Structured and evidence-based group therapy, offered both virtually and in-person, to adults experiencing moderate to severe mental health and/or substance use challenges.
Last updated: April 9, 2026
Regional Group Therapy Services (GTS) provides weekly virtual and in-person group therapy for individuals aged 19 years and older who are navigating moderate to severe mental health and substance use challenges, including depression, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). They may also be impacted by borderline personality disorder (BPD) and/or BPD traits.
Individuals can learn about, and practice, evidence-based skills focused on their mental health and/or substance use needs. The service offers adults structured and evidence-based group therapy focused on skill building. Each group is facilitated by at least two clinicians who have professional training in providing therapy, i.e. counsellors, social workers and occupational therapists.
Clients can expect:
- Structured therapeutic groups to build knowledge, awareness, insight, skills and connections.
- An interdisciplinary team with competent, respectful and caring professionals.
- Opportunities to participate in virtual or in-person groups.
- Opportunities to attend groups during daytime, evenings or weekends (please see below for more information on the groups that are being offered).
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) groups:
- CBT tools and insights: A 1.5-hour, six-week group that helps attendees experiencing mental health difficulties learn to manage stress, understand their emotions and begin making meaningful changes.
- CBT for depression: A two-hour, 10-week group that reviews the role of thinking, emotions, behaviour and social life on recovery from depression.
- CBT for mixed anxiety: A two-hour, 12-week group that helps people overcome specific aspects of anxiety by gradually facing feared situations in small, manageable steps (graduated exposure therapy).
- CBT for OCD: A two-hour, 12-week group for people recovering from obsessions and compulsions.
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) groups:
- DBT rapid access group: A 1.5-hour, 12-week group for people recovering from a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD), or BPD traits, that supports learning mindfulness and distress tolerance.
- DBT skills group: A two-hour, 20-week group, for people recovering from a diagnosis of BPD or BPD traits, and who want to support their recovery by practicing skills to change their behaviour, emotions and thoughts.
Some groups have an 'open’ intake structure, and welcome new members each week. Other groups are 'closed' and either have consistent group membership from start to finish or have limited opportunities for new members to join every few weeks.
Access
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
- Adults over the age of 19
- Impacted by moderate to severe symptoms of mental health and/or substance use disorder, such as depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or borderline personality disorder
- Has the mental and cognitive capacity to attend groups regularly and participate respectfully
- Be able to engage in and understand English
Exclusion criteria
- Impacted by acute psychosis or disassociation that is not being managed by medication
- Impacted by high-risk substance use patterns or acute withdrawal
- At imminent or high risk of suicide
- Children and youth under the age of 19
Referral
To make a referral, clients who are already attached to Fraser Health services should speak with their care team, who will review if GTS is a good fit and submit the referral on their behalf with the client’s consent.
For clients not attached to Fraser Health services, referrals will go through Access Central by phone or faxing the referral form from your general practitioners. Clients can also self-refer by calling Access Central (1-833-866-MHSU).