Group Therapy and Support Groups in Columbus, OH (original) (raw)

Support Groups in Columbus, OH

Breakup to Breakthrough is an 6 week program designed to support you in moving through the pain of heartbreak and into a place of deeper healing and self-discovery. This program is more than just a space to vent, it is a place to rebuild. Together, we’ll process grief, challenge patterns like emotional self-harm, strengthen your sense of identity, and explore what healthy love looks like including the relationship you have with yourself. Each week, you’ll engage in meaningful conversations, learn coping skills, complete reflective activities, and gain insight into your past relationship dynamics in a supportive and nonjudgmental environment.

Photo of Francesca Festa, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, MA, LPCC-S, CCATP

Hosted by Francesca Festa

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, MA, LPCC-S, CCATP

*Please enquire if group has current openings.*. Growing Together is a therapeutic support group designed for any woman caring for or involved in the raising of a child. The goal is to form a supportive and open village of women who will grow as a parent or caregiver, learn about themselves and how they are in the world and as parents, and perhaps most importantly hear from other women about their struggles and how we might better navigate them. We'll be looking at all of the topics covered from the perspective of ourselves and how our struggles play out in our parenting style.

Photo of Libby Steele, Counselor, LPCC-S

Northwoods Clinic is a multi specialty behavioral health clinic that includes individual therapists, couple and family therapists, psychologists and psychiatric services. The clinic (and therapists) are members of The Medical Group of Ohio and Health4, an accountable care organization through The MGO. Therefore, all members of the clinic are panel providers for those insurance companies that have contracted with The MGO and Health4.

Photo of Keeli L. Vicencio, Counselor, LPCC, R-DMT

Hosted by Keeli L. Vicencio

Our Grief Recovery Method Support Groups offer a safe, evidence-based environment for grievers to take effective and lasting action, no matter the type of loss experienced. These groups are led by Grief Recovery Method Specialists, trained and certified by the Grief Recovery Institute. Grief is the normal and natural emotional response to loss, but most of the information we’ve learned about dealing with loss is intellectual. Although our Grief Support Groups involve some educational elements, effective Grief Recovery must deal with your broken heart, which requires emotional support instead of intellectual explanations.

Photo of William C Crowe, Drug & Alcohol Counselor, LICDC, AGRMS

Hosted by William C Crowe

Drug & Alcohol Counselor, LICDC, AGRMS

Breakup to Breakthrough is an 8 week group designed to support you in moving through the pain of heartbreak and into a place of deeper healing and self-discovery. This group is more than just a space to vent, it is a place to rebuild. Together, we’ll process grief, challenge patterns like emotional self-harm, strengthen your sense of identity, and explore what healthy love looks like including the relationship you have with yourself. Each week, you’ll engage in meaningful conversations, learn coping skills, complete reflective activities, and gain insight into your past relationship dynamics in a supportive and nonjudgmental environment.

Photo of D C W - Dragonfly Counseling & Wellness, Counselor

Hosted by Dragonfly Counseling & Wellness

BBS was born from the lived experience and vision of its founder, who personally struggled to get clear answers about what was truly going on beneath the surface. Even after treating anxiety, concerns continued to emerge, leading to the realization that something deeper had been overlooked. Like so many others, she encountered firsthand how difficult it can be to find providers who are truly knowledgeable, curious, and intentional about identifying and supporting autism and ADHD, especially in individuals who have been misdiagnosed or missed altogether.

Photo of Rebecca Smith, Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, LICDC, BCBC

Hosted by Rebecca Smith

Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, LICDC, BCBC

Anxiety can be a painful, debilitating condition that robs you of a good life. Learn how to manage your anxiety for a lifetime with the help and support of others who live and understand what you're going through. One member comments, "I don't go to group for advice-I go to be with people who understand. Their feedback is important to hear." An individual session is required prior to joining the group and concurrent individual therapy with a therapist is strongly recommended.

