Immediate Openings for General Outpatient Services- Email our intake team or fill out our contact form
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Our Group therapy program, led by our highly experienced therapists, is designed to be supplemental to your therapy goals. We provide support and therapy groups for Young Adults, Tweens, Teens, Parents, and Neurodiverse individuals.
Group therapy is a cost-effective way to get support, learn new skills, and connect with fellow travelers in a warm and vibrant community.
What is group treatment?
Group treatment involves individuals working together with our expertly trained clinicians in a structured, supportive setting. Using evidence-based approaches such as ERP, CBT, and ACT, groups combine skill-building, shared learning, and professional guidance to help participants make meaningful progress alongside others facing similar challenges.
How does group treatment supplement individual treatment?
Group therapy enhances individual treatment by reducing isolation, strengthening skills through shared learning and practice, and offering real-world opportunities to sit with anxiety in a supportive setting. While individual therapy provides personalized depth, group work fosters meaningful connection, accountability, and confidence—helping skills carry over more naturally into daily life.
Do I have to be a NECOA client to join a group?
The simple answer is no.
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Participants do not need to be individual clients to join group treatment, as our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive space where anyone can benefit from evidence-based support. That said, individuals who are also engaged in individual therapy at NECOA often find the experience especially impactful, as they’re able to deepen the same skills and approaches while working closely with leading OCD clinicians across both settings. Learn more about our General Outpatient services.
For Parents
Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions
(SPACE) Program
The online SPACE group serves parents/caregivers raising children and adolescents with OCD, anxiety, or related issues who are interested in learning evidence-based strategies to support their children and who are willing to learn from and support each other as they go.
Parents will learn supportive communication, how to handle difficult emotions, and specific, effective strategies for reducing accommodation so that they may encourage brave behavior in their children. Group is on Tuesday's at 6:30pm - 8:00pm and runs for 6, 90-minute sessions. Cost is $600 for six sessions; one or two parents may attend.
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Group Leader: Gail Nunes (she/her) is an LMHC who specializes in evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ERP, ACT for OCD) for anxiety and trauma-related disorders, as well as DBT and CFT. She is a recognized SPACE provider.
Failure to Launch (FTL) Parent Support Group
Is your young adult (18-25) struggling to transition into independent adulthood? You’re not alone. Many parents face challenges in supporting their children through this critical stage. Our Failure to Launch Parent Support Group provides a safe and supportive space to connect with others, share experiences, and learn practical strategies to foster independence.
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In this virtual group, parents will explore common challenges of young adult development, discuss issues like motivation and responsibility, and develop effective communication and boundary-setting skills. Led by experienced facilitators, the sessions will help you balance support with empowerment while gaining a deeper understanding of your young adult’s perspective.
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Group leaders: Gail Nunes (she/her) is an LMHC who specializes in evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ERP, ACT for OCD) for anxiety and trauma-related disorders, as well as DBT and CFT. She is a recognized SPACE provider.
Kristen Perrelli (she/her) is an LICSW who works with individuals, families and couples experiencing anxiety, OCD and related disorders, and mood disorders by implementing evidence based interventions including: SPACE, CBT, ERP, and ACT.
For Adults
Adult OCD Group
(in person)
Are you an adult struggling with OCD? Are you seeking additional support as you navigate individual treatment and/or recovery and symptom management? This group is for individuals aged 18+ looking for a safe and supportive space to learn new ideas and skills to help manage OCD symptoms while pursuing valued living. You will have opportunities to practice various intervention strategies and engage in ERP in addition to goal planning. This group aims to provide additional support to those suffering with OCD and is not a substitute for individual treatment.
We will meet weekly on Mondays from 6:30 pm-7:30 pm and are in person at our 678 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA address. New group members are required to commit to four sessions at a time for $200.
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Group Leaders:
Jolie Pepperman (She/Her), PsyD, is a Staff Psychologist at NECOA. She specializes in working with children, teens, adults, and families in the treatment of anxiety and OCD using evidence-based interventions (CBT, ERP, & ACT).
Rebecca 'Becky' Browne (She/Her), PhD, is a Staff Psychologist at NECOA. Becky also specializes in working with children, teens, adults, and families in the treatment of anxiety and OCD using evidence-based interventions (CBT, ERP, & ACT), and has a passion for Measurement-Based Care (MBC).
