What it is
CBT groups and workshops bring several people together to explore cognitive behavioral ideas in a guided, skills-focused format. Rather than one-on-one therapy, they tend to be educational and practical, with a shared focus on learning tools that participants can try in everyday life.
Common formats include ongoing CBT groups, shorter anxiety and depression workshops, and online skills courses. Some meet in person, others gather virtually, and many follow a general theme so everyone is working toward similar skills at the same time.
These programs are typically about learning and support, not diagnosis or treatment. People often join to understand how thoughts, feelings and behaviors connect, and to practice skills in a space where they can hear how others are applying the same ideas.
How it’s traditionally been approached
Cognitive and behavioral approaches have long been taught in group settings as well as individually. The idea that thoughts influence feelings and actions has been studied and explored for many years, and group formats grew as a way to share these concepts more widely.
Historically, people seeking help were often limited to individual sessions or self-guided reading. Over time, workshops and structured courses became a familiar way to learn skills in a community, blending education with practice.
Today, CBT groups and online skills courses are a common part of the broader landscape. Many people pair group learning with individual support, while others use groups as a standalone way to build skills and connect with people facing similar challenges.
How a therapist may help
A facilitator trained in cognitive and behavioral approaches may help a group notice patterns in thinking, explore how those patterns affect mood and behavior, and practice new perspectives together. Sessions are generally educational and interactive, with room for discussion and shared examples.
In many groups and workshops, participants learn to recognize unhelpful thought habits, consider more balanced alternatives, and gradually try new responses in daily life. A good facilitator often creates a respectful, low-pressure space where people can learn at their own pace.
Group learning can offer something individual study sometimes misses: the chance to hear how others apply the same ideas, to feel less alone, and to stay motivated. Results vary from person to person, and groups are meant to support learning rather than promise any particular outcome.
Where mind meets body
Thoughts, emotions and the body's stress response are closely linked. When you feel anxious or low, your body often responds too — with tension, restlessness or fatigue — and those physical sensations can feed back into how you think and feel. Cognitive skills address the thinking side of this loop, which is part of why group learning can feel grounding.
Because the mind and body work together, some people choose to pair thinking-based skills with body-based practices for a more whole-person approach. To learn about somatic, body-based options, you can explore Somatic Experiences, our sister resource. Neither approach replaces the other; many people simply find value in both.
Explore on Somatic Experiences: nervous system regulation →Explore on Somatic Experiences: embodiment and movement →
Keep in mind
- CBT groups, workshops and online courses are educational and skills-focused; they are not therapy and do not treat, diagnose or cure any condition.
- If you are living with a serious condition such as trauma, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, an eating disorder or substance use, licensed professionals should guide your care.
- Decisions about medication are always made with a licensed prescriber.
- If you are in crisis in the US, you can call or text 988 or call 911.
Therapists
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Frequently asked questions
What are CBT groups and workshops?
CBT groups and workshops are structured programs where people learn cognitive and behavioral skills together in a guided setting. They focus on education and practice rather than individual therapy. Many are organized around themes like anxiety, depression or stress management.
How are CBT groups different from individual therapy?
CBT groups are shared, skills-focused learning spaces, while individual therapy is one-on-one and personalized. Groups emphasize general education and the chance to learn alongside others. Some people use groups on their own, while others combine them with individual support.
Do online CBT skills courses work?
Online CBT skills courses offer a flexible way to learn cognitive and behavioral tools at your own pace, and many people find them convenient and helpful. They are educational rather than a form of treatment. Results vary, and they are not a substitute for professional care when a serious condition is involved.
Who might benefit from anxiety and depression workshops?
People who want to learn practical skills and connect with others facing similar challenges often find workshops appealing. These programs are designed for learning and support, not diagnosis or treatment. If you're dealing with a serious condition, a licensed professional should guide your care.
Are CBT groups a form of treatment?
No, CBT groups are educational and skills-based programs, not treatment for any specific condition. They can help people learn and practice cognitive and behavioral tools together. Anyone needing clinical care should work with a licensed professional.
Can I combine a CBT group with body-based practices?
Yes, many people pair cognitive skills with body-based, somatic practices for a more whole-person approach, since thoughts and the body's stress response influence each other. You can learn about body-based options through Somatic Experiences. Neither approach replaces the other.
Educational resource. Therapists.plus shares general information and connects people with independent therapists, coaches and groups. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk with a licensed professional about your health. In a crisis in the US, call or text 988 or call 911.