Photo of Pat Ahl, Counselor, MSEd, LPCC, NCC, BC-TMH

Hosted by Pat Ahl

Counselor, MSEd, LPCC, NCC, BC-TMH

Finances and Feelings is a 4-Week Journey to Financial and Emotional Empowerment; it is designed for women and individuals navigating financial distress and emotional overwhelm. Blending financial education with therapeutic self-reflection, this group helps participants uncover their money story, heal past patterns, and build skills for a more secure and empowered future. Each 1-hour session includes journaling prompts, mindfulness practices, and guided discussions in a safe, supportive environment. Upon completion of this group, you will understand the emotional roots of financial habits, build confidence in personal money management, establish healthy financial boundaries, and create a vision for financial peace and personal empowerment.

Photo of Dr. Ashley Lowe-Simmons - Conversations With A Clinician, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LISW, LCSW-C

Hosted by Conversations With A Clinician

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LISW, LCSW-C

The group is designed for Adolescents/Teenagers struggling with disordered eating patterns and negative body image, and those looking to gain better understanding of disordered eating patterns and improve body image. The group will focus on learning effects of disordered eating patterns, ways to practice body neutrality, and strategies for overcoming obstacles for change. Topics that will be explored in sessions include: body image, disordered eating patterns, diet culture, social media influences on eating/body image, impacts on disordered eating on growing bodies, and what regular eating patterns look like.

Photo of Danielle van Arsdale, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LSW

Hosted by Danielle van Arsdale

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LSW

Mondays OR Wednesdays 11:30a EST. Therapy group for Therapists experiencing compassion fatigue, burnout, stress, grief, depression, anxiety, life transitions & adjustment. The goal is to have a confidential space to be able to process & get support around being a mental health provider in the midst of our own mental health struggles & growth. As a member of PSYPACT, group is open to mental health providers from 38 states. States can be found here: www.drellenbronder.com. Therapists include: psychologists, therapists, counselors, social workers and psychiatrists.

Photo of Dr. Ellen Bronder, Psychologist, PhD

Hosted by Dr. Ellen Bronder

Struggling to manage emotions or react calmly under stress? The 8-Week DBT 1-on-1 Counseling Series, provides short-term, individualized support to help teens (13–18) and adults build long-term emotional balance. Through weekly sessions, participants learn Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills that enhance mindfulness, increase distress tolerance, and strengthen healthy coping strategies. This series focuses on helping you find calm, manage impulsivity, and develop the emotional tools needed for greater stability, confidence, and stronger relationships — Enroll NOW, begins January 2026. Spots will fill up quickly!

Photo of Cat Hickman, Counselor, CT

Join us at The Marriage and Family Institute for an 8-week DBT teen group. This group will meet weekly each Monday evening for 90 minutes to reflect and learn skills to regulate emotions. ? Ages 13-16. All genders are welcome. Please contact Kyla Beecham, LISW-S at Kbeecham@marriageandfamilyinstitute.net for prescreening details.

Photo of Dr. Sarah R. Cordonnier, Counselor, EdD, LPCC-S

Hosted by Dr. Sarah R. Cordonnier

Friends Like us is an in-person social-emotional group for neurodivergent and neurotypical children 8-14 who would benefit from topics such as: Being proactive, optimistic thinking, stress management, assertiveness, negative thinking traps, emotion regulation, self-esteem, and problem-solving. This group is an 8-week group offered seasonally offered in Worthington, Ohio. Summer session begins early June 2022.

Photo of Kathleen Cruse-Grasser, Counselor, MS, LPCC-S

Hosted by Kathleen Cruse-Grasser

Starks Counseling, in partnership with the Columbus Department of Health, offers a traumatic grief support group for parents of children who have died due to violence. The group meets the 3rd Monday of each month at the Columbus Department of Health, 240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, OH, Room 119E. The support group is free. Food is provided and $20 Visa Gift cards are given each month. Please email starkscounseling72@gmail.com to RSVP.

