Group Counselling Calgary
Curio Counselling provides group counselling Calgary — small, therapist-led groups where people working through the same struggle support each other’s progress — in person at our Beltline office (1414 8 St SW Suite 200) and online across Alberta. Our group therapy facilitators include Registered Psychologists regulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists, Canadian Certified Counsellors certified by the CCPA, and a Professional Art Psychotherapist, running both structured process-based groups and drop-in sessions — beginning with our Grief and Loss group, launching Fall 2026, which meets twice a week for four weeks and is designed for people past the acute stage of grief. Group therapy adds something individual work can’t — the relief of hearing “me too” from people who actually get it: book a free, no-obligation 30-minute group information and intake session and we’ll help you find the right group.
What is Group Counselling?
Group counselling, also known as group therapy or support groups, involves bringing together a small group of individuals who share common concerns, experiences, or goals.
Led by a trained therapist, group counselling sessions provide a supportive and collaborative space for participants to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and work towards personal growth and healing.
Who Can Benefit from Group Counselling?
Group counselling may be beneficial for individuals facing a wide range of challenges, including:
- Grief and Loss: Coping with the death of a loved one or experiencing other forms of loss.
- Anxiety and Depression: Managing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.
- Trauma and PTSD: Healing from past traumas and developing healthy coping strategies.
- Relationship Issues: Navigating relationship challenges, including family conflicts, divorce, or separation.
- Stress Management: Learning effective stress management techniques and coping skills.
Addiction and - Recovery: Finding support and encouragement on the path to recovery from addiction.
The Benefits of Group Counselling
Participating in group counselling at Curio Counselling offers numerous benefits, including:
- Peer Support: Connecting with others who are facing similar challenges can provide a sense of validation, understanding, and belonging.
- Shared Experiences: Hearing others’ stories and experiences can offer new perspectives and insights, helping you feel less alone in your struggles.
- Skill Development: Group therapy provides opportunities to learn and practice new coping skills, communication strategies, and problem-solving techniques.
- Emotional Healing: Expressing emotions in a safe and supportive environment can promote emotional healing and catharsis.
- Increased Self Awareness: Group therapy encourages self-reflection and self-awareness, helping you gain deeper insights into your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
- Confidentiality: Calgary therapy sessions are confidential, and participants are expected to respect each other’s privacy and maintain confidentiality within the group.
Why Group Therapy Over Individual Counselling?
Group therapy offers unique benefits that may make it a preferable option for some individuals compared to individual counselling sessions. Here are some reasons why you might choose group therapy at Curio Counselling:
- Supportive Community: Group therapy provides an opportunity to connect with others who are facing similar challenges. Being part of a supportive community can help you feel understood, accepted, and less alone in your struggles.
- Shared Experiences: In a group setting, you have the chance to hear others’ stories and experiences, which can offer new perspectives and insights. Sharing common experiences can help you feel validated and less isolated in your struggles.
- Learning from Others: Group therapy allows you to learn from the experiences and coping strategies of other group members. Hearing how others have overcome similar challenges can inspire hope and provide valuable insights into your own situation.
- Skill Development: Group therapy offers opportunities to learn and practice new coping skills, communication techniques, and problem-solving strategies in a supportive environment. These skills can be applied to various areas of your life and contribute to your overall growth and well-being.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Group therapy sessions are often more cost-effective than individual counselling sessions, making them a more accessible option for some individuals. By participating in group therapy, you can receive support and guidance at a lower cost.
- Increased Accountability: Being part of a group can provide a sense of accountability and motivation to work towards your goals. Knowing that others are on a similar journey can help you stay committed to the therapeutic process and make positive changes in your life.
Is Group Therapy Confidential?
Confidentiality is a fundamental aspect of group therapy at Curio Counselling.
Our therapists create a safe and confidential space where participants can share their experiences, thoughts, and feelings without fear of judgement or disclosure.
Group members are expected to respect each other’s privacy and maintain confidentiality within the group.
However, it’s essential to note that there are limitations to confidentiality, such as when there’s a risk of harm to oneself or others, or when required by law.
Our Approach to Group Counselling
At Curio Counselling, we offer two primary approaches to group counselling:
- Process-Based Group Therapy: Process-based groups focus on exploring and processing emotions, thoughts, and experiences in a supportive and non-judgemental environment. These groups provide opportunities for personal growth, insight, and healing.
- Drop-In Group Therapy: Our drop-in groups offer a flexible and accessible option for individuals seeking support and connection on specific topics, such as grief and loss. These groups provide a supportive space for sharing experiences, learning coping strategies, and finding comfort and validation.
Grief and Loss Processed-Based Group Therapy
Grief and Loss Process-Based Group Therapy is led by experienced therapists and provides support and connection for individuals navigating the challenges of grief and loss.
