There’s something truly magical about support groups. Picture this: a room (or virtual space) filled with people who “get it.” They’ve walked similar paths, wrestled with familiar struggles, and—best of all—they’re showing up, just like you.
As a therapist, I’ve facilitated over two thousand therapy groups, not counting all the support and supervision groups I’ve attended. That’s a lot of group power, and I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound difference these spaces can make in people’s lives.
You’re not alone (and that’s a big deal)
In my years of offering individual therapy, I’ve seen how isolated people can become, especially during difficult times. I often wish I could just group people together and say, “Oh my gosh, do you know how much you all have in common?” A support group is that lifeline that says, “Hey, you’re not the only one going through this.”
It’s incredible how powerful that simple “me too” can be. When someone shares their experience and another person responds with “Oh, yeah” or “Yep!” something shifts. It’s part of self-compassion—knowing that what you’re struggling with, others have struggled with too.
Where to find your people
Support groups come in all shapes and sizes, and they’re not always called “support groups.” Mental health groups like NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offer peer-led support. Grief and loss groups can be incredibly powerful—I remember attending one after my mother passed away. I didn’t have any tissues, and my eyes and nose were just pouring—but nobody said a word about it. The relief and release were immense.
Health-related groups can be surprisingly specific. When I fractured my patella, I found an online group just for that particular injury. Through that group, I learned ninety percent of what I needed to know. Then there are groups for eating disorders, trauma recovery, perinatal support, fertility support, addiction and recovery, parenting and caregiving, and identity-based groups.
When my dog passed away, I posted in a Hovawart dog group that very night. I couldn’t believe how many people responded with phrases I’d never heard before—“Run free” and “rainbow bridge.” It warmed my heart that strangers would reach out with such understanding.
Beyond traditional support groups
But support can also come from less formal places—church groups, book clubs (even silent reading groups where people just read together), or exercise communities. I recently joined a new Pilates studio where everyone was new, and there’s something special about that shared experience of beginning something together.
The power of sharing stories
When people share parts of themselves, whether it’s a full story or just bits of experience, it creates a different level of intimacy and relationship—and you don’t have to be best friends to feel it. I’ve seen this in my online journaling classes, where even with just four or five people, something beautiful happens when we share our writings about family dynamics or holiday experiences.
Finding safety in community
Support groups might be one of the few places where judgment takes a back seat to compassion. As I used to say in my yoga classes, “If you can let go of the judgment—and if you are judging, let go of the judgment of the judgment—something shifts.” In the absence of judgment, there’s safety to show up as your authentic self.
Taking the first step
If you’re considering joining a support group, know that feeling nervous is completely normal. Yes, it can be cringy or awkward at first. Yes, you might feel resistant or uncomfortable. But remember—everyone was new at some point. Especially since COVID, when many of us feel rusty at being in groups, it’s more important than ever to find these connections.
That sense of belonging is powerful beyond measure. Whether it’s in a formal support group, a community center art class, or a local bookstore where the owner remembers your name—these connections remind us of something deeply human: we’re wired to be together, to support each other, to heal together, to grow together.