Group Therapy FAQs

 

What are the benefits of group therapy?

Research shows that group therapy, in general, tends to be as effective as individual therapy in addressing a number of issues.  Group therapy has a number of benefits for participants.  In general, it tends to be less expensive than individual therapy, and members are able to give a receive support from a community of other people. Participation in groups provides members with the structure and opportunity to improve self-awareness, communication skills and interpersonal skills. Members provide each other with a support network and sounding board to help each other bring about personal growth and change.

What is a closed therapy group?

Therapy groups can be either open or closed. Open therapy groups are ones in which new members can join at any time.  Closed therapy groups are ones in which all of the members join at the same time and complete all of the sessions together.  FREE is a closed therapy group, which means you are committing to an 8-week process with a community of individuals with similar clinical goals.

Is group therapy confidential?

Everyone participating in a group session will be asked to maintain the confidentiality of others in the group.  Although group members begin as strangers, members tend to quickly view themselves as a supportive and valuable community.  However, please note that there can be no complete guarantee of privacy in a group setting.  Utilize discretion when divulging information, but remember that groups work best when members are open and honest.  In addition, to help ensure confidentiality, it is recommended that you participate in scheduled sessions in a private location. It is also recommended that you utilize headphones or earphones if you have any concerns that the group’s discussion may be overheard.

Can anyone participate in F.r.e.e.?

F.R.E.E. is open to individuals, 18 and older, who reside in California.  Interested individuals will be asked to participate in a brief screening to ensure appropriateness for the group. If the group does not appear to be the best option for you, appropriate referrals will be provided.

Is F.R.E.E. appropriate for someone with a diagnosed eating disorder?

F.R.E.E. is not appropriate for someone with a diagnosed eating disorder such as bulimia or anorexia.  If you have been diagnosed with one of these issues or suspect that you may be suffering from one of these issues, specialized medical and psychiatric treatment is required.

Can I attend only some of the 8 sessions?

When signing up for a F.R.E.E. Group, you are committing to the entire 8 sessions.  This is a closed group with a limited number of spaces.  Your active and consistent participation is an invaluable aspect of the group therapy process. 

Can I attend individual therapy sessions while attending group therapy sessions?

Many clients benefit from simultaneously attending individual and group therapy sessions.  If you already have a therapist and are considering the additional support of the group, feel free to consult with your therapist. If you are interested in beginning individual therapy please contact Shawan who will provide you with a free consultation to help determine the best way to meet your specific needs.

Does this group include dieting or advice about nutrition?

This is a psychotherapy group that focuses on mental health issues as they relate to eating.  No dieting, exercising, nutritional or medical advice will be given. Members are referred to their primary care physicians or other care providers for any questions not related to mental health. 

How do I JOIN A group session?

We use SecureVideo, a HIPAA compliant videoconferencing platform, for F.R.E.E. sessions. Once you sign up for F.R.E.E., you will receive an email, inviting you to the session via SecureVideo.  The email invitation will include a “Join Session” link. At the time of your session, use the “Join Session” button in the e-mail.  You'll be taken to a page to enter your credit card information. The last field will allow you to enter an email address to receive your email receipt. After you have successfully paid for the session, you will be taken to a confirmation page that your Payment is Complete. On this page, click on the "Go to Dashboard" button to continue. On the next page click the "Enter Waiting Room" button. If this is your first time joining a session on this device, you'll be prompted to download and install Zoom. Depending on your browser/operating system, you may have to give Zoom permission to launch. When Zoom has successfully launched, you'll see the following message: “Please wait for the host to start this meeting.” Please wait for Shawan to connect to you. Once connected, you'll be prompted to choose how to enable your audio. Click "Join Audio by Computer" to use your computer's microphone and speakers.

If you have questions, or would like detailed step by step instructions, please visit https://hub.securevideo.com/Knowledge/Details/248.

How do I pay for F.R.E.E.?

Participants will be prompted to pay for F.R.E.E. right before joining the session. Payment can be made via credit card.