Therapy and Support Groups in Oakland, California
8 therapy and support groups meet in the Oakland area, with 54 more across California and 593 virtual groups open to California residents from anywhere in the US. Free to browse. No account needed.
Browse Oakland groups or see all 62 California groups
Oakland groups accepting members
Groups currently listed in the Oakland area. Every listing is written by the group leader and includes format, schedule, cost, and how to join.
PEERS — Free Peer-Run Mental Health Support — Oakland, CA
PEERS (Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services) is the premier peer-led mental health alternative in Alameda County, based in Oakland and serving the…
Contact group → Free to join
Peer Wellness Collective — Free Peer Wellness Self-Help Groups — Oakland, CA
Peer Wellness Collective is an Alameda County nonprofit supporting peer-run self-help services for people with mental health and substance use challenges. Founded in 1988,…
Contact group → Free to join
Oakland LGBTQ Center — Free LGBTQ+ Peer Support & Recovery — Oakland, CA
The Oakland LGBTQ Community Center is a nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ community members across the East Bay since 2017. Located in the Lake Merritt district,…
Contact group → Free to join
EBAC Circle of Care — Free Grief & Loss Support Groups — Oakland, CA
The East Bay Agency for Children (EBAC) Circle of Care program provides free or sliding-scale grief and loss support for children, teens, and their…
Hospice East Bay — Free Bereavement Support Groups — East Bay & Oakland, CA
Hospice of the East Bay's Bereavement Services Program provides free grief and loss support to families and community members across Contra Costa and Alameda…
Contact group → Free to join
Pacific Center — Free LGBTQ+ Peer Groups — Berkeley & Oakland, CA
The Pacific Center for Human Growth is the East Bay's longest-running LGBTQ+ community center, founded in 1973 and serving Berkeley, Oakland, and the broader…
Contact group → Free to join
More places to look
What meets in Oakland right now
Cost and insurance in California
7 of Oakland's 8 groups are free to join. Beyond those, costs span a wide range, and the range is real. Peer-led groups are usually free. Sliding-scale and community-funded groups often charge $5 to $25. Insurance-covered groups commonly involve a copay in the $20 to $50 range. Private-pay rates vary the most: some groups charge under $50 a session, while specialized programs, intensive formats, and highly credentialed facilitators price well above $100. Every listing states its own cost, so you know before you reach out. Most major insurers reimburse virtual group therapy at parity with in-person care. Always confirm coverage with your plan.
In California, the state Medicaid program is Medi-Cal. Some listed groups accept it; each listing's cost line says what it takes.
Frequently asked questions
How much do therapy groups in Oakland cost?
7 of Oakland's 8 groups are free to join. There is no single going rate. Peer-led groups are usually free, sliding-scale and community-funded groups often charge $5 to $25, and insurance-covered groups commonly involve a $20 to $50 copay. Private-pay pricing varies the most, from under $50 a session to well over $100 for specialized or intensive programs. Every listing on this directory states its own cost, and many groups offer a free intro session.
Can I join a virtual group from Oakland?
Yes. 593 virtual groups are open to California residents, and 5 of Oakland's 8 local groups run hybrid or fully virtual sessions, so you can start online and move to in-person when you are ready.
How do I know a listing is current?
Group leaders write their own listings. The directory checks each listing's details against the group's own website on a rolling basis, and listings show the date those details were last checked. That check confirms the group exists and its details match; it is not a clinical review or an endorsement.
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.
- Many counties run local warmlines for non-emergency support. Search your county name plus "warmline."
The directory will still be here when you're ready.
Run a group in Oakland? Get found.
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