Reviewed byTimur Abdrakhmanov, MDPsychotherapist · updated 11.11.2026
Key facts
- Who provides it
- A psychotherapist or clinical psychologist trained in group therapy, sometimes with two co-facilitators
- Format
- A closed or semi-open group of 6–12 people; in person in Almaty and Astana, with some groups online
- Duration
- Sessions last 90–120 minutes once a week; a course is 8–16 sessions, and support groups run longer
- Confidentiality
- Participants sign a confidentiality agreement; only first names are used, no surnames; no registration with the state dispensary
- When it is urgent
- Suicidal thoughts, acute psychosis, or severe intoxication: do not wait for the next group session, call 103 or 112
- Outcome
- Less shame and isolation, communication and stress-management skills, and the group’s support during difficult periods
What to know
Many people are put off by the word “group”: it seems they will have to talk about the most personal things in front of strangers. In reality, it is handled much more gently. No one has to say more than they are ready to, and at first you can simply listen. The strength of a group lies precisely in seeing people with similar struggles and realizing that you are not the exception. Watching someone else cope with the same fear or relapse is often more useful than any advice from a specialist.
Group therapy does not replace individual therapy; it complements it, or suits people for whom connection and support matter most. It is not a mutual-support group like a 12-step program, where meetings are run by the members themselves, and it is not a rehab center program. Here, the group is led by a psychotherapist and has goals, rules, and a fixed membership. Below, I explain what groups we offer, how to join one, and who this format is not yet right for.
Who Group Therapy May Be Right For
- anxiety and shyness get in the way of socializing, and you want to practice in a safe environment
- you feel your problem is unique and no one will understand you
- you have completed addiction treatment and are looking for regular support to stay sober
- you live with someone who has an addiction or a serious illness and you feel alone
- after individual therapy, you want to consolidate your skills by interacting with others
- you are going through a loss, a divorce, or emigration and lack support
- the same conflicts keep repeating in your relationships, and you want to understand your role in them
If life is at risk — loss of consciousness, seizures, hallucinations, overdose, suicidal thoughts — call 103 or 112. Helpline for children and young people: 150.
Why a Group Helps Differently From Individual Therapy
In individual therapy, you talk about your relationships with people; in a group, those relationships play out right there in the room. If you tend to stay silent, give in, or get irritated, that will show up among the other members too. The psychotherapist helps you notice your habitual reactions and receive honest but kind feedback. In group psychotherapy, this is considered one of the main therapeutic factors, alongside a sense of belonging and hope.
The second mechanism is the example of others. When a member who a month ago could not leave the house because of anxiety describes how they made it to work, it gives more hope than anything a specialist could say. A group also offers the chance to help others, which strengthens self-esteem. For people with addiction, a regular group becomes an environment where sobriety is the norm and a relapse can be discussed without judgment.
How to Join a Group and What Sessions Are Like
Before joining a group, an individual meeting with the facilitator is required, 45–60 minutes, in person or by video. The psychotherapist clarifies your request, current state, and expectations, explains the group’s membership and rules, and together you decide whether this group is a good fit. You then join the next intake or a semi-open group. Each session begins with a short check-in round in which members say how they are doing, followed by work on themes, and ends with a closing round.
The group format is not yet suitable for acute psychosis, severe depression with suicidal thoughts, marked aggression, active substance use at the time of the sessions, or the period right after a severe trauma, when individual stabilization is needed first. In these cases, we start with an assessment by a psychiatrist or an addiction physician and individual work. Coming to sessions while intoxicated is not allowed. If anyone’s life is in danger, call 103 or 112.
How we help
Themed groups
These groups bring together people with a shared goal: anxiety and panic attacks, depression, sobriety support after treatment, a group for relatives of people with addiction, or coping with loss. The facilitator provides structure: each session is devoted to a theme and often includes a short educational part and exercises. Such groups are usually closed, meaning the membership stays the same for 8–12 weeks, which helps trust develop more quickly.
Cognitive behavioral group
In this format, the group learns specific skills: noticing automatic thoughts, testing them, reducing avoidance, and coping with cravings or panic. Members do homework and discuss the results. NICE guidelines recommend group CBT for anxiety and depressive disorders as one option for psychological care, alongside individual therapy.
