Structure of support groups

A nonprofit advocacy organization, clinic, hospital or community organization may offer support groups. Support groups also may be unrelated to any organization. Group members may lead them.

Support groups are often offered as in-person meetings, telephone conferences or online groups. A layperson often leads and organizes a support group. This leader is often someone who shares or has shared the group's common experience. But a group also may be led by a health professional, such as a nurse, social worker, or a mental health professional.

Some support groups may offer chances to learn. For example, the group organizer may ask a guest speaker to attend. The guest speaker may be a healthcare or mental health professional, nurse, or social worker who talks about a topic related to the group's needs.

Support groups are different from group therapy sessions. Group therapy is a type of mental health treatment that brings together many people with similar conditions. For example, a group of people who have long-lasting — called chronic — pain, depression or anxiety may be in group therapy. Mental health professionals lead these groups.