Editorial rating:
The Circles app provides online support to groups struggling with similar experiences, such as divorce, grief, or chronic illness. Support group meetings are offered multiple times a day, seven days a week, and are run by experienced mental health professionals. Circles offers a seven-day free trial and costs $29.99 monthly. They do not accept insurance at this time.
Rating of the Circles App
I have spent a considerable amount of time researching and reviewing online group therapy and support group companies to ensure consumers are finding exceptional services. In my independent review of the Circles app, they scored high in Cost and Customer Service categories. However, due to allowing peers to run groups without having mental health experience, Circles lost points in the Facilitator Qualification category.
Pros & Cons of the Circles App
Circles is an easy-to-use app that instantly gives you access to support groups covering topics like parenting, divorce, and grief. They provide both support group meetings and Masterclasses that run multiple times a day, seven days a week. Circles also offers a seven-day free trial. Unfortunately, they do not accept insurance, and the list of topics covered is somewhat limited.
Circles App Key Takeaways
- A subscription provides unlimited access to all the app’s features, which include circles (groups), Masterclass workshops, message forums, and peer-led circles.
- You do not have to use your real name in groups, and you will not be forced to participate.
- The group meetings are audio only. You’re muted upon entering the support group meeting and can use the hand-raise tool to join the conversation.
- The Circles app provides access to emotional support groups, but this is not considered group therapy.
- Members can host or “Guide” their own peer group support meetings at any time. Just click on ‘Guide a Room,’ choose a topic and set a date and time, and the meeting will appear on the main menu for others to join. Keep in mind that these rooms are not regulated.
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Final Verdict on the Circles App
The Circles app was very easy to use and introduced me to an incredible community of people who were supportive, welcoming, non judgemental, and kind. The facilitators in the circles I attended showed compassion and offered solid advice. While my experience was positive, I strongly recommend using the Circles app with caution. Without proper regulations in peer-guided rooms, I can see how it’s possible for some circles to turn toxic.
What Is the Circles App?
The Circles app, or circlesup on the web, provides unlimited access to online support group meetings, called circles, Masterclass workshops, and peer-led circles. Members can also chat with peers sharing similar experiences in the message board forums. Subscriptions cost $29.99 monthly and come with a seven-day free trial. Circles does not accept insurance.
Once you download the app and create an account, you’ll access the main menu. You’ll find a welcome message from a customer service rep in your inbox, which includes a self-assessment exercise to help you find the right circles to join. You can take a look around, view the hosts’ profiles, see the topics covered, and get a feel for how the app works. You must begin a seven-day free trial in order to attend a meeting or workshop.
Circles asks you, “What Brings You Here Today?” and provides a list of topics to choose from, which includes Autism, Body Image, Cancer, Caregiving, Chronic Illness, Disability, Grief, Infertility, LGBTQIA+, Menopause, Mental Health, Narcissistic Relationships, Parenting, Divorce, Sobriety, and Veterans. You choose the topics that resonate with you, and Circles places meetings and workshops covering those topics in your feed.
Circles, which is what they call the support groups, are audio-only, available daily at multiple times, and can be found on the Home tab. Scroll through the list of scheduled circles to join, or you can set a reminder to attend. Once you enter a circle or Masterclass workshop, you’ll be placed on mute. There are hand-raise, heart, and unmute buttons at the bottom of the screen for you to use to participate in meetings or workshops.
While circles are offered daily and run by vetted facilitators, Masterclasses aren’t offered as often and are run by professional partners and outside users. Members can also host their own peer support meetings at any time. Just click on ‘Guide a Room,’ choose a topic, and the meeting will appear on the main menu for others to join. Keep in mind that the peer-led support groups are not led by mental health professionals.
How Much Does the Circles App Cost?
The Circles App costs $29.99 monthly and offers a seven-day free trial.
Circles App Discounts
The Circles app wants to extend support to as many people as possible, so they offer financial assistance to those who qualify. Reach out to their customer care team at [email protected] to learn more.
How to Get Started with the Circles App
Getting started with Circles is incredibly easy and takes about five minutes to create an account. Simply follow the steps below to join your first group support meeting.
- Visit the Circles website or download the Circles App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Choose a topic.
- Enter your name or nickname, email address, and phone number.
- Click on ‘Begin Seven-Day Free Trial.’
- Find a meeting or workshop that resonates with you.
- Set a reminder to join a meeting or join a live meeting.
- Attend your first group support meeting.
Circles App Key Features
Circles’ key features provide support through licensed mental health professionals as well as peers. They include online support group meetings, called circles, Masterclass workshops, peer-led guided sessions, and message board forums. Circles costs $29.99 monthly and includes a seven-day free trial. They do not accept insurance at this time.
