Group Therapy
Our Group Therapy Services support those looking to address concerns and make positive changes in their lives through a group setting.
Joining a group of strangers may initially sound vulnerable. However, group therapy provides benefits that individual therapy may not. One therapist leads a group of six to ten patients through a one-hour weekly session. Group members are often surprised by how rewarding and effective the group experience can be. Some of the benefits of group therapy are:
Universality: Realizing you are not alone.
Altruism: Providing support and encouragement to others, fostering a sense of belonging and connection.
Interpersonal Learning: Feedback provides other perspectives and allows one to look at things differently.
Catharsis: Sharing emotions in a safe environment provides emotional release.
Skill Development: The group provides a safe space to practice communication skills and build a toolbox of skills, which builds self-confidence in one’s ability to communicate effectively.
Normalization: Realizing that it is human nature to have difficulties in life and to be witnessed and to witness can help ease discomfort.
Many people experience mental health difficulties, but few speak openly about them –– group therapy helps you realize you’re not alone. Regularly talking and listening to others can help you put your own problems in perspective, and working in a group with others who suffer from the same or similar problems removes the feeling of isolation.
Our Groups
Rainbow Refuge for Queer (LGBTQIA2+) Adults (18+)
The purpose of this group is to provide a safe, non-judgmental, and empowering space for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual/Pansexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, A-Sexual, A-Romantic, A-Gender, Intersex, 2-Spirit, HIV+, and More (LGBTQIA2+) adults, ages 18+, to process their experiences and personal victories while receiving empathetic and understanding support from other members of their communities.
Participants who attend this group should be mindful that they may hear upsetting things, and therefore, should be ready to use coping skills and support others to do the same. The following agreements are required to participate: respect everyone’s privacy and individual story; assume good intent; seek understanding, don’t blame; and take space, make space. Participants must be willing to act under these agreements before attending the group.
Schedule: Wednesday from 5:30-6.30 pm. Group will be offered in a hybrid format (Zoom and at our Campbell clinic). There is a limit on attendees, no more than 10 are to attend a group. Please confirm attendance and enrollment with Kristina Baker Hart.
Therapist: Kristina Baker Hart, LCSW
Women’s Support Group
The purpose of this group is to provide a safe and non-judgmental space for adult women 18 + to process any difficult emotions or challenges while receiving support from other women who are empathetic and understanding. Participants who attend this group should be mindful that they may hear upsetting things and, therefore, should have some emotional regulation skills. The following agreements are asked to participate:
- respect everyone’s privacy and individual story
- assume good intent
- seek understanding, don’t blame
- take space, make space.
Participants must be willing to act under these agreements before attending.
Schedule: Wednesday at 3:00 pm. There is a limit on attendees, no more than ten are to attend a group. Please confirm attendance and enrollment with Chandra Hoelsken.
Therapist: Chandra Hoelsken, LMFT
Anxiety Reduction and Mood Management Workshop
This is an 8-week skills-based psycho-educational workshop focused on learning evidence-based practical tools for coping with stress, anxiety, and mood difficulty.
This workshop will help you:
- Increase your sense of emotional well-being
- Practice strategies to calm your mind and body
- Learn grounding techniques (Body Scan, Five Senses)
- Learn DBT techniques (TIPP) for anxiety reduction
- Practice progressive Muscle Relaxation
- Incorporate diaphragmatic breathing
- Use guided Imagery and Visualizations
- Practice tapping
- Increase your mindfulness
- Learn to better manage emotional distress when feeling overwhelmed (ACCEPTS technique – Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
- Learn Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to help you identify your own pattern of negative self-talk, automatic thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (Cognitive Restructuring and Thought Replacement)
- Learn how to increase vitality and reduce suffering
- Develop self-compassion and self-acceptance through exercises like Expansion Meditation (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
Schedule:
Adolescent Group: Monday 4-5 pm | Facilitator: Jeremy Kernion, LCSW
Adult Group: Mondays 6-7 pm | Facilitator: Erin Magnusson, LCSW
This workshop will be conducted in 8-week cycles, and enrollment will be ongoing. Participants are expected to attend all eight sessions.
Safe Space for Queer (LGBTQIA2+) Youth Group
The purpose of this group is to provide a safe, non-judgmental, and empowering space for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual/Pansexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, A-Sexual, A-Romantic, A-Gender, Intersex, 2-Spirit, HIV+, and More (LGBTQIA2+) youth, ages 13-19, to process their challenging experiences and personal victories while receiving support from empathetic and understanding members of their communities.
Participants who attend this group should be mindful that they may hear upsetting things and, therefore, should be ready to use coping skills and support others in the group to do the same. The following agreements are asked to participate:
- respect everyone’s privacy and individual story
- assume good intent
- seek understanding, don’t blame
- take space, make space.
Participants must be willing to act under these agreements before attending.
Schedule: Monday at 5:30 pm. The group will be held in a hybrid format on Zoom or at the LGTC San Jose office. There is a limit on attendees; no more than ten are to attend a group. Please confirm attendance and enrollment with Kristina Baker Hart.
Therapist: Kristina Baker Hart, LCSW
Easy to get started
Click the "Register Here" link below
You will be asked a series of questions that will help us understand how to support you best. This process will take about 5-10 minutes. During the registration process, we will need a picture of the front and back of your insurance card to be uploaded.
After you complete the registration, we will call you!
The patient coordinator will schedule an initial assessment appointment, usually within three business days of submitting the form. The patient care coordinator will contact you to review and verify your information and help you set up an assessment based on your needs.
Scheduling your appointment
You will be provided with a behavioral health questionnaire, which you should complete before your initial assessment appointment.