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Question: Dear Toolbox Advisor,

I am in the final stages of writing a modified version of my current book, Starting and Sustaining Groups that Thrive: Therapist’s Workbook and Planning Guide. This edition, Groups That Thrive: Workbook and Planning Guide, is for a wider audience of non-therapists, such as leaders of self-help and support groups, writer’s groups, work groups, community and networking groups.

I am writing to ask your assistance in finding recent statistics.
I have been unable to find statistics about the number of self help or support groups in the US that are more recent than the last 10 years. Your implement/enhancing-support/peer-support-groups/main page cites 500,000 support groups in the US.

Do you know the source and date of that statistic? Re: “Did you know that there are over 500,000 support groups in the United States? Because they are both inexpensive and effective ways to offer assistance to people dealing with a variety of concerns, support groups have become a common method of serving the needs of people who are experiencing problems in their lives.” [From: /en/table-of-contents/implement/enhancing-support/peer-support-groups/main ]

Thank you in advance for considering these requests,

Ann Steiner, Ph.D., MFT Certified Group Psychotherapist

Psychotherapist/ Author /Trainer/ Professional Speaker
Recently Released: How to Create and Sustain Groups that Thrive: Therapist's Workbook and Planning Guide
To be Released: How to Create and Sustain Groups that Thrive: Therapist's Workbook and Planning Guide
Board Member, American Group Psychotherapy Association
Lafayette, CA
(925) 962-0060
www.DrSteiner.com

Answer:

Best of luck on finishing the modified version of your book "Starting and Sustaining Groups that Thrive." You asked about some of the figures included in the Community Tool Box about the number of self-help groups and support groups around the country. That number cited was 500,000 and you asked about the source and date of that statistic. We are doing some searching to see if we can find out if there is updated information. We do know that the number cited is not recent but don't at this time have additional information about source or any updated information.

Question Date: Mon, 11/30/2015