Support groups are provided by hospitals and community agencies, such as family service agencies, private counseling groups, the American Cancer Society, or sometimes by individual cancer patients organizing a group of their own. If a hospital or agency does not currently have a group program that meets your needs, ask if you can help start one. They are not psychotherapy sessions. Groups can either be organized and run by a cancer counselor or by people with cancer, without professional help. The type of problem you are dealing with may determine which kind of group to attend.
Support groups organized by patients offer concern, sharing of ideas, and encouragement.
Those same benefits apply to a professionally organized group. The advantage of a professionally organized group is that the needs of all members can be addressed. The professional does not tell group members what to do, but tries to make sure that everyone finds solutions to problems. Again, you are the best judge of what may be the most helpful. Depending on your concerns, individual counseling may be more helpful than joining a support group, or vice versa.