A support group is a group of people who share a problem and meet to help each other. There are 2,245 support groups on The Group Guide, in every state and online. 2,012 are free to join. 398 are led by a licensed professional, and the rest are led by peers or volunteers. 621 meet online. Free to browse. No account needed. You contact the group directly.
Search support groups by topic and state Online groups you can join from anywhere
Support groups by topic
The topics with the most listed groups. Each one opens a page with the groups by state, the online groups, and what to expect.
- Mental Health (884)
- Addiction and Recovery (638)
- Caregiver Support (518)
- Coping Skills (490)
- Substance Use (336)
- Grief and Loss (330)
- Parenting (325)
- Trauma and PTSD (306)
- LGBTQ+ (305)
- Teen and Adolescent (272)
- Depression (247)
- Relationship Issues (239)
- Anxiety (237)
- Older Adult and Aging (213)
- Autism and Neurodivergent (149)
- Women's Issues (145)
- Chronic Pain and Illness (134)
- Chronic Illness and Disability (126)
What a support group is like
Most groups meet once a week or once a month, for about an hour, in a room or on a video call. The leader opens, people check in, and anyone who wants to can talk. Nobody has to share. Peer groups are run by people who have lived through the same thing. Groups led by a licensed professional have treatment goals and are closer to therapy. Both kinds are listed here, and each listing says which it is.
How to choose a support group
- Start with the topic. A grief group and a depression group feel different. Pick the one closest to what you are carrying.
- Decide on the format. In person builds connection faster. Online is easier to get to and easier to leave if it is not right.
- Check who leads it. A peer leader means shared experience. A licensed professional means treatment.
- Check the cost. It is on every listing, before you contact anyone.
- Try one meeting. You do not have to talk. Many people try two or three groups before one fits.
Questions about support groups
What is a support group?
A support group is a group of people who share a problem and meet to help each other. A peer leader, a volunteer, or a licensed professional runs it. Members talk about what is happening, trade what has worked, and listen. It is not treatment, and nobody has to share. Many people go to a support group alongside therapy or instead of it.
Are support groups free?
Most are. 2,012 of the 2,245 groups on The Group Guide are free to join. Peer-led groups run by nonprofits like NAMI, DBSA, and hospice grief programs are almost always free. Groups led by a therapist often charge a fee per meeting, and some take insurance. Every listing shows the cost before you contact anyone.
How do I find a support group near me?
Use the search on this site. Pick a topic, then your state, or choose online to see groups you can join from home. Each listing says where and when the group meets, what it costs, and how to join. You do not need an account. Every state has at least one listed group, and 765 groups take members from any state.
What is the difference between a support group and group therapy?
A support group is run by peers or volunteers and is built on shared experience. Group therapy is run by a licensed clinician, has treatment goals, and is a form of mental health care. Both can help. On this site, listings led by a licensed professional are marked, so you can tell which is which.
What happens at a first support group meeting?
Most meetings last about an hour. The leader opens, people say a few words about why they came, and anyone who wants to talks. You can say you would rather listen. Many groups have a few simple rules, like keeping what is said in the room. It is normal to feel nervous the first time, and it is fine to try two or three groups before one fits.
Can I join an online support group from another state?
For peer-led groups, yes. They are open to anyone with an internet connection. Therapist-led online groups usually serve only the states where the leader is licensed. Each listing says which states it serves.
If you need help now
A support group is not crisis care. If you or someone you know is struggling right now:
- Call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Free, confidential, 24/7.
- If you are afraid of your partner, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788.