How to Find Support Groups: Where to Start and What to Expect

Ask Your Mental Health Provider

If you’re already connected with a mental health professional, they can recommend groups that align with your diagnosis or treatment plan. Providers often know which support services are active, trustworthy, and appropriate for your stage of healing.

Recovery.com is a great place to find a mental health provider or a higher level of care.

What to Expect in Your First Group Meeting

It’s normal to feel nervous at your first session. Knowing what to expect can ease anxiety. Each group can be different, but there are generally similar things to expect in support groups.

• Sharing is optional: You may be invited to share, but you can always pass. You also don’t have “perform” or present a perfect version of yourself. You can be sad, sit in silence, or simply pass and not share. All feelings and types of shares are welcome.
  
• A safe space: Groups should maintain confidentiality and respect, and it’s essential to note that group trust often develops over time. It’s normal for a group to be quiet or feel awkward at first. The natural rhythm of the group and the relationships with other group members will strengthen as time passes.
  
• Not therapy: Peer groups are for sharing and listening—not diagnosing or treating. There’s no pressure to fix or solve anything. The group is about being together and honest connection, not providing solutions to everyone’s problems.
  
• Facilitators set the tone: Peer or professional facilitators guide the discussion and ensure emotional safety.
  
• You’re not alone: Most participants are new or have felt nervous, too. Remember, trust builds over time. You can give a group a chance to see if it’s the right fit for you. Or you can try other groups to see if you might feel more comfortable in a different style of gathering or setting.
  

It’s important to remember that different support groups offer different things. Keep looking for the right group if the first group you try does not fit your needs or what you are looking for. Support groups can be a powerful part of recovery, but finding the right fit may take time. 

Try attending more than one group before deciding what works for you. Show up regularly to build trust and connection. Respect others’ boundaries and confidentiality, and be honest without pressuring yourself to share before you’re ready. 

Take in what’s helpful, and leave behind what doesn’t serve you.

Support groups bring therapy to life. They’re where clinical insight meets lived experience—where clients and families practice the art of being seen, heard, and held in community. That kind of connection reinforces the work done in formal treatment and adds a layer of relational healing that’s so important for the recovery journey.

Dr. Malasri Chaudhery-Malgeri, PhDChief Clinical Officer at Recovery.com

Support from Social Media and Online Communities

Social media and online peer support communities¹ can offer valuable support and empowerment for mental health, but their effectiveness depends on a number of factors like the quality, organizational affiliation, and strength of moderation of the specific platform. 

Being selective about where and how you participate ensures a safer, more supportive experience.

While platforms like Meta or Reddit can be valuable sources of peer connection, they vary in quality and moderation. There is also the risk of misinformation² or bad actors. Look for groups affiliated with a known organization or those with clear group rules and active moderators.

Find Your Place of Belonging

Support groups remind us that healing doesn’t happen in isolation. Whether you’re the one looking for help or you are the person holding space for a loved one, there’s strength in finding people who’ve been there too.

You don’t have to have the right words or be in the perfect place emotionally. Just showing up is enough. The path forward may not be linear, but in community, you don’t have to walk it alone.

Let Recovery.com help you take the next step.

Browse our resources, compare options, and find the support group that brings you back to connection, clarity, and care. You can also compare treatment options near you.

FAQs

Q: How do I know if a support group is legitimate?

A: Look for groups affiliated with well-known nonprofit organizations, hospitals, or community health centers. If it’s peer-led, check for clear rules, trained facilitators, and guidelines around confidentiality and respectful sharing.

Q: What’s the difference between a support group and group therapy?

A: Support groups are peer-based and focus on shared experience. Group therapy is led by a licensed mental health professional and typically involves a clinical goal or structured treatment plan. Both can be helpful, depending on your needs.

Q: Can I join a group if I haven’t been diagnosed?

A: Yes. Many self-help and peer support groups welcome people who are struggling but haven’t received a formal diagnosis. Groups can be a starting point for those seeking clarity or community. They can also provide support after treatment.

Q: Are online support groups as effective as in-person ones?

A: Online support groups can be just as meaningful, especially for people with limited access to transportation, mobility issues, or those living in rural areas. What matters most is whether you feel seen, heard, and safe in the group.

Q: What if the group doesn’t feel like a good fit?

A: That’s okay. Not every group works for everyone. Try different group meetings until you find one where you feel comfortable. Trust your instincts—support should feel safe, not stressful.

Q: Can family members or caregivers attend support groups?

A: Absolutely. There are many family support groups and caregiver communities designed specifically to help those supporting someone with a mental health condition, substance use challenge, or disability. These spaces provide coping strategies, validation, and relief.