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Process therapy group

Process therapy group

Training group for mental health professionals

Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy where a trained therapist works with a small group of people. Unlike individual therapy where you work one-on-one with a therapist, group therapy harnesses the power of interaction, connection, diversity, and belonging as part of the therapeutic process. The therapist facilitates discussions, guides the group dynamics, and helps members learn from each other. Research indicates that group therapy effectiveness is equivalent or superior to the benefits of individual therapy.

A process group focuses on the "here and now" interactions between group members rather than on specific symptoms or structured exercises. Instead of following a predetermined curriculum, process groups examine what's happening in the room as it unfolds — how members relate to each other, what emotions come up during interactions, and what patterns emerge. Process groups are particularly valuable because they provide a microcosm of real life where people can see their interpersonal patterns clearly, experiment with new ways of relating, and receive honest feedback in a supportive environment.

If your challenges involve relationships or emotions, a therapy group might be able to help. The group setting provides a real-time laboratory for experimenting with interpersonal skills and processing emotions with others. Group therapy is particularly helpful for developing confidence, learning about your interpersonal patterns, connecting with others more deeply, and making room for all of your feelings. It is a joy to find a healthy place for your love, anger, longing, sadness, fear, and sexuality.

Our groups have a maximum of eight members. This size allows for meaningful connection with each member while providing diverse perspectives and experiences.

Each session lasts 90 minutes. Our groups are ongoing, meaning the group continues even as individual members come and go. Most members benefit from longer-term participation, as new issues tend to arise once trust and deeper relationships are built within the group.

We offer both formats, and there are benefits to each. In-person groups provide the full experience of being physically present with others. Online groups offer greater accessibility and convenience while still providing meaningful connection and therapeutic benefit. Both formats are therapeutically effective.

Yes, group therapy is confidential with the same protections as individual therapy. The group leader and all group members agree to hold all information regarding group participants as private. This mutual commitment to confidentiality creates the foundation necessary for meaningful therapeutic work.

This is a very common concern, and you're not expected to jump in immediately. Group members are encouraged to participate at their own pace, and the group leader will help create an environment where you can gradually become more comfortable. Many people find that observing others initially helps them feel more at ease. Working through that anxiety in the supportive group setting can itself be valuable for your overall growth.

In process groups, there's no predetermined agenda or structured exercises. Sessions begin with members sharing what's present for them, and the conversation develops organically. The focus is on expressing feelings and thoughts openly and honestly, exploring relationships and interactions as they happen, and understanding patterns rather than giving advice or trying to fix each other. All feelings about group members, including the therapist, are important to discuss.

Every group starts with a shared agreement so that members know what to expect from each other. We call this the "group agreement". While each group may adapt slightly, our agreements typically include: Confidentiality — you are free to talk about your own experience in the group with others outside the group, and are encouraged to do so if you want, but each member agrees not to share the personal information of other group members. Equal share of time — each member agrees to take an equal portion of the talking time across sessions, so that no one consistently dominates and no one consistently disappears. Put it into words — this is a talking group, not an acting group. Members agree to express their feelings, thoughts, and reactions verbally rather than acting on them. No contact outside of group — group members agree to not have contact with other group members outside of group. This keeps the group a safe place to be honest and ensures that what happens in the group stays in the group. Respect for all identities — members agree to be respectful of the visible and invisible identities of every person in the group. Tell the emotionally significant story of your life — members are encouraged to bring what truly matters, not just surface updates, but the feelings, history, dreams, fantasies, wishes, and desires that shape who you are and which show up with you. Seek to understand — rather than giving advice or trying to fix each other, members agree to try to understand the reasons behind each other's feelings and experiences.

Absolutely. Many people find the combination works very well. Individual therapy gives you a private space to explore personal issues, while group therapy provides opportunities to experiment with what you're learning and work on interpersonal skills in real time. This combination has been called an ideal therapeutic pairing — you get both the focused attention of individual work and the real-world interpersonal learning that only a group can provide.

As relationships deepen and trust builds, interpersonal conflict and difficult feelings will arise. This is an inevitable and important part of the process. When conflict occurs, we talk about it. Members put into words what is going on and the group leader helps members work through it. This might be surprising, but often the person who challenges you the most turns out to be one of the most important people in your growth — the difficulty itself is the opportunity, because it brings your patterns into the room where they can actually be worked on. In this way, group members learn new and healthy ways of relating, connecting, and belonging.