also offered
ConsNo appDoesn’t accept insuranceWebsite is difficult to navigate
No app
Doesn’t accept insurance
Website is difficult to navigate
Insurance Accepted:NoSubscription Required:NoOut-of-Pocket Costs:Support groups cost $40 per 60- to 75-minute group session; therapy ranges from $75 to $170 per 45-minute session based on the therapist’s level of training—sliding scale pricing is available
We surveyed 100 users of Growing Self:85% rated Growing Self as very good or excellent overall93% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent97% said that most or all of their needs were met at Growing Self96% are likely or very likely to recommend Growing Self to a friend or someone like them12% said Growing Self had better group sessions than other services they’d tried
We surveyed 100 users of Growing Self:
Best for Messaging:7 CupsPrice:Free peer services available; online therapy is $159–$299 per monthIs Insurance Accepted?:NoType Of Therapy:Individual Therapy, Peer SupportLearn MoreWhy We Chose ItAs a peer-support platform, 7 Cups allows you to share online in chat room groups with people who are experiencing the same issues as you are. You can also sign up for monthly therapy subscriptions to message with a licensed therapist.Pros & ConsProsMessaging-based group support roomsAvailable to international users and all 50 statesAvailable 24/7Groups in over 140 languagesFree to joinAffordably pricedConsNo licensed therapist moderating the groupsPaywall for access to some groupsThe number of different groups can be difficult to navigateOur TestingWe asked one person—a writer with ADHD who often struggles to feel motivated—to test out7 Cupsto see if it would help her find the kind of community support she was looking for. And after a month of testing the service, she decided it wasn’t the right service for her—but could see why others might benefit from it for a number of reasons. We could sign up and chat with peers online in a wide range of topic-focused support chat groups for free. This is a real plus if you’re struggling to afford mental health resources otherwise (and if you find you want additional support, you can sign up for one-on-one text-based therapy with a therapist for $159 a month, as well as access to additional community support options that follow a “growth path”).The 24/7 accessibility is a benefit for anyone who struggles to find the time for traditional therapy or even for support groups that meet at set times each week. We could jump into a room whenever we wanted and join the discussion. The groups were moderated to help us feel safe opening up, too—though like the internet as a whole, there isn’t a 100% guarantee that the conversation might not go off the rails from time to time (at least for a little while). Unlike group therapy or support groups you might join at another company or in person, all chat rooms at 7 Cups are essentially peer support groups. There is no therapist in the group to help guide the session. We could choose to speak with “trained listeners” one-on-one, though, and while those listeners are volunteers (not licensed therapists), they do receive some training from 7 Cups.Just be warned, though, that the sheer number of peer support groups—or chat forums— can be overwhelming to navigate. We could find them all from our account dashboard, which we found to be a little crowded. We also didn’t find the premium growth paths (which cost more) to be all that more helpful than the groups we could access for free. Essentially, these paths are learning modules devoted to topics likesocial anxiety,PTSD, trauma, depression, and more.Plans & PricingInsurance Accepted:NoSubscription Required:NoOut-of-Pocket Costs:Free for group chat rooms, private peer chats, and access to “active listeners”; a premium subscription with access to the premium growth paths is $13 per month or $108 per year ($9 per month); therapy subscriptions are $159 per month fortext-based online therapywith a licensed therapist or $299 per month for weekly talk therapy sessions with a therapistWhat Users SayWe surveyed 100 users of 7 Cups:91% rated 7 Cups as very good or excellent overall91% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent93% said that most or all of their needs were met at 7 Cups94% are likely or very likely to recommend 7 Cups to a friend or someone like them9% said 7 Cups had better group sessions than other services they’d tried
Best for Messaging:7 Cups