Process group
A less structured format in which the members bring their own topics and the main work focuses on relationships within the group. It suits those who want to better understand how they build relationships, why the same conflicts keep recurring, and how to talk about their feelings. These groups usually last longer, from several months, and require regular attendance.
Aftercare support group
For people who have completed addiction treatment or a course of psychotherapy, it is important not to be left on their own once the program ends. The aftercare support group meets once a week, and its membership changes in part over time. Here, members discuss the challenges of returning to work and family life, cravings, the risk of relapse, and plans for the future. This group complements, rather than replaces, social reintegration programs.
How treatment works
- 01Call or WhatsAppThe administrator and the doctor on duty clarify the situation and tell you what to do right now.
- 02Examination or consultationThe doctor visits your home, sees you at the clinic or joins by video.
- 03Treatment planWe choose the format — at home, inpatient, psychotherapy or rehab — with a clear price.
- 04Ongoing supportYour doctor and psychotherapist stay in touch: follow-ups, family support and relapse prevention.
Myths and facts
MythIn a group, you will be made to tell everything about yourself
FactNo one is obliged to share more than they are ready to. In the first sessions, you can mostly listen. The facilitator makes sure no one is pressured and stops questions that are too harsh. Openness comes gradually, as you begin to feel safe.
MythGroup therapy is a cheap substitute for individual therapy
FactIt is a method in its own right, with its own mechanisms: feedback from peers, the example of others, and a sense of belonging. For a number of difficulties, such as social anxiety and sobriety support, a group offers what cannot be gained one-on-one. Often the best result comes from combining both formats.
MythSomeone will recognize me, and everyone will find out
FactMembers agree not to take personal information outside the group and are known by first name only. If you discover an acquaintance among the members, let the facilitator know, and we will offer you a different group. In smaller cities, the online format is especially convenient for this reason.
Prices: Group therapy
| Group therapy | 8 000 ₸ |
| Psychotherapist session (50 min) | 14 990 ₸ |
| Psychologist session (50 min) | 12 000 ₸ |
| Family session (80 min) | 25 000 ₸ |
| Phone consultation | free |
Prices are approximate: the doctor confirms the exact cost after the examination, before treatment starts.
Confidential
We do not register patients with state dispensaries or share information with employers. You do not have to give your surname; doctors arrive in unmarked cars. Medical confidentiality is protected by the Code of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”.
Clinic addresses
FAQ
How many people are in a group?
Usually 6–12 members. With fewer, group dynamics are hard to establish; with more, each person gets too little time. Groups for relatives and online groups more often have 6–8 members so that everyone can speak. The facilitator selects the membership after the individual meeting.
Can I combine group therapy with individual therapy?
Yes, and that is often the best option. Individual work provides depth and an exploration of your personal history, while the group provides practice and support. It is important that your individual psychotherapist and the group facilitator know about each other and, with your consent, can coordinate their approach.
What if I miss a session?
In closed groups, regular attendance matters: every absence affects everyone. If you cannot avoid missing a session, let the facilitator know in advance. If you miss several sessions in a row, the facilitator will contact you to understand what is going on and decide whether the format is right for you at the moment.
Are there online groups?
Yes, at Akalam some groups meet by video: this is convenient for people living in other cities in Kazakhstan and for those who value anonymity. The rules are the same: your camera stays on, you are in a separate room with no one else present, and recording is prohibited. Some exercise-based groups are held only in person in Almaty or Astana.
Can I leave the group if it isn’t right for me?
Yes. We ask you not to leave silently but to say so at your last session or tell the facilitator in person. Sometimes the urge to leave appears just when important work is starting in the group, and that is worth discussing. But the decision is always yours.
Do I need a doctor’s referral?
No. Simply book a preliminary meeting with the facilitator. If that conversation shows that you first need an assessment by a psychiatrist or an addiction physician, for example because of marked depression or active substance use, we will tell you so honestly and help arrange a consultation.
Sources and review
Prepared by the Akalam medical editorial team based on:
- ICD-10 and ICD-11: mental and behavioural disorders
- Clinical protocols of the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan
- Code of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”
- WHO: mental health and substance use
- NICE and APA clinical guidelines
This information is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Editorial policy