Support Group vs. Therapy Group: What’s the Difference?

When you're looking for emotional support or connection, it’s common to come across both support groups and therapy groups. While they may seem similar on the surface — people coming together to talk and share — there are important differences in their purpose, structure, and facilitation.

As a relationship coach and graduate student in mental health counseling, I often help people navigate these options and figure out what kind of support is right for them. Let’s break it down.

What Is a Support Group?

A support group is a safe, non-judgmental space where people with similar experiences come together to share, listen, and connect. The goal is emotional support, community, and mutual understanding — not treatment.

In a support group, you might:

• Share personal experiences and challenges

• Feel heard, seen, and less alone

• Give and receive encouragement

• Learn from others who are navigating similar situations

  
  

Support groups are usually peer-based and may be facilitated by a coach, community leader, or someone with lived experience — not necessarily a licensed therapist. These groups can be incredibly healing, but they are not therapy and don’t offer clinical interventions.

What Is a Therapy Group?

A therapy group is a form of mental health treatment led by a licensed therapist. These groups are structured around specific goals, such as managing anxiety, processing trauma, or improving relationships.

In a therapy group, you might:

• Explore deeper emotional patterns and pain

• Receive guidance using evidence-based therapy techniques

• Work through mental health issues in a safe, clinical setting

• Develop insight and coping skills in a therapeutic environment

  
  

Therapy groups are part of formal mental health care and often involve assessment, confidentiality agreements, and treatment planning. They’re typically appropriate for individuals dealing with psychological distress or mental health diagnoses.

Which One Is Right for You?

If you’re looking for a community where you can feel understood, connect with others, and receive mutual support — without diving into deep therapeutic work — a support group could be a wonderful place to start.

If you're working through unresolved trauma, emotional pain, or mental health symptoms that impact your daily life, a therapy group led by a licensed professional may be a better fit.

My Role and Offerings

As a relationship coach and graduate mental health counseling student, I lead support groups that offer compassionate, connection-based spaces for growth and healing. These groups are not therapy — but they are powerful, meaningful, and trauma-informed.

If you're curious about joining a support group or want help deciding what kind of support would serve you best, I’d love to connect.