Price:Free peer services available; online therapy is $159–$299 per monthIs Insurance Accepted?:NoType Of Therapy:Individual Therapy, Peer SupportLearn MoreWhy We Chose ItAs a peer-support platform, 7 Cups allows you to share online in chat room groups with people who are experiencing the same issues as you are. You can also sign up for monthly therapy subscriptions to message with a licensed therapist.Pros & ConsProsMessaging-based group support roomsAvailable to international users and all 50 statesAvailable 24/7Groups in over 140 languagesFree to joinAffordably pricedConsNo licensed therapist moderating the groupsPaywall for access to some groupsThe number of different groups can be difficult to navigateOur TestingWe asked one person—a writer with ADHD who often struggles to feel motivated—to test out7 Cupsto see if it would help her find the kind of community support she was looking for. And after a month of testing the service, she decided it wasn’t the right service for her—but could see why others might benefit from it for a number of reasons. We could sign up and chat with peers online in a wide range of topic-focused support chat groups for free. This is a real plus if you’re struggling to afford mental health resources otherwise (and if you find you want additional support, you can sign up for one-on-one text-based therapy with a therapist for $159 a month, as well as access to additional community support options that follow a “growth path”).The 24/7 accessibility is a benefit for anyone who struggles to find the time for traditional therapy or even for support groups that meet at set times each week. We could jump into a room whenever we wanted and join the discussion. The groups were moderated to help us feel safe opening up, too—though like the internet as a whole, there isn’t a 100% guarantee that the conversation might not go off the rails from time to time (at least for a little while). Unlike group therapy or support groups you might join at another company or in person, all chat rooms at 7 Cups are essentially peer support groups. There is no therapist in the group to help guide the session. We could choose to speak with “trained listeners” one-on-one, though, and while those listeners are volunteers (not licensed therapists), they do receive some training from 7 Cups.Just be warned, though, that the sheer number of peer support groups—or chat forums— can be overwhelming to navigate. We could find them all from our account dashboard, which we found to be a little crowded. We also didn’t find the premium growth paths (which cost more) to be all that more helpful than the groups we could access for free. Essentially, these paths are learning modules devoted to topics likesocial anxiety,PTSD, trauma, depression, and more.Plans & PricingInsurance Accepted:NoSubscription Required:NoOut-of-Pocket Costs:Free for group chat rooms, private peer chats, and access to “active listeners”; a premium subscription with access to the premium growth paths is $13 per month or $108 per year ($9 per month); therapy subscriptions are $159 per month fortext-based online therapywith a licensed therapist or $299 per month for weekly talk therapy sessions with a therapistWhat Users SayWe surveyed 100 users of 7 Cups:91% rated 7 Cups as very good or excellent overall91% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent93% said that most or all of their needs were met at 7 Cups94% are likely or very likely to recommend 7 Cups to a friend or someone like them9% said 7 Cups had better group sessions than other services they’d tried
Price:Free peer services available; online therapy is $159–$299 per monthIs Insurance Accepted?:NoType Of Therapy:Individual Therapy, Peer SupportLearn More
Why We Chose ItAs a peer-support platform, 7 Cups allows you to share online in chat room groups with people who are experiencing the same issues as you are. You can also sign up for monthly therapy subscriptions to message with a licensed therapist.Pros & ConsProsMessaging-based group support roomsAvailable to international users and all 50 statesAvailable 24/7Groups in over 140 languagesFree to joinAffordably pricedConsNo licensed therapist moderating the groupsPaywall for access to some groupsThe number of different groups can be difficult to navigateOur TestingWe asked one person—a writer with ADHD who often struggles to feel motivated—to test out7 Cupsto see if it would help her find the kind of community support she was looking for. And after a month of testing the service, she decided it wasn’t the right service for her—but could see why others might benefit from it for a number of reasons. We could sign up and chat with peers online in a wide range of topic-focused support chat groups for free. This is a real plus if you’re struggling to afford mental health resources otherwise (and if you find you want additional support, you can sign up for one-on-one text-based therapy with a therapist for $159 a month, as well as access to additional community support options that follow a “growth path”).The 24/7 accessibility is a benefit for anyone who struggles to find the time for traditional therapy or even for support groups that meet at set times each week. We could jump into a room whenever we wanted and join the discussion. The groups were moderated to help us feel safe opening up, too—though like the internet as a whole, there isn’t a 100% guarantee