Two pages, letter size. The plain set is free to share. All handouts
The Group Guide
Connecting people to community
Client and Family Education
What to know about groups for

Depression

Depression is common, and it can make it hard to enjoy things, get through the day, or believe things will get better. Groups aren't a stand-in for care from a licensed provider, but several kinds have real research behind them, either as treatment or as a valid add-on to other care.

What counts as "therapy"

When a licensed clinician leads a group with a clinical purpose, that's group therapy. Peer support and psychoeducation are backed by evidence too, but they're a different category: valuable support, not a replacement for assessment and treatment by a licensed professional.

Why a group can work for depression

You're not the only one. Depression tells you you're alone in it. A room of people who get it quietly says otherwise.
Less shame, said out loud. Hearing someone name what you've felt makes it feel less like a personal failing.
Easier to reach. Groups usually cost less than individual therapy, and many peer groups are free.
Six kinds of groups with evidence behind them
1CBT groupsA therapist leads the group through skills for shifting the thought patterns that feed depression. Research puts this close to individual therapy in how much it helps.1
2IPT groups (interpersonal)Works through relationships and life changes tied to depression: a loss, a role change, a conflict. Gains hold months after the group ends.2
3Peer support groupsLed or co-led by people with lived experience. Build hope and connection, though on their own they tend to help less than a trained professional.3
4MBCT groups (mindfulness)Mindfulness meditation plus cognitive skills. Best evidence is for preventing relapse in people who've had depression before, not a first episode.4
5Behavioral activation groupsA simpler, skills-based focus on rebuilding activity and routine rather than examining thoughts. Works as well as CBT and antidepressants for many.5
6Psychoeducation groupsA structured, workbook-style curriculum (the "Coping with Depression" model). Smaller effect, but strong for preventing a first episode.6

Does it work? More than one kind of group can help.

A 2024 review of 33 trials found CBT groups meaningfully cut symptoms, especially when a psychologist led.1 Behavioral activation matched CBT and antidepressants head-to-head.5 Mindfulness groups cut relapse risk by about a third for recurrent depression,4 and psychoeducation lowered the risk of a first episode.6 The right fit depends on what you want, and whether this is a first episode or a recurrence.

What this handout is not
Not a diagnosis. Only a licensed provider can diagnose depression.
Not a replacement for crisis care. Thoughts of suicide? Call or text 988 first.
Not a stand-in for individual therapy or a medication evaluation. Groups work best alongside your other care.
Questions to ask before you join
1What approach does it use: CBT, IPT, behavioral activation, mindfulness, psychoeducation, or peer support?
2Who leads the group, and what is their training?
3What does it cost? Is there a free or sliding-scale option?
4How does the group handle it if someone is having thoughts of self-harm?

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

Depression · references keyed to the numbers on page 1.

1Group CBT

Kef, K., et al. (2024). Effectiveness of group cognitive behavioral therapy for depression in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of delivery by different healthcare professionals. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 53(3). doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2024.2313741

Okumura, Y., & Ichikura, K. (2014). Efficacy and acceptability of group cognitive behavioral therapy for depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 164, 155–164.

2Group interpersonal therapy (IPT-G)

Bolton, P., et al. (2003). Group interpersonal psychotherapy for depression in rural Uganda: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 289(23), 3117–3124.

Petersen, T. J. (2006). Enhancing the efficacy of interpersonal psychotherapy: A case study. American Journal of Psychotherapy.

Ayele, T. A., et al. (2021). Acceptability and feasibility of peer-administered group interpersonal therapy for depression for people living with HIV/AIDS. Pilot and Feasibility Studies.

3Peer support groups

Lyons, N., Cooper, C., & Lloyd-Evans, B. (2021). A systematic review and meta-analysis of group peer support interventions for people experiencing mental health conditions. BMC Psychiatry, 21, 315. doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03321-z

Pfeiffer, P. N., et al. (2011). Efficacy of peer support interventions for depression: A meta-analysis. General Hospital Psychiatry, 33(1), 29–36.

Docherty, M., et al. (2022). Effectiveness of peer support interventions for adults with depressive symptoms. Journal of Mental Health.

4Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)

Piet, J., & Hougaard, E. (2011). The effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for prevention of relapse in recurrent major depressive disorder. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(6), 1032–1040. doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2011.05.002

McCartney, M., et al. (2021). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for prevention and time to depressive relapse. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 143(1), 6–21. doi.org/10.1111/acps.13242

5Group behavioral activation

Chu, S., Wong, W. C., & Sharpe, L. (2019). Acceptability and efficacy of group behavioral activation for depression among adults: A meta-analysis. Behaviour Research and Therapy.

Richards, D. A., et al. (2014). Behavioural activation for depression: An update of meta-analysis of effectiveness and subgroup analysis. PLOS ONE, 9(6), e100100. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0100100

6Psychoeducation / "Coping with Depression"

Cuijpers, P., Muñoz, R. F., Clarke, G. N., & Lewinsohn, P. M. (2009). Psychoeducational treatment and prevention of depression: The "Coping with Depression" course thirty years later. Clinical Psychology Review, 29(5), 449–458. doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2009.04.005

Dalgard, O. S. (2006). A randomized controlled trial of a psychoeducational group program for unipolar depression in adults in Norway. Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health, 2, 15.

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.