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The Group Guide
Connecting people to community
Client and Family Education
What to know about

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) groups

A CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) group is a structured, skill-focused group led by a licensed therapist. Each session follows a set agenda, with the aim of noticing how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect, and practicing how to change the patterns that keep you stuck.

Who it's for, and who it's not

Best if you're ready to practice skills and do a little homework between meetings.
Not the right fit during an acute crisis. If you're in crisis, call or text 988 first.
Not drop-in. Most groups run 8 to 20 sessions, and you join and finish with the same people.

What it's used for

Depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorder.
OCD (through a version called ERP), PTSD, and eating disorders.
Insomnia, chronic pain, and substance use.
What to expect
1Sessions usually run 60 to 90 minutes, with a set topic each week.
2The leader teaches a skill; the group discusses and practices it together.
3You'll often get a handout, and something to try before the next meeting.
4More structured than a support group. You won't spend most of it on how your week went.

CBT has more research behind it than almost any other psychological approach, in both individual and group formats.

A meta-analysis of 31 studies found brief group CBT significantly improved depression, anxiety, and self-esteem.1
Group CBT for depression works when delivered by a range of trained professionals, not only psychologists.2
For generalized anxiety, group CBT outperformed waitlist across 52 randomized trials.3
Making the most of it
Do the practice. Skills work when rehearsed in daily life.
Bring real examples. Your week is the raw material.
Clumsy is normal. Early awkwardness is learning, not failure.
Questions to ask before you join
1Who leads the group, and what is their CBT training?
2What does it cost? Is there a free or sliding scale option?
3How many sessions are there, and can I still join now?
4How much homework is there between sessions?

Ready to find a group?

Browse 2,000+ therapy and support groups in all 50 states.

Free to browse  ·  No account needed  ·  thegroupguide.com

In crisis? Call or text 988 (US Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 24/7).

The Group Guide is a directory, not a clinic. This handout is general education, not medical or mental health advice. Listings are written by group leaders and are not endorsements. Confirm details, cost, and fit with any group you contact. Sources on page 2.

The Group Guide
Connecting people to community
Client and Family Education

Sources

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) groups · references keyed to the numbers on page 1.

1Zhuo, C., et al. Effectiveness of brief group CBT on mental health outcomes. Psychiatry Research (2025).

2Wong, C. P. S., et al. Effectiveness of group CBT for depression in adults. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (2024).

3Cuijpers, P., et al. A network meta-analysis of CBT delivery formats for generalized anxiety disorder. Translational Psychiatry (2025).

In crisis? Call or text 988 (US Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 24/7).

The Group Guide is a directory, not a clinic. This handout is general education, not medical or mental health advice. Listings are written by group leaders and are not endorsements. Confirm details, cost, and fit with any group you contact.