that the conversation might not go off the rails from time to time (at least for a little while). Unlike group therapy or support groups you might join at another company or in person, all chat rooms at 7 Cups are essentially peer support groups. There is no therapist in the group to help guide the session. We could choose to speak with “trained listeners” one-on-one, though, and while those listeners are volunteers (not licensed therapists), they do receive some training from 7 Cups.Just be warned, though, that the sheer number of peer support groups—or chat forums— can be overwhelming to navigate. We could find them all from our account dashboard, which we found to be a little crowded. We also didn’t find the premium growth paths (which cost more) to be all that more helpful than the groups we could access for free. Essentially, these paths are learning modules devoted to topics likesocial anxiety,PTSD, trauma, depression, and more.Plans & PricingInsurance Accepted:NoSubscription Required:NoOut-of-Pocket Costs:Free for group chat rooms, private peer chats, and access to “active listeners”; a premium subscription with access to the premium growth paths is $13 per month or $108 per year ($9 per month); therapy subscriptions are $159 per month fortext-based online therapywith a licensed therapist or $299 per month for weekly talk therapy sessions with a therapistWhat Users SayWe surveyed 100 users of 7 Cups:91% rated 7 Cups as very good or excellent overall91% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent93% said that most or all of their needs were met at 7 Cups94% are likely or very likely to recommend 7 Cups to a friend or someone like them9% said 7 Cups had better group sessions than other services they’d tried
As a peer-support platform, 7 Cups allows you to share online in chat room groups with people who are experiencing the same issues as you are. You can also sign up for monthly therapy subscriptions to message with a licensed therapist.
ProsMessaging-based group support roomsAvailable to international users and all 50 statesAvailable 24/7Groups in over 140 languagesFree to joinAffordably pricedConsNo licensed therapist moderating the groupsPaywall for access to some groupsThe number of different groups can be difficult to navigate
ProsMessaging-based group support roomsAvailable to international users and all 50 statesAvailable 24/7Groups in over 140 languagesFree to joinAffordably priced
Messaging-based group support rooms
Available to international users and all 50 states
Available 24/7
Groups in over 140 languages
Free to join
Affordably priced
ConsNo licensed therapist moderating the groupsPaywall for access to some groupsThe number of different groups can be difficult to navigate
No licensed therapist moderating the groups
Paywall for access to some groups
The number of different groups can be difficult to navigate
We asked one person—a writer with ADHD who often struggles to feel motivated—to test out7 Cupsto see if it would help her find the kind of community support she was looking for. And after a month of testing the service, she decided it wasn’t the right service for her—but could see why others might benefit from it for a number of reasons. We could sign up and chat with peers online in a wide range of topic-focused support chat groups for free. This is a real plus if you’re struggling to afford mental health resources otherwise (and if you find you want additional support, you can sign up for one-on-one text-based therapy with a therapist for $159 a month, as well as access to additional community support options that follow a “growth path”).The 24/7 accessibility is a benefit for anyone who struggles to find the time for traditional therapy or even for support groups that meet at set times each week. We could jump into a room whenever we wanted and join the discussion. The groups were moderated to help us feel safe opening up, too—though like the internet as a whole, there isn’t a 100% guarantee that the conversation might not go off the rails from time to time (at least for a little while). Unlike group therapy or support groups you might join at another company or in person, all chat rooms at 7 Cups are essentially peer support groups. There is no therapist in the group to help guide the session. We could choose to speak with “trained listeners” one-on-one, though, and while those listeners are volunteers (not licensed therapists), they do receive some training from 7 Cups.Just be warned, though, that the sheer number of peer support groups—or chat forums— can be overwhelming to navigate. We could find them all from our account dashboard, which we found to be a little crowded. We also didn’t find the premium growth paths (which cost more) to be all that more helpful than the groups we could access for free. Essentially, these paths are learning modules devoted to topics likesocial anxiety,PTSD, trauma, depression, and more.