Photo of Stephanie K Starks - Starks Counseling & Consultation Services, LLC, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LISW-S

Hosted by Starks Counseling & Consultation Services, LLC

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LISW-S

A weekly skills education group for people struggling with eating disorders and long standing patterns of behavior interfering with forming relationships, maintaining mental health and using effective coping skills. Insurance not required, group is 35persession.Requiresasix−monthcommitmentandorientationsession,costis35 per session. Requires a six-month commitment and orientation session, cost is 35persession.Requiresasix−monthcommitmentandorientationsession,costis60. Day and evening group available. If interested, discuss with your therapist or contact Amy directly; email is best.

Photo of Dr. Amy Avery, Counselor, LPCC-S, DMin, MACM, MDiv, EMDR

Hosted by Dr. Amy Avery

Counselor, LPCC-S, DMin, MACM, MDiv, EMDR

Emily Flores offers expressive arts therapy in Columbus, Ohio through 1:1 online sessions for teens & adults. Expressive Arts uses art and journaling prompts to explore thoughts and emotions in a creative way. No art experience needed. Email to schedule or visit my website to learn more.

Photo of Emily Flores, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LISW, MSW

Hosted by Emily Flores

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LISW, MSW

This group teaches skills to adults with ADHD or those who struggle with executive function difficulties (planning, organization, time management, and emotion regulation). We cover these skills because medication often doesn't help with these aspects of ADHD and patients still struggle with them despite medication changes or dose adjustments. This group is currently being offered virtually on an ongoing weekly basis.

Photo of Matthew Lowe - Providers for Healthy Living, Treatment Center

Hosted by Providers for Healthy Living

Redefined Behavioral Health and Wellness is a culturally responsive, trauma-informed mental health group serving individuals, families, and communities across Ohio. Our diverse team of licensed clinicians, peer supporters, and case managers provides therapy, substance use recovery, and wellness services tailored to each client’s needs. We specialize in supporting marginalized populations, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, veterans, and families impacted by trauma. At Redefined, healing is approached holistically—through clinical care, community connection, and empowerment. We are committed to helping clients redefine their lives with dignity, resilience, and purpose.

Photo of Jesse Sanders, PhD

The world has been a hectic and a traumatic place over the past year, especially for first responders. This group will provide a secure place for first responders to process the trauma they see and the stress they experience on a day-to-day basis. Even heroes need help sometimes. This is a group for former and current first responders (police, firefighters, and EMT’s). Proof of service required to join. Thank you all for your service.

Photo of Kellen Weber, Licensed Professional Counselor, MEd, LPCC-S

Hosted by Kellen Weber

Licensed Professional Counselor, MEd, LPCC-S

Having a interactive group where people share what works for them and what doesn't.

Photo of Mark Stanley, Psychiatrist, DO

Having a interactive group where people share what works for them and what doesn't.

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FAQs - About Group Therapy and Support Groups

How can I find a support group in Columbus?

To find a support group in your area, start by entering your city, zip code, or the name of the group into the search bar at the top of the page. When searching, consider whether you prefer an in-person or virtual group. This can help you decide how broad your geographic search should be. If you are open to virtual groups, you might want to search by state instead of just your city, especially if there are limited options nearby.

Once you complete your search, you can use the filters to narrow the results by selecting specialties (such as grief, trauma, or eating disorders), therapeutic approaches, age groups, and other criteria to find a group that best fits your needs.

How does group therapy work?

Group therapy is led by one or more trained therapists and provides a space where participants can process their experiences and learn from others facing similar challenges. Groups may focus on a specific issue—such as addiction, grief, physical illnesses, parenting, or caregiving—or they may center around a particular therapeutic approach, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), social skill development, or Exposure Therapy. Some groups are also designed for specific populations, such as teens, veterans, or LGBTQ+ individuals.

It’s also important to distinguish group therapy from peer-led support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous. While both can offer valuable support, therapy groups are typically led by licensed professionals and follow a more structured format. Therapy groups often meet for a fixed length of time with a consistent group of members, while many peer support groups meet for an indefinite period of time with members coming and going.

What are the benefits of group therapy?

