Montgomery Counseling Group (MCG) is building group therapy services for clients in Charlotte, NC and by telehealth throughout North Carolina. Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which one or more clinicians work with several people at the same time. Research summarized by the American Psychological Association (APA) finds group therapy effective across a wide range of concerns, with much of its benefit coming from the connection and shared experience among members.
Group and individual therapy each offer something the other does not, and some people take part in both, sometimes at the same time. MCG forms new groups as interest builds, each led by a licensed clinician, and co-therapists lead a group together when indicated. For some people group therapy is a first step into therapy; for others it works alongside individual sessions. To find out which groups are currently forming, the first step is a free consultation.
Why Group Therapy Works
Group therapy works through what happens between the people in the room, in addition to the work between each member and the clinician. When a group of people with similar experiences meets regularly under the guidance of a licensed clinician, something becomes available that individual sessions do not offer on their own.
Members see their own experiences reflected in others and gain perspective on their situation. They practice new ways of communicating with the people in the room, rather than rehearsing them alone. They give and receive honest feedback in a setting built to hold it with care. And they find, sometimes for the first time, that experiences they had kept private are more common than they believed.
According to the APA, group cohesion, the sense of belonging and trust that develops within a group, is one of the most important predictors of outcomes in group therapy. Cohesion builds through shared openness, consistent attendance, and the clinician’s guidance.
Group therapy can run alongside individual therapy as part of a broader approach, and it can also be the main form of support, particularly for people focused on communication, connection, or shared experiences such as grief
Types of Group Therapy at MCG
Group therapy can be structured in different ways depending on the goals of the group and the approach the clinician uses.
| Group Type | Focus | Often Helpful For |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Behavioral Groups | Identifying and shifting patterns of thinking, behavior, and emotion | Anxiety, depression |
| Interpersonal Groups | Relationships and communication skills | Social and relational patterns |
| Psychoeducation Groups | Learning about an experience and the strategies that help | Anxiety, trauma, chronic illness |
| Skills Development Groups | Building social and emotional life skills | Emotion regulation, substance use, stress |
| Support Groups | Shared experience, encouragement, community | Life transitions, grief, chronic illness |
Cognitive Behavioral Groups
These groups focus on identifying and shifting patterns of thinking, behavior, and emotion. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) group formats have a substantial research base and are commonly used for anxiety and depression.
Interpersonal Groups
Interpersonal relationships shape mental health in significant ways. Interpersonal group therapy focuses on relationships and communication, including how people move through social situations and express themselves in connection with others.
Psychoeducation Groups
Psychoeducation groups bring together people with similar experiences to learn more about what they are facing and the strategies that help. These groups combine education with peer support and are common for anxiety, trauma, and chronic illness
Skills Development Groups
Skills development groups focus on building practical social and emotional life skills. They often help people working on emotion regulation, substance use, or ongoing stress, and they pair structured learning with peer support.
Support Groups
Support groups bring together people facing a shared experience or life circumstance, and they can also support family members and loved ones. They offer encouragement, motivation, and a place to share what is helping. Support groups work well alongside individual therapy, adding connection rather than standing in for it.
Open and Closed Groups
Group therapy runs in two formats: open groups and closed groups. In an open group, new members can join at any time, and the group changes as people come and go. Open groups are accessible and can be a good entry point into therapy. In a closed group, the same members meet for a defined period, and new members do not join once it has started. Closed groups tend to build deeper cohesion, because the trust that develops over weeks of shared experience is not interrupted by new arrivals. MCG keeps its groups small, typically four to eight people, so each member has room to take part.
Starting Group Therapy at MCG
The first step is a free consultation, typically 15 to 20 minutes by phone or secure video. This is a chance to ask questions and find out which groups are currently forming and whether one fits where you are.
MCG accepts Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Magellan, Medicare, and United Healthcare, and works with out-of-network benefits. Under federal parity law, health plans that cover mental health services must cover them comparably to medical or surgical care, and many plans include group therapy as part of those benefits. Self-pay and sliding-scale options are available, and current rates are listed on our Rates and Insurance page.
When a group forms, sessions are held in person at 4108 Park Road, Suite 410 in Charlotte, NC, or by secure telehealth throughout North Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions
What group therapy options does Montgomery Counseling Group offer in Charlotte?
Montgomery Counseling Group forms group therapy in Charlotte, NC around shared experiences and life transitions, using evidence-based group formats led by licensed clinicians. The right group depends on what brings you in, the format you prefer, and whether you meet in person or by telehealth. A free consultation is the way to find out which groups are currently forming and whether one fits
How much does group therapy cost in Charlotte?
Because the clinician’s time is shared among members, group therapy is often a more accessible option, and sessions generally run about 30 to 80 dollars. Montgomery Counseling Group accepts Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Magellan, Medicare, and United Healthcare, and works with out-of-network benefits, with self-pay and sliding-scale options available. Current rates are on the Rates and Insurance page.
How does group therapy at MCG work?
When a group forms, it begins with a free consultation to check fit. Groups are kept small, typically four to eight members, and meet regularly in person at the Park Road office in Charlotte or by secure telehealth across North Carolina. A licensed clinician leads each group, with co-therapists co-leading when indicated, and sessions usually run 60 to 90 minutes. Groups may be open, with members joining at any time, or closed, with membership set for a defined period.
Is group therapy available online for North Carolina residents?
Yes. Montgomery Counseling Group can hold group sessions by secure telehealth for clients throughout North Carolina, so people anywhere in the state can take part without traveling to the Charlotte office. Telehealth makes group therapy easier to reach when an in-person group is not nearby.
Does MCG offer groups for anxiety, depression, or life transitions?
Montgomery Counseling Group forms group therapy around anxiety, depression, and life transitions as interest grows, so availability changes over time. A free consultation is the way to find out whether a group in one of these areas is currently forming, or to note your interest so the practice can reach out when one starts