We asked one person—a writer with ADHD who often struggles to feel motivated—to test out7 Cupsto see if it would help her find the kind of community support she was looking for. And after a month of testing the service, she decided it wasn’t the right service for her—but could see why others might benefit from it for a number of reasons. We could sign up and chat with peers online in a wide range of topic-focused support chat groups for free. This is a real plus if you’re struggling to afford mental health resources otherwise (and if you find you want additional support, you can sign up for one-on-one text-based therapy with a therapist for $159 a month, as well as access to additional community support options that follow a “growth path”).
The 24/7 accessibility is a benefit for anyone who struggles to find the time for traditional therapy or even for support groups that meet at set times each week. We could jump into a room whenever we wanted and join the discussion. The groups were moderated to help us feel safe opening up, too—though like the internet as a whole, there isn’t a 100% guarantee that the conversation might not go off the rails from time to time (at least for a little while). Unlike group therapy or support groups you might join at another company or in person, all chat rooms at 7 Cups are essentially peer support groups. There is no therapist in the group to help guide the session. We could choose to speak with “trained listeners” one-on-one, though, and while those listeners are volunteers (not licensed therapists), they do receive some training from 7 Cups.
Just be warned, though, that the sheer number of peer support groups—or chat forums— can be overwhelming to navigate. We could find them all from our account dashboard, which we found to be a little crowded. We also didn’t find the premium growth paths (which cost more) to be all that more helpful than the groups we could access for free. Essentially, these paths are learning modules devoted to topics likesocial anxiety,PTSD, trauma, depression, and more.
Insurance Accepted:NoSubscription Required:NoOut-of-Pocket Costs:Free for group chat rooms, private peer chats, and access to “active listeners”; a premium subscription with access to the premium growth paths is $13 per month or $108 per year ($9 per month); therapy subscriptions are $159 per month fortext-based online therapywith a licensed therapist or $299 per month for weekly talk therapy sessions with a therapist
We surveyed 100 users of 7 Cups:91% rated 7 Cups as very good or excellent overall91% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent93% said that most or all of their needs were met at 7 Cups94% are likely or very likely to recommend 7 Cups to a friend or someone like them9% said 7 Cups had better group sessions than other services they’d tried
We surveyed 100 users of 7 Cups:
Best for Relationship Support$15-$49 per monthNoNoGroup Therapy, Peer SupportMessaging, Video ChatLearn MoreHide, not for meBest for Sobriety SupportStarts at $15+ per monthYesYesGroup Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Peer SupportMessaging, Video ChatLearn MoreHide, not for meBest for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy$50-$175 for substance use; Individual therapy: $50 for 20-minute sessions, $100 for 40-minute sessions; $35 per group session; $75-$175 for psychiatry sessionYesNoGroup Therapy, Individual Therapy, Medication Management, Psychiatry, Teen CounselingAudio, Video ChatLearn MoreHide, not for meBest for Divorce Support$40 per group session; $75 to $170 per individual therapy or coaching sessionNoNoCouples Therapy, Individual TherapyVideo ChatLearn MoreHide, not for meBest for MessagingFree peer services available; online therapy is $159–$299 per monthNoNoIndividual Therapy, Peer SupportMessagingLearn MoreHide, not for me
Hide, not for me
Guide to Choosing the Best Online Group Therapy
When looking for online group therapy or support, there are a few different factors to consider to ensure you’re joining the right group:
Group therapy or group support has several advantages. It is generally more affordable than individual therapy and it allows you to meet with, talk to, and learn from other people who are either from a similar background or are going through a similar situation as you are. When conducted online, group sessions can also afford you extra privacy that in-person sessions might not. For example, some online therapy companies allow you to be anonymous or use a pseudonym in your group sessions, which might encourage you to open up more in session.