This group is for you if you are experiencing grief and/or loss (of any kind), are past the acute grief stage, and are looking to connect with a safe and supportive community.
Participants will have the opportunity to share their own stories, support others with similar experiences, learn helpful information about grief, apply effective coping strategies, and explore and process their grief through a variety of hands-on activities.
Our next Grief and Loss Group will begin Fall 2026 and will meet twice a week for 4 weeks. Both virtual and in-person options will be available.
Contact us to book a free information and intake session if you are interested in participating.
Book a Free
Group Information
and Intake Session
Whether you are considering attending group counselling or simply hoping to get some more information about what group counselling is all about, we want to make the process as simple and straightforward as possible.
That is why we offer a free, no-obligation, 30-minute phone or video group information and intake session with one of our Calgary therapists who facilitates group sessions.
Our Calgary Therapists for Group Counselling
All of our Calgary therapists hold a Master of Counselling degree from an accredited university and are members in good standing with either the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) or the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP).
Canadian Certified Counsellor, Counselling Therapist
Registered Psychologist Calgary
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Canadian Certified Counsellor
Professional Art Psychotherapist, Counselling Therapist
The Safe Space
Our counselling spaces are designed to make you feel comfortable and safe. Upon entering a counselling room, you are welcome to choose whichever seat you would like. Feel free to put your feet up, drape a blanket over yourself, or even lie down.
Our Location
You can expect to be greeted by our receptionist, invited to take a seat in our waiting area, and offered a beverage.
Questions About Group Counselling
What is the difference between group counselling and individual therapy?
In individual therapy you work one-on-one with a Calgary therapist. In group counselling, a small group of people who share a similar challenge meet together with a trained facilitator. You still receive professional guidance, but you also gain something individual sessions can't offer: hearing how others have navigated the same struggle, feeling less alone, and practising new skills with real people in the room.
Group work tends to suit people who feel isolated in what they're going through, who learn well from others' experiences, or who want a more accessible, lower-cost option. Many clients do both — group alongside individual counselling in Calgary — and the two reinforce each other.
Is group therapy confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is a foundation of group therapy at Curio Counselling. Our therapists create a safe space where you can share without fear of judgement, and every group member is expected to respect each other's privacy and keep what's shared inside the room.
A few legal limits apply to all counselling in Alberta: a therapist must act if there is a risk of harm to you or someone else, or where disclosure is required by law. Your facilitator will walk through these limits and the group's confidentiality agreement before you begin, so you know exactly what to expect.
What kinds of group counselling does Curio offer in Calgary?
We run two main formats. Process-based groups focus on exploring and working through emotions, thoughts, and experiences over time in a supportive, non-judgemental setting — best for deeper personal growth and insight. Drop-in groups are more flexible and accessible, giving you a place to connect around a specific topic, such as grief and loss, without a long-term commitment.
Our next offering is a Grief and Loss process-based group beginning Spring 2026, meeting monthly for roughly 10 months, designed for people past the acute stage of grief who want a safe, ongoing community. Contact us to book a free information and intake session if you'd like to join.
Who can benefit from group therapy?
Group counselling helps people facing a wide range of challenges, including grief and loss, anxiety and depression, trauma and PTSD, relationship and family conflict, stress management, and recovery from addiction.
It tends to be especially valuable if you feel alone in what you're carrying, find comfort and motivation in shared experience, or want to build coping and communication skills by practising them with others. If you're unsure whether a group is right for you, a free intake conversation is the simplest way to find out.
How much does group counselling cost, and is it cheaper than individual therapy?
Group therapy is generally more cost-effective than one-on-one sessions, which is one reason many people choose it — you receive professional facilitation and peer support at a lower per-session cost. Because format and length vary between our process-based and drop-in groups, the simplest way to get an exact figure for the group you're interested in is to ask during your free intake session.
Curio offers a free, no-obligation 20-minute consultation, plus a separate free information and intake session for groups. Many clients also use extended health benefits toward counselling — bring your plan details and we'll help you understand what may be covered. Call (403) 243-0303 or book online to get started.
What happens in my first group session?
Before joining, you'll have a free information and intake session — a 30-minute phone or video call with one of our Calgary therapists who facilitates groups. This is where you learn how the group works, ask questions, and make sure it's the right fit, with no pressure to commit.
In the group itself, you'll arrive at our downtown Calgary office at 1414 8 St SW, Suite 200, be welcomed by reception, and settle into a comfortable, private room. The facilitator opens by reviewing confidentiality and group agreements, then guides the session — a mix of sharing, learning about the topic, practising coping strategies, and, in some groups, hands-on activities. You're always free to participate at your own pace.