Group therapy offers several important benefits. It brings together people facing similar challenges—whether related to mental health, physical health, or life transitions—and creates a supportive environment where participants can exchange feedback, share experiences, and learn from one another. Hearing different perspectives can help individuals discover new coping strategies and practical tools they may not have encountered on their own. Sharing personal experiences, such as coping with a serious illness or navigating family struggles, can also reduce feelings of isolation and foster a sense of connection and understanding. In addition to emotional support, group members often gain useful, real-world advice from peers who have faced similar situations.

Group therapy is typically more affordable than individual therapy and, for certain conditions, can be equally effective. Many groups also include structured activities—such as guided journaling, cognitive-behavioral exercises, or role-playing—to help participants develop concrete skills they can apply in daily life.

Is group therapy as effective as individual therapy?

It is difficult to make a blanket statement about the effectiveness of support groups, as they vary widely in focus and the conditions they address. However, support groups can be highly valuable in helping individuals gain emotional support and achieve meaningful treatment outcomes. For certain conditions, such as substance use, research has shown that group therapy can be particularly effective—sometimes just as effective as individual therapy—in supporting long-term recovery.

Many professionals attribute the effectiveness of group therapy to the unique benefits of the group setting, which fosters peer-to-peer learning and a sense of connection through shared experiences. Group settings also offer accountability and encouragement from both facilitators and fellow participants, which helps sustain motivation and supports continued progress. These factors together play a key role in promoting the overall effectiveness of group therapy.

How much does group therapy cost?

Group therapy is typically less expensive than individual therapy, with sessions typically costing between 50and50 and 50and75 each. In comparison, individual therapy can cost anywhere from 100to100 to 100to200 or more per session, even with insurance. Some therapists or organizations offer low-cost or free group therapy options, particularly through community centers or nonprofit organizations. In some cases, groups may require payment upfront for a set number of sessions, such as paying for six weekly sessions at the first meeting. However, many providers offer payment plans to help make participation more accessible if this upfront payment is required.

Does insurance cover group therapy?

As with individual therapy, insurance coverage for group therapy varies based on factors such as your specific insurance plan, the purpose of the group, your diagnosis, and whether the group provider is in-network. Many insurance plans cover group therapy sessions that address diagnosable mental health conditions, such as substance use disorders, anxiety, or depression.

However, groups that focus on topics not directly tied to a mental health diagnosis—such as parenting support or divorce recovery—are less likely to be covered. Because coverage can vary widely, it’s important to check with your insurance provider before joining a group to confirm whether the sessions will be covered and what out-of-pocket costs you may be responsible for.

How long does group therapy last?

The length of each group therapy session typically ranges from 45 minutes to two hours, depending on the therapy approach, the group’s goals, and how often the group meets. In some cases, group therapy is part of a larger treatment program, such as an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), where group sessions complement individual therapy and are scheduled as part of the program’s overall structure.

The duration of participation in a group also varies. Some groups are designed to be short-term, lasting anywhere from 6 to 24 weeks—for example, bereavement groups or skills-based groups like those using Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Other groups may be longer-term, lasting a year or more, and some ongoing support groups meet indefinitely, allowing participants to stay as long as they find the group helpful.

What are the limitations of support groups?

Support groups offer many benefits, but they also have certain limitations. Unlike therapy groups, many support groups do not provide formal therapeutic treatment and are not led by licensed mental health professionals. For individuals seeking clinical treatment for specific mental health diagnoses—such as depression, eating disorders, or substance use—individual therapy or group therapy led by a licensed professional may offer more personalized and specialized care.

The effectiveness of a support group also depends heavily on the group’s participants and the overall group dynamic. When members engage respectfully and offer constructive support, the group can foster valuable peer-to-peer learning. However, if certain participants dominate discussions, provide inaccurate advice, or create conflict, it can disrupt the group’s sense of safety and reduce its effectiveness. Confidentiality can also be harder to maintain in support groups, particularly in open groups where participants can join or leave at any time. With new members regularly entering the group, it can be more difficult to build and sustain a consistent sense of trust and privacy.