Adult OCD Group
(virtual)
This group uses a blend of experiential practices of acceptance, mindfulness, values, self-compassion, and exposures processes and skills. It's open to all states and runs weekly on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm via Zoom. Open to MA and NY residents to participate.
New group members are required to commit to four sessions at a time for $200 to maximize support. Beyond the initial four, it's $50 per session. Some people take breaks and rejoin the group later as needed. Sliding scale is available for those who need.
If you have clients or know of someone who may be interested in joining the group, please share our contact form with them: Contact Form
Group Leader:
Carlos Rivera (He/Him), Ph.D. is the Co-Founder and Director of the New England Center for OCD and Anxiety, New York (NECOA NY). He specializes in working with children, teens, adults, and families in the treatment of anxiety and OCD using evidence-based interventions (CBT, ERP, & ACT) as well as integrating from other techniques and approaches such as Buddhism and ancestral wisdom of the Americas.
Guided Mindfulness Group
Feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, or daily distractions? You're not alone.
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Our Guided Mindfulness Group provides a supportive and guided space to cultivate greater peace, focus, and clarity in your life.
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In this group, you will:
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Learn practical mindfulness techniques from an experienced mentor.
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Connect with like-minded individuals on their mindfulness journey.
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Gain support and accountability as you integrate mindfulness into your daily life.
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Experience reduced stress, improved focus, and enhanced emotional well-being.
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No prior experience necessary! Our group is open to anyone seeking to explore and deepen their mindfulness practice.
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Limited spots available! Sign up today and start your journey towards a calmer, more mindful you.
For Teens
Teen OCD & Anxiety Support Group
The Adolescent OCD and Anxiety Support Group is a space for teens who are navigating the challenges of OCD and anxiety. We provide a space for teens to come together and connect with others who understand what they are going through. Led by staff clinicians, the group focuses on building skills, setting goals, processing experiences and emotions, and supporting peers. This group aims to provide a sense of community and support for adolescents with OCD and anxiety disorders and is not a substitute for individual treatment.We meet weekly on Tuesdays at 7pm on zoom. New group members are required to commit to four sessions at a time for $200.
Group Leader: Kerry O'Donnell (She/Her), MA, is a pediatric-focused BTTI trained staff clinician at NECOA. She works with children, teens, and young adults by implementing evidence-based interventions such as CBT, ERP, and ACT.
ACT Mindfully with Peers (PEERS®+ Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) for Teens or Young Adults
These 2 online groups are tailored for adolescents (12-17) or young adults (18-23) with ASD, OCD and/or anxiety who also struggle with social skills or social engagement more generally. Groups meet once per week for 60 min, and we ask for a 4-week commitment - renewed, if participants and families wish, after each 4 weeks.
Groups are based in the PEERS® model, an evidence-based social skills program for young people on the Autism Spectrum, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). New participants can join existing cohorts at the beginning of each 4 week cycle. The Teen group runs at 5:00 EST and the Young Adult group runs at 6:30 every Monday. Cost is $300 for 4 sessions.
This group is not currently scheduled to run. Please reach out to Clinton Fuller, M.S., BCBA, LABA, for more information.
Group Leader: Clinton D. Fuller (he | him | his), M.S, BCBA, LABA, is a PEERS certified provider who specializes in evidence-based, contextual behavior therapies for individuals with ASD who also struggle with other challenges like OCD and anxiety.
D&D Social Group
This is a group for neurodivergent young adults interested in connecting in a Dungeons and Dragons game setting bi-weekly to enjoy being part of a group, gaining social support, learning cognitive behavioral strategies to support psychological well-being, practicing social skills, and facing social anxiety in a relaxed, fun, and welcoming setting. This is a group for young people with anxiety, OCD, ADHD, and autistic youngsters. LGBTQ+ welcome. Group leaders are neurodivergence affirming, and are neurodivergent themselves. No prior experience with D&D required. Limited spots, so join soon. We hope to see you on the next campaign!
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This group is not currently scheduled to run. Please reach out to Lisa Coyne, PhD, for more information.