Group Sessions
Group Sessions
Group trauma care sessions are structured therapeutic environments where individuals who have experienced trauma come together to share, process, and heal collectively. These sessions are facilitated and are a safe, supportive space for participants to engage with one another while navigating the complexities of their shared or individual traumatic experiences. The sessions often blend educational elements, mindfulness practices, guided discussions, and emotional support.
In a group setting, individuals are encouraged to share their experiences, but they are not forced to do so. The goal is to reduce isolation and shame, while fostering connection and mutual understanding among participants. Group therapy can offer a sense of solidarity, showing individuals that they are not alone in their struggles and providing them with a network of support that can extend beyond the therapy room.
Benefits of Group Trauma Care Sessions
Normalization of Trauma Responses:
Group settings allow participants to realize that trauma can manifest in many ways (e.g., anxiety, anger, depression) and that their reactions are not signs of weakness, but normal responses to abnormal situations.
Shared Understanding and Connection:
One of the most powerful aspects of group therapy is the feeling of connection to others who have faced similar challenges. Women often realize that their emotions, reactions, and experiences are not unique to them, reducing feelings of isolation.
Mutual Support and Empathy:
Group members can offer empathy, encouragement, and comfort to one another, creating a space where compassion flows freely. This can help break down the emotional walls that often arise in response to trauma.
Reduced Stigma and Shame:
Hearing others share their stories can help reduce feelings of shame or guilt associated with trauma. Participants may feel more comfortable opening up once they witness the vulnerability and courage of others.
Diverse Perspectives:
Each participant brings a unique viewpoint to the group, which can enhance the healing process. Diverse perspectives can offer new coping strategies, different ways of framing traumatic events, and shared resources.
Sense of Belonging:
Group therapy fosters a sense of community and belonging, which can be essential for people recovering from trauma. The sense of being understood and accepted can be a catalyst for healing.
Opportunities for Growth and Learning:
Group sessions often focus on learning coping mechanisms, emotional regulation skills, and trauma-informed techniques. This provides individuals with tools they can apply to their everyday lives.
Topics That Could Be Explored in Group Trauma Care Sessions
Understanding Trauma and Its Effects
Group members can offer empathy, encouragement, and comfort to one another, creating a space where compassion flows freely. This can help break down the emotional walls that often arise in response to trauma.
Grief and Loss
Trauma often involves loss—whether of a loved one, a sense of security, or one’s previous identity. Grief is explored in various forms, helping individuals process loss in a safe and supportive environment.
Self-Compassion and Healing
Teaching group members how to treat themselves with kindness and patience is vital for recovery. The group can share strategies for developing self-compassion, understanding that healing is a non-linear journey.
Rebuilding Identity After Trauma
Trauma can fundamentally alter how people see themselves. This topic focuses on redefining one’s identity after experiencing significant hardship, and how to embrace a future that is not defined by past trauma.
Relapse Prevention and Sustaining Progress
For individuals in longer-term recovery, group sessions may address how to maintain progress, anticipate potential setbacks, and prevent re-traumatization.
Building Safety and Trust
Many trauma survivors have difficulty trusting others. Sessions can focus on how to create a sense of emotional safety within the group and how to rebuild trust in others and oneself.
Post-Traumatic Growth
Not all trauma leads to long-term suffering. Some individuals experience growth as they move through the healing process. This topic encourages group members to explore how they might find meaning or strength in their trauma and reclaim their personal power.
Dealing with Triggers and Flashbacks
Group members can explore specific triggers that bring up traumatic memories, as well as strategies for grounding themselves during flashbacks or intense emotional reactions.
Boundaries and Relationships
Trauma often impacts how individuals relate to others. Group discussions can center on setting healthy boundaries, recognizing red flags in relationships, and rebuilding trust in interpersonal connections.
Emotional Regulation and Coping Skills
Group members can learn strategies for managing overwhelming emotions. This might include mindfulness practices, grounding techniques, deep breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation.
Cognitive Reframing and Challenging Negative Beliefs
Trauma can distort how people view themselves and the world. Group members can work together to identify and challenge harmful thought patterns (e.g., “I am broken,” or “The world is unsafe”) and replace them with healthier beliefs.
Forgiveness and Letting Go
For some, trauma involves feelings of betrayal or anger toward others. Group sessions might include conversations around forgiveness—not necessarily as an act for the person who caused harm, but as a tool for personal healing.
Somatic Awareness
Trauma can become “stored” in the body, leading to physical symptoms such as chronic pain or tension. This topic can include somatic techniques for helping participants become more attuned to how their body reacts to stress and learning how to release that tension.
“Comfort comes from knowing that people have made the same journey. And solace comes from understanding how others have learned to sing again.”
Helen Steiner Rice
Who is this for?
How?
One of the most powerful aspects of group therapy is the feeling of connection to others who have faced similar challenges. Women often realize that their emotions, reactions, and experiences are not unique to them, reducing feelings of isolation.
Where?
There are online options where you can join from the safety of your home, or there are in-person options available.
What it can do for you?
So many things! There are countless benefits to group therapy, and it can be a huge encouragement to women as they realize their not alone! Jump into a group session today to experience the benefits for yourself!
Frequently Asked Questions
Each person is unique, and their path to healing is as well. Because of this, some people will just need one session to help get some tools to help them process or cope with a critical incident, and others may need 3-5 sessions. Sometimes women want to meet every other day for a short amount of time, and others want to space out their sessions. The number of sessions and the space between them is up to you. You have control over how many you’d like to have.
I can send you a list of the different packages. I offer a discount to those who pay for 3 or 5 sessions in advance. Discounts are also given to students attending university.
Yes! This really is a safe space. I am for you, and I do not share what is shared with anyone else. Many times I hear the hardest part of people’s lives, heavy loads they’ve been carrying alone for a long time… and people feel relieved (and a little scared at first) to be listened to and affirmed. I’ll be an advocate for healing and health for you on your journey.
Creative Healing
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
CS Lewis
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