Denver Group Therapy

A Third Place: Therapy in a Group

“Finding out what connects us, reveling in our differences; this is the process that brings us closer, that gives us a world of shared values, of meaningful community.”
– bell hooks

I know therapy groups appear scary at the onset, but we are in “groups” all the time—from the microlevel: being in a couple, a family, or with coworkers; to the macrolevel: being part of a state or a nation. And yet, we aren’t taught or shown how to be in a group well. Often, we only learn this from our family or workplaces. Why not learn to do “group” better? My colleague and I offer such a group…to learn, to practice, and to get long term support all while contributing to an amazing community.

Myths about Group Therapy

I don’t feel comfortable or safe talking and sharing things about me with people I don’t know. Trust and safety are built as the group progresses, and you will be surprised at the relief and comfort you feel as you get to know other members in the group and take the risk to share on your own timeline. Most of the beloved people in your life, besides your family, were strangers at one point and trust was built with them. That will happen in the group, too.
Everyone will sit around and must have a catharsis publicly, with everyone watching, and learning your deepest, darkest secrets. In our group, we support one another, and you share what you want, when you want, and an experience where you will be humiliated publicly is ever allowed. Groups develop trust and safety, together.
My problems aren’t as bad as everyone else’s, so it’s not for me because I won’t fit in, or I will only be judged. When we compare our experiences, we rob ourselves of a chance to feel joy and to learn. If you’ve been harmed by groups in the past, this is a great place to heal those hurts. You deserve to have a place to feel safe and to practice compassion for others and yourself.

Benefits to Group Therapy

Reduced Isolation and Stigma: group therapy provides a space where you realize you are not alone in your struggles, which can be incredibly validating and comforting.
Enhanced Social Skills: The group setting offers a safe environment to practice communication, active listening, and conflict resolution, leading to improved social interactions in real-life situations.
Development of Support Networks: Group members often form strong bonds and offer ongoing encouragement and accountability, extending beyond the therapy sessions.
Diverse Perspectives and Shared Experiences: Hearing from others with similar struggles can provide new insights, coping strategies, and a sense of shared humanity, enriching the therapeutic process.
Cost-Effectiveness: Group therapy is typically more affordable than individual therapy, and it can enhance any work that you are doing in individual therapy work. It can get you more therapy at less cost.
Improved Self-Awareness: Group discussions and activities encourage introspection, helping you gain a deeper understanding of your behaviors, emotions, and thought patterns, and a way to change those patterns.
Sense of Belonging: Feeling connected to others who understand your challenges can be a powerful source of healing and motivation for change.
Role Modeling: Seeing others successfully navigate similar issues can provide hope and inspiration for recovery from your own problems.
Practice and Application: The group setting allows for practical application of new skills and coping mechanisms learned in therapy, promoting real-world change.

A Third Place Group

In today’s divisive times, the importance of a third place is becoming not just a luxury, but a necessity. We need more than just primary and secondary places of home and work. We need more than just a quick meet up or random activity. We need our third place to be an antidote to the fear, hopelessness, and isolation that is so common in our world right now. We need our third place to offer deep belonging and a sense of community. We are offering such a place.

A Third Place is an exciting new group for authentic relating in long term community. In this group, we will help you wrestle with hard elements of your own life and the world at large, while being seen and held in a community of your own. We will do this by practicing together, by getting to know one another on a deep level, and bravely sharing ourselves. We will build skill by being willing to understand our and another’s worldview, to admit our shortcomings and continue to hold our center without collapsing or inflating. Learning to relate in this way will allow you to take more power, compassion, and love into your intimate relationships, your families, your job, your neighborhood, and to ultimately change patterns in the culture.

Meeting Times

This group meets every other week, from January-May, and July-November, for a total of two cycles per year. The group opens for enrollment the first two weeks in January and July for new members. Existing members may stay enrolled from cycle to cycle.
Sessions are two hours, twice a month, and held every other Monday from 4-6pm, or every other Friday from 9:15-11:15am, for a total of 10 sessions per cycle.

Cost

Payment plan of $200/month, or $1000 total for the cycle.
$50 deposit holds your spot for the next cycle when enrollment opens, and it counts towards your first payment.

Requirements

Currently in counseling, or recent experience of at least one year in counseling, and/or a 12-step or similar program.
Ability to self-regulate.

This group is open to all gender and orientation expressions.

Ready to take the leap to learn and grow? Come play with us! Schedule a call to find out how A Third Place Group could be just the right fit for you.