However, group therapy isn’t necessarily for everyone. To truly find a group beneficial, you need to be willing to open up and share. Admittedly, you don’t need to open up right away or during every session, but if you don’t think you’ll ever be able to join in, group therapy is likely not right for you. For example, some people with social anxiety or phobias find it too difficult to share in groups, so they might be more comfortable in individual therapy. Similarly, to truly benefit, you need to click with your group. This means that you might need to try a few before you find one that works for you—and some people don’t want to go through all that trial and error. “Finding the right group is the same as finding the right therapist,” Owens explains. “You need to be able to trust that your group members will support you and be willing to work together to tackle both collective and individual issues.”
Group therapy or online support groups are not meant to replace traditional therapy or psychiatry. Depending on what mental health condition you’ve been diagnosed with, you might need medication management or individual therapy in addition to or instead of group therapy. Finally, group therapy is not meant for people in crisis or those having suicidal thoughts.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911, but be aware that police will likely be the first responders.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911, but be aware that police will likely be the first responders.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, most insurance companies do not cover group therapy or support groups. This is because health insurance companies generally only cover services that are deemed medically necessary, such as individual talk therapy or psychiatry. Group therapy does not usually fit this definition.
Generally, online therapy sessions or support groups meet for 60 to 90 minutes. Some groups require an eight- to 12-week commitment, while others are ongoing.
Article SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Group therapy in substance use treatment.Sander S, Strizzi JM, Øverup CS, Cipric A, Hald GM.When love hurts – mental and physical health among recently divorced Danes.Front Psychol. 2020;11:578083. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.578083Verhallen AM, Renken RJ, Marsman JC, Ter Horst GJ.Romantic relationship breakup: An experimental model to study effects of stress on depression (-like) symptoms.PLoS ONE. 2019;14(5):e0217320. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0217320McKiernan A, Ryan P, McMahon E, Butler E.Qualitative analysis of interactions on an online discussion forum for young people with experience of romantic relationship breakup.Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2017;20(2):78-82. doi:10.1089/cyber.2016.0450
Article Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Group therapy in substance use treatment.Sander S, Strizzi JM, Øverup CS, Cipric A, Hald GM.When love hurts – mental and physical health among recently divorced Danes.Front Psychol. 2020;11:578083. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.578083Verhallen AM, Renken RJ, Marsman JC, Ter Horst GJ.Romantic relationship breakup: An experimental model to study effects of stress on depression (-like) symptoms.PLoS ONE. 2019;14(5):e0217320. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0217320McKiernan A, Ryan P, McMahon E, Butler E.Qualitative analysis of interactions on an online discussion forum for young people with experience of romantic relationship breakup.Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2017;20(2):78-82. doi:10.1089/cyber.2016.0450
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Group therapy in substance use treatment.Sander S, Strizzi JM, Øverup CS, Cipric A, Hald GM.When love hurts – mental and physical health among recently divorced Danes.Front Psychol. 2020;11:578083. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.578083Verhallen AM, Renken RJ, Marsman JC, Ter Horst GJ.Romantic relationship breakup: An experimental model to study effects of stress on depression (-like) symptoms.PLoS ONE. 2019;14(5):e0217320. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0217320McKiernan A, Ryan P, McMahon E, Butler E.Qualitative analysis of interactions on an online discussion forum for young people with experience of romantic relationship breakup.Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2017;20(2):78-82. doi:10.1089/cyber.2016.0450
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Group therapy in substance use treatment.
Sander S, Strizzi JM, Øverup CS, Cipric A, Hald GM.When love hurts – mental and physical health among recently divorced Danes.Front Psychol. 2020;11:578083. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.578083
Verhallen AM, Renken RJ, Marsman JC, Ter Horst GJ.Romantic relationship breakup: An experimental model to study effects of stress on depression (-like) symptoms.PLoS ONE. 2019;14(5):e0217320. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0217320
McKiernan A, Ryan P, McMahon E, Butler E.Qualitative analysis of interactions on an online discussion forum for young people with experience of romantic relationship breakup.Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2017;20(2):78-82. doi:10.1089/cyber.2016.0450
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