Nurturing Support for Authentic Lives
Being a part of the LGBTQ community can bring about unique challenges, including societal stigma, feelings of not belonging, and the internal struggle for self-acceptance. We recognize the increased risk of mental health concerns within the LGBTQ community. This group focuses on fostering emotional wellness, addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, isolation, and self-esteem, and building healthy coping mechanisms
The goals of this group are to create a safe space where participants feel comfortable expressing feelings, increase self-awareness through group process and reflection, enhance the sense of self through awareness and acceptance, learn positive emotional regulation skills, support others, and be supported. We empower you to cultivate resilience, build self-compassion, and create a more adaptive mindset.
LGBTQ Affirmative Psychotherapy has four main general goals:
1. to relieve current mental health concerns with an understanding that societal hostility (homo/bi/transphobia) may be a significant causative factor.
2. to disentangle the traumatic injuries associated with oppression from the intrinsic, normal, healthy, and meaningful manifestations of sexual and gender diversity.
3. to foster personal and relational empowerment (e.g. with intimate partners, chosen family, friends, and community); and
4. to build core (inner) strength based on a greater understanding of one’s lived experience and purpose as an LGBTQ person.
Session 1:
Introductions. Participants will share their names, gender pronouns they use, and anything else they’d like to share about their background Participants will have the opportunity to share challenges as well as hopes and intentions for the group. The therapist will guide the group through positive coping skills.
Session 2:
Group members will be able to identify and share their hopes for the future. Group members will be able to hear different perspectives of hope from other group members. Group members will be able to identify and discuss their coping skills.
Session 3:
The therapist will teach mindfulness-based stress reduction and lead the group through a session. Group members will learn breathing exercises to regulate emotions. Group members will learn free writing techniques to calm intense emotions. Group members will have the opportunity to share and learn from one another.
Session 4:
Members will learn how hope can be an active process that helps with stress and adversity. Group members will discuss the relationship between hope and coping. Group members will participate in a contemplative envisioning activity to increase their sense of hope.
Session 5:
Group members will be able to connect and discuss their hopes for the future. Members will become more aware of emotions they are experiencing and able to practice emotional regulation practices to process and release emotions through EFT Tapping (Emotional Freedom Technique).
Session 6:
Group members will increase self-awareness on the various parts and aspects about themselves. Group members will have the opportunity to practice self-compassion as a way to release self-judgment and self-criticism.
Session 7:
Group members will learn to have the opportunity to talk about negative and positive relationships in their life, address resentments, past regrettable moments, and negative experiences. Group members will be able to support one another through shares and determine best steps for attending to negative experiences.
Session 8:
Members will be able to synthesize what has been learned and gained by the group members throughout this experience. Members will also get a chance to share positive feelings and hopes for the future with fellow members. Additionally, the purpose is to bring closure to the group and the group members’ experience. Group members will be able to reflect on the group experience and influence in their lives. Group members will be able to apply this knowledge in the form of advice for others. Group members will be able to share positive thoughts and hopes for fellow group members.
It is common for some to feel nervous initially when joining a group. However, after some time you may feel more supported, self-confident, and self-assured. The eight-session group therapy sessions serve to be interactive and psychoeducational with the aim of encouraging constructive behaviors and healthy ways of coping while providing a supportive environment. Participants will learn positive coping skills, ways to self-regulate emotions, manage stress and anxiety, and increase a sense of hope.
The cost is $100 per session. Group meets every Thursday 5:00 pm – 5:50 pm. If you’d like to use insurance for this group, please send your insurance information.
Feel free to reach out for a 20-minute phone consultation.
Email: cathyltrenary@gmail.com
Phone: 703-283-5662