I offer teletherapy groups for specific purposes that work well in the group format. The groups I offer are open, meaning that new people can join any time, and all virtual, meaning there will not be some people meeting in person and others joining virtually. Right now, I have three group teletherapy programs running:
- Fear of flying teletherapy groups
- Fear of public speaking teletherapy groups
- Group teletherapy for young adults
Feel free to contact me or schedule a consultation anytime about these teletherapy groups, but here is some general information.
More About My Teletherapy Groups
Right now, I am running the following group teletherapy services:
Fear of Flying Teletherapy Group
This group comprises adults with significant anxiety about flying. Most group members either don’t fly at all or seriously limit their flying. Many suffer from both anticipatory anxiety and fears the day of the flight. Most have never experienced a problem aboard an aircraft but developed flight anxiety anyway. The group teletherapy format is ideal for a fear-of-flying group because you feel understood, supported, and connected without pressure to move faster than you are comfortable. Your hopefulness and confidence will increase as fellow group members succeed.
Fear of Public Speaking Teletherapy Group
This group is made up of adults who face fear and anxiety when they need to speak in front of a group of any size. For some, part of their work requires them to speak in front of others, while others get nervous when speaking in front of a small group in an informal situation. This group teletherapy experience is innovative and unique in that we review public speaking lessons and anxiety treatment strategies. In other words, no matter what your fears are, you will learn ways to be a better public speaker, and that, along with specific therapeutic techniques, will help you overcome your fears.
Young Adults Group Teletherapy
Young adulthood is a time of significant change, with a lot of important decision-making about careers, social life, and family relationships. It is an exciting time, but the pressure and worry can lead to a lack of contentment and a feeling that there is not enough meaning in life. My young adult group teletherapy service allows you to share your fears, hopes, worries, and expectations with others who fully understand. You’ll learn a lot from each other, and also we’ll go over ways to increase coping strategies, confidence, meaningfulness, and existential comfort.
Group Therapeutic Approaches
I use a combination of the following approaches in group teletherapy:
Group therapy encompasses various clinical approaches aimed at facilitating psychological growth and healing within a group setting. Here are some common clinical approaches used in group therapy:
Psychoeducational Group Teletherapy
This approach focuses on providing group members with information about mental health conditions, solutions, coping strategies, and communication skills. Psychoeducation aims to enhance understanding, give you a toolkit to use outside of sessions, and ensure you take away conrete ideas and strategies you may not have thought of. .
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
CBT in a group teletherapy setting involves identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and maladaptive behaviors. Group members learn to recognize cognitive distortions (for example irrational and exaggerated worries) and develop healthier coping mechanisms through exercises, discussions, and homework.
Supportive Group Teletherapy
This approach emphasizes empathy, validation, and mutual support among group members. It provides a safe space for members to express their emotions, share experiences, and receive validation from others facing similar challenges. You can participate as much or as little as you’d like, and no matter what you will likely feel understood and validated.
Mindfulness-Based Approaches
Mindfulness-based group therapies integrate mindfulness meditation practices with cognitive and behavioral techniques. Group members learn to cultivate present-moment awareness, self-compassion, and acceptance to manage stress, anxiety, and depression.
Existential Group Teletherapy
Existential therapy focuses on exploring existential themes such as freedom, meaning, and isolation. Group members reflect on their values, beliefs, and life purpose to confront existential anxiety and find deeper meaning in their experiences. THis approach is most common in my young adults groups
I tailor there clinical approaches to the specific needs of the group and the individuals involved.
Benefits of Teletherapy Groups
The benefits of teletherapy groups include:
Accessibility of Teletherapy Groups
Group teletherapy offers increased accessibility for individuals with difficulty attending in-person sessions due to geographical constraints or scheduling conflicts. You can join a group of your choice that has a good reputation or uses the approach you are looking for, even if the psychologist is not near where you live. The convenience of teletherapy groups is particularly attractive to those with busy schedules or hurdles such as childcare, making going to an office difficult.
Comfort and Relative Anonymity
Teletherapy groups can offer a sense of anonymity and comfort for participants who may feel more at ease discussing sensitive topics from the privacy of their own homes. Most of the group teletherapy services I offer revolve around topics that may be sensitive, such as anxieties and fears. For some, the comfort of the virtual experience means a lot. While you cannot guarantee that you will not see someone you know in the group, it is unlikely that a group like the ones I offer brings in people from 42 states. You do not have to go to an office where people might see you entering with group teletherapy.
Challenges with Group Teletherapy
It’s important to note that teletherapy groups may present certain challenges compared to traditional in-person therapy, including:
Technological glitches and Group Teletherapy
While technological issues such as “freezing” and temporary Wi-Fi losses can easily be overcome in virtual individual therapy, the problem is multiplied in group teletherapy because of the number of people involved. It is vital that people work as hard as they can to be in a place where the Wi-Fi signal is strong and the potential for interruption is low.
Teletherapy Groups and Nonverbal Cues
A virtual meeting presents some challenges with picking up nonverbal cues and communication. Body language can be harder to read, for example. This is why I ask that anyone participating in my teletherapy groups leave their camera and microphone on throughout the time.
Privacy and Confidentiality
I take steps to ensure the security of the online platform, so much of the challenge in this area requires the group participants to follow certain guidelines for confidentiality and participation. Most of these instructions are easy, such as ensuring your screen is facing away from any direction where another person could see it, not repeating any names of people in the group outside the group, and being in a private place during the group session.
Summary and My Current Teletherapy Groups
Overall, teletherapy groups can be a valuable and effective option for those seeking mental health support, and I choose group topics that work well in this format. I use state-of-the-art portals for this work to assure your privacy and confidentiality. Right now, I have the teletherapy groups listed on this post, and you can learn about new groups by going to the Group Therapy page.
My groups follow an open fomat, meaning that new members can join at any time. They are fully virtual.
Don’t hesitate to contact me anytime if you want to learn more about group teletherapy, are interested in joining a teletherapy group, or just have general questions.