Online Support Group Meetings – Circles
The online support group meetings hosted by vetted mental health professionals are the primary feature of the Circles app. There are multiple meetings hosted several times a day that cover a variety of topics, like parenting help, grief and loss, and divorce counseling. While I found the list of topics to be somewhat limited, there are some specific topics that you don’t often find with online therapy companies, like dealing with menopause or narcissistic relationships. They also have one circle that’s simply titled “mental health,” that I found to be a bit too general. If you’re looking for a specific type of support that doesn’t fall into these categories, you can check out our list of the best online therapy companies available right now.
Members can join a support meeting at any time, although it’s highly recommended to join at the beginning of the circle so you don’t miss introductions and guidelines. I also felt like I gained the most benefits when attending the meeting from start to finish. They make it easy to access and participate in the circles. You’re only attending via audio, so it’s easy to jump in and listen while you’re on the go.
When you enter a group meeting, your mic will be muted, but there is an unmute button at the bottom of the screen for you to use to participate. There’s also a hand-raise button to request to speak and a heart button to show support to a peer. You can use the chat tool to share thoughts via text throughout the meeting as well. You don’t have to participate if you don’t want to, and you can remain anonymous by using a nickname at registration.
I attended several circles, and I found them to be very helpful. The facilitators that hosted my circles had impressive backgrounds and treated the group members with respect and care. The other members in my meetings were also respectful and considerate. I had a few issues with being able to hear some participants due to bad connections or technical issues, which was a little frustrating. Overall, I had a positive experience in Circles online support meetings.
Masterclass Workshops
Masterclass workshops are led by professional partners and outside users rather than the Circles’ facilitators. They’re much more educational than the meetings, but the participants still share personal stories that are relevant to the topic, so it could also be considered a source of support.
I attended a workshop titled ‘Unleash Your Bounce Back Power’ taught by a personal growth and finance coach. It was a fascinating talk about resilience, and the other members shared helpful stories that supplemented the conversation. Workshops are offered less often than circles, but I thought there was plenty to choose from that had eye-grabbing titles, like “Thriving Beyond Heartbreak” and “Embracing Your True Worth.”
Peer-to-Peer Support
The peer-to-peer support offered in Circles is quite remarkable. Between the message board forums and the ability to start your own support group at any time, it’s easy to connect with someone or multiple people in a time of crisis.
I jumped into a grief circle that was run by a “Guide” (a Circles user) that only had about five participants. I was a few minutes late, but the Guide immediately greeted me and updated me on the current conversation. I was pleasantly surprised by the level of trust among the members. It was clear they had no problems being open, honest, and vulnerable with one another.
The only issue I see with these peer-to-peer channels is that there are no monitors, and it doesn’t appear to be regulated. I thought maybe you had to pass a test or meet some requirements before you could start your own support group, but anyone can do it. While this process creates a convenient means of instant support, it may also lead to issues with ineffective or inappropriate guides.
Who Is the Circles App Right For?
The Circles app would be a great choice for anyone seeking professional and peer support, those who want 24/7 support, and users who are interested in personal development.
You Want Professional & Peer Support
The Circles app provides a nice blend of support from both mental health professionals and peers. This gives the service a well-rounded approach to support groups. The meetings run by vetted facilitators provide a lot of structure and solutions, while the peer-led support groups and message board forums provide comfort, empathy, and a sense of belonging.
You’re Looking for 24/7 Support
Because you can start a peer-run group and chat with other members at any time, Circles is a terrific app for those looking for 24/7 support. If you’re the type of person that experiences emotional low points or negative thoughts at odd hours, like late at night or early morning, it’s possible to find other Circles members that may also want to connect at those times.
You’re Interested in Personal Development
Circles Masterclass workshops add an educational element to the app, which is really helpful for those looking for personal development courses as well as group support. The workshops are taught by professional partners with Circles, and they cover a wide range of topics.
Who May Want an Alternative to Circles?
Circles offers some impressive group support services, but it’s not for everyone. Those who prefer to have live video sessions and anyone who wants a more personalized group matching approach will need to find an alternative.
You Want Live Video Sessions
All of Circles meetings are audio only. I personally found the audio to be sufficient for my meetings, but others may want a visual component for their online support groups. Being able to see members, make eye contact, and see facial expressions can add a lot of value to a group session. If you’d like to have video meetings instead, you may want to check out the Sesh app, which gives you the choice of audio and video or just audio.
You Prefer a More Personalized Experience
I was surprised to see how limited Circles’ onboarding process was. You basically just choose an area where you need support. There weren’t any questions regarding my age, gender, or lifestyle. If you’re looking for a more personalized experience, you may want to look at Grouport. They include a free consultation to help you find the right support group for you.
