Treating a group of people who have similar problems and meet regularly with a trained counselor.

Table of Contents Show

Types of support groups
Value of support groups
Finding a support group
Things to be aware of with support groups
Where to get help

A support group is a group of people meeting to share information, experiences, problems and solutions.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by an illness or condition, talking with people who have been through the same experience can help.
Find a support group by asking your local doctor or asking other people with the same condition as you.
Once you consider joining a support group, see what you can find out about it.

Support groups allow you to interact and connect with people who have been in a similar situation to you. Sharing information about similar experiences can help you understand more about your own situation and give you an opportunity to feel ‘heard’. A support group is a meeting of people – either physically or online – to share information, experiences, problems and solutions, often relating to health or social problems.

Types of support groups

Support groups can be general or specific and may be useful for you or for your family members and carers.
There are lots of support groups in Australia. Many have regular meetings held in places like healthcare services, community centres, local halls or council meeting rooms. They may have guest speakers or participants who share their experiences, along with refreshments and time for socialising. Other support groups are online and offer a variety of ways to connect with people from all round the world, who are also going through a similar experience. You may interact with others in online support groups via message boards, chat forums and social media.

Value of support groups

Support groups allow you to share your experiences with people who have been in or are currently experiencing a similar situation.

Support groups can help you in many ways by:

showing you that you are not alone
providing you with emotional and social support
helping you develop new skills and adjust to your situation
allowing you to share information about your situation and how you feel
discussing things like symptoms, treatment and side effects
offering advice and a place to learn from others
giving tips on how to live with your condition or illness
improving motivation.

In an online health support group, you can stay anonymous if you want to, which can be important if you feel embarrassed about your condition or feel apprehensive about speaking openly with others. It doesn’t matter where you live, you don’t have to leave your home to join in. With message boards and social media, you can be part of the group at any time of day or night. All you need is a computer or tablet with internet access.

Finding a support group

To find a support group, you can:

ask your doctor or specialist
check with staff at your local hospital or community health centre
ask someone you know who has experience with the same condition or healthcare need
look online or in the phone book
search the Services & support gateway on this website.

Before joining a support group, see what you can find out about it and its reputation. Look at the group's website or contact the organiser directly and ask:

who runs the group (check if it has a religious or particular philosophical bias)
how the group is funded (there may be a conflict of interest if it is funded by a particular company or organisation.
will you have to pay a membership fee)
where the group meets and how often
how the group works (it may be ongoing, where new members can join at any time, or it may run for a set number of weeks with the same members there every week)
why the group was formed and what its purpose is (it may have been formed by people opposed to a particular treatment, or by researchers trying to recruit people for a study)
where the group gets its information from (is it based on quality research or on the experience of people with a particular condition? Both are valid, but it is good to know this before you join).

Things to be aware of with support groups

Support groups are often run by volunteers or people who have had experience with the condition. They may not be healthcare professionals or trained counsellors. If you receive advice about treatments or healthcare professionals, check with a healthcare professional you trust, such as your local doctor, before starting on a new treatment regimen or using a new or additional service.Tell your doctor if you plan to stop the treatment they have prescribed and explain why. It is important that you understand any risks involved in stopping a treatment.Find out who runs the group (including online groups). It may be a government healthcare organisation (such as the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre), a non-profit organisation (such as Alzheimer’s Australia) or someone who has experienced the condition. By knowing who runs the group, you’ll be able to find out if the group has another motivation behind it – for example, a company trying to promote its products.It’s also a good idea to check for any financial or religious ties that may influence their advice on particular matters such as treatments.

Be wary of giving out personal information to other members of the group (particularly if it is online) for example, there is no reason you need to provide you full name or date of birth to a support group and you may not wish to discuss your financial situation or give out detailed healthcare information. To find out more about your rights when it comes to privacy see our privacy and confidentiality fact sheet. [link to new fact sheet]

Where to get help

Your local doctor
Counsellor

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.

Medically Reviewed by Smitha Bhandari, MD on August 19, 2021

Group therapy, as the name implies, is a type of psychological therapy that is conducted with a group of people, rather than between an individual and mental health professional. Usually, people in the group are facing similar issues, like anxiety or addiction.

Probably the biggest advantage of group therapy is helping a patient realize that they are not alone -- that there are other people who have similar problems. This is often a revelation, and a huge relief, to the person.

Being in group therapy can also help you develop new skills to relate to others. The dynamics of a group often mirror those of society in general, and learning how to interact with the other members of the group can help you in your relationships outside the group. In addition, the members of the group who have the same problem(s) can support each other, and may offer suggestions to dealing with a particular problem that you may not have thought of.

You may be uncomfortable at first when it comes time to discuss your problems in front of strangers. However, the fact that others are facing the same type of situation as you may help you open up and discuss your feelings. In addition, everything that takes place within the group therapy session is kept confidential.

Group therapy sessions vary, but the basic format is a small group of patients meet on a regular basis to discuss their feelings and problems and provide mutual support. Unlike self-help support groups, sessions are guided by a professional therapist who is specially trained in group therapy. The therapist acts as moderator and may suggest a "theme" or topic for the group's discussion. Sometimes, the therapist will allow the group members to pick the topic for the session.

As part of the group therapy session, members try to change their old ways of behaving in favor of newer, more productive ways. Typically, there is a great deal of interaction and discussion among the members of the group. The members may also undertake specific activities, such as addressing certain fears and anxieties.

Group therapy can be helpful to people with many types of mental health problems. Like individual therapy, group therapy can benefit people with such conditions as anxiety, panic, depression, family problems, addictions, etc. In some cases, people who are taking part in group therapy will also undergo individual counseling (one-on-one with a therapist).

The makeup of the group varies; in some cases, the group consists of people who have the same condition (for example, depression). In other cases, the group is mixed.

Group therapy is typically covered by medical insurance. Contact your insurance company for specifics on your coverage. Also, group therapy is often provided for free by non-profit groups, hospitals, etc.