GPS Group Peer Support received a 2025 Global Recognition Award for its innovative group therapeutic model, which provides expanded mental health support to those in need. The organization, led by CEO Liz Friedman, provides free, evidence-based group care to individuals who may otherwise wait extended periods for traditional one-on-one therapy. GPS is a highly valued model, and the company’s MASStrong program has been recognized by both MA Governor Maura Healey and the Massachusetts state legislature as a gold standard program for healthcare providers across the Commonwealth.
Liz Friedman and her team designed GPS Group Peer Support to offer an alternative to the standard clinical one-on-one model for mental health services. The organization trains professionals and peers to lead trauma-informed, culturally responsive support group sessions. Research indicates these groups can be as effective as individual therapy while allowing more people to receive support. Its model incorporates approaches from cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness-based stress reduction within a group context, emphasizing safety and respect for all participants.
Legislative Developments and Sector Partnerships
One of GPS Group Peer Support’s flagship programs is MASStrong, which provides free mental health support groups for healthcare workers in Massachusetts. Partnerships with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the American Psychological Foundation, Perinatal Support International, the MA Association of Behavioral Health Systems, and numerous community organizations have enabled GPS Group Peer Support to develop sustainable systems for scaling evidence-based services statewide, expanding its work across the country to a range of communities, such as those in recovery, perinatal populations, refugees, and healthcare professionals.
Friedman’s policy work has contributed to legislative changes, most recently through the introduction of the MA GROUP Act, which proposes integrating group therapeutic care into the broader healthcare funding system. If passed, this legislation has the potential to increase access for millions, provided that a portion of traditional therapy is shifted to group settings. Friedman’s earlier advocacy includes helping to pass the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act in 2017, and contributing to laws such as the Massachusetts Ending Child Marriage Act of 2022 and the Equitable Disability Act of 2020. She serves on the MA Health Policy Commission’s Behavioral Health Workforce Center advisory group, ensuring policy is informed by people with lived experience.
Impact and Ongoing Work
GPS Group Peer Support has conducted thousands of support sessions, promoting group care as a practical and scalable option for mental health needs. This model can be introduced into existing systems with minimal additional costs and has demonstrated measurable improvements in participant outcomes. Friedman’s approach combines technology, evidence-based practices, and policy advocacy while addressing workforce shortages and other barriers to mental health care.
The organization has contributed to shifts in how communities address and understand mental health, while also helping to reduce the stigma associated with it. Friedman has been invited to share her expertise with state legislators and has been acknowledged by organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers, Massachusetts Chapter. Her work on perinatal mental health has been featured in two documentaries, “Dark Side of the Full Moon” and “Not Carol,” which have helped reach a wider audience.
Final Words
Friedman brings decades of experience in the mental health sector and continues to oversee efforts that provide care to underserved populations. GPS Group Peer Support is one of the only national organisations to combine peer-led support, clinical best practices, and policy advocacy in a single, scalable model, while adapting its programs for diverse populations, including refugees, healthcare workers, and new parents.
GPS continues to extend its reach through new partnerships, facilitator training, and policy initiatives. Its model demonstrates that group-based mental health care is practical and accessible, supporting broad access to care and equipping facilitators to create supportive, trauma-informed environments.
