About Group Therapy
One of the hardest parts about emotional suffering is feeling alone. It is wonderful to have an individual therapist understand and it can be especially healing to feel connected with others who are coping with similar concerns. I find that this is especially true for pregnant women and new parents. You are not walking alone.
Common Questions About Group Therapy
There can be multiple purposes to group therapy. Three primary purposes of group therapy are: (1) psychoeducation, (2) support, and (3) process. Psychoeducation means that I, as the therapist facilitating group, may provide information to the group. For example in the group for pregnant moms, I may share information about perinatal anxiety, provide information about coping skills, or facilitate mindfulness exercises for the group. Secondly, group is supportive because group members offer encouragement and feedback to each other. In general, sharing with others in a safe place promotes support. The third element of group therapy is interpersonal process. Many people who seek therapy need to establish new ways of interacting with the others and the world. For example, maybe feelings of insecurity are overwhelming and by practicing in group to share those feelings you can develop new ways of interacting in relationships outside of group. I often share this document to help explain some of the ways group process might facilitate personal growth.
All group members are asked to agree to confidentiality, but I cannot guarantee everyone will abide by this agreement. As an agreement to participating in group therapy, members commit to not sharing any content discussed in group outside of group. This is discussed with each group member prior to joining group and we discuss it during group sessions periodically. There is some risk that other group members may break this mutual confidentiality agreement and share something outside of group.
Group members are discouraged from forming friendships outside of group therapy. Friendships in group can cause other members to feel excluded which can detract from their experience. Groups typically run for a set number of weeks (e.g. 8 weeks) and after group ends friendships are certainly permitted. If members agree to have their contact information shared, I am happy to facilitate sharing that information among members.
Typically, group therapy has 5 to 8 members. I run groups with a minimum of 3 members and I cap groups at 10 members.
Online Pregnancy Support Group
This group is for women in any stage of pregnancy who may be experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression. Group therapy can be a stand alone treatment or in combination with individual psychotherapy or psychiatric medication. We meet online via secure video conferencing. The group is open to first-time parents and more experienced parents. Must be a resident of Maryland.
Send me an email to get on the list.
Online New Parent Support Group
This group is for parents with a baby under 15 months. Group therapy can be a stand alone treatment or in combination with individual psychotherapy or psychiatric medication. We meet online via secure video conferencing. This group is open to adoptive parents in addition to birth parents. The group is open to first-time parents and more experienced parents. Must be a resident of Maryland.
Send me an email to get on the list.