What Users Are Saying About the Circles App
The Circles App has a 4.8-star rating from 1.9K reviews in the Apple App Store and a 4.5-star rating from 255 reviews in the Google Play Store. In positive reviews, members mentioned loving the facilitators and meeting others who have had similar experiences. However, there were many complaints about glitches in the app and inappropriate behavior in peer-led group sessions.
Love the Facilitators
In the majority of positive reviews, the users express appreciation for their group facilitators, and many mention them by name. I also had great experiences with the facilitators that ran my meetings, as well as the hosts of the Masterclass workshops.
Comfort in Similar Experiences
Several reviewers shared feelings of relief due to finding other members that have had similar experiences. This is a huge deal when it comes to empathy and being able to connect with someone in a session. I was in a peer-led grief session with two members that had recently lost their partners, and I was incredibly moved by the conversation and comfort they offered one another.
Glitches with the App
There were many negative reviews that mentioned glitches with the app, especially with Android users. They cited issues with sending messages on the forums, being kicked out of meetings, and poor audio. I didn’t have this experience when using the Circles app, but I’m an Apple user.
Inappropriate Peer-Led Group Sessions
There were quite a few negative reviews about inappropriate behavior in peer-led groups. Some experienced discussions going off the rails and turning combative, and others stated there were even instances of cyber-bullying. One reviewer mentioned that the instance was reported to Circles’ “Trust and Safety” team, but there was no action taken.
Circles Vs. Competitors
Circles offers convenient access to a supportive community, but it’s not the only online support group service out there. Below is a brief comparison summary of Circles and two of its top competitors.
Circles Vs. Grouport
Grouport and Circles both offer online group support services, but they have one significant difference. The Circles app provides access to emotional support groups, and Grouport offers group therapy. Group therapy is run by licensed mental health providers who aim to provide solutions, tools, or treatment for mental health conditions in a group setting. A support group’s goal is to provide comfort and help those experiencing similar situations learn to cope.
All of Circles’ sessions are audio-only and available within the app, and Grouport’s meetings are video sessions accessed through their online platform. Grouport costs $140 monthly and includes a one-hour session each week. Circles is $29.99 a month and gives you unlimited access to support groups.
If you’re ready for therapy in a structured group setting, Grouport is a terrific online resource. If you’re looking for peer support in a more casual group setting, Circles would be a better choice.
Circles Vs. Sesh
Circles and Sesh have a lot of similarities. They both offer all of their services primarily through the apps, and they’re considered online support groups instead of group therapy. Sesh and Circles provide unlimited online group meetings run by licensed mental health professionals. However, Sesh meetings are done via video, and all of Circles’ sessions are audio only.
Sesh costs $60 a month, so it’s a bit pricier than Circles, but it’s a lot more organized. Sesh asks that you register for sessions ahead of time and you attend each session from beginning to end, while Circles allows members to hop in and out of groups at their convenience. Sesh will also charge you $20 for not showing up for a scheduled session, so if you’ve got a hectic schedule and you’re on a budget, I’d suggest starting with the Circles app.
History of Circles App
The Circles app was launched in 2020 by CEO Irad Eichler and CRO Dan Landa. Eichler told CTECH in 2022, “There’s something truly incredible that happens when people who are coping with similar challenges get together – and the better the match, the more powerful the group experience.” Since its start, Circles has gradually gained significant funding for expansion and is now a strong player in the mental health tech market.1
Frequently Asked Questions About the Circles App
What’s the Difference Between Group Therapy and Support Groups?
Group therapy sessions are run by licensed mental health providers who aim to provide solutions, tools, or treatment for mental health conditions in a group setting. A support group’s goal is to provide comfort and help those experiencing similar situations learn to cope.
Can You Remain Anonymous on the Circles App?
Yes, you can use a nickname or a different name when you register, and you don’t have to share your real name when participating in a group session.
Who Are the Moderators?
Circles facilitators are all highly qualified social workers, psychologists, or therapists. They go through a rigorous vetting and training process to ensure that their approach and caregiving techniques meet Circles’ standards.
Is the Circles App Legit?
Yes, I used the app and can confirm that it’s a legitimate company providing online support group services.
Does Circles Have an Age Limit?
You must be 18 or older to use the Circles app.
How Do I Cancel My Circles App Subscription?
You can cancel your Circles app subscription at any time by going to your phone’s app settings and choosing ‘Cancel Subscription.’
Does Circles Offer Refunds?
Circles will offer refunds in certain circumstances. Please visit Circles App Terms of Service and Privacy Policy for more information on refunds and cancellation policies.
