This fall we are moving offices to have a larger space and putting a larger emphasis on group offerings.  Here’s why:

1) In the seven years I’ve been in practice, I’ve been aware that the quality of relationships we have with people in our life is a very important component to health.  Many complaints people bring to therapy are problems in relationship, or lack of relationships like feeling lonely, disconnected, isolated.  While we can and do work on this in individual sessions, getting real time feedback from a variety of people with a variety of perspectives can be helpful to see your own part of the relationship challenge. Note that feedback is not the same as advice.  Support groups and friends give advice.  Expertly facilitated groups empower you to learn for yourself in real time through seeing others, getting reflections of how you are showing up, and seeing yourself more clearly through the guidance of the facilitator.

2) Many of us have been hurt in relationship with other people.  Most often these come intentionally or unintentionally from parents, siblings, friends, romantic partners, co-workers, bullies, teachers, etc. A safely facilitated group provides opportunities to repair these wounds and have new experiences that were not possible with the people who harmed you in the first place.

3) Expanding further on the last point, through mutual agreements, we create a group of equally valuable and empowered people that you can learn to trust, and who can hold you and support you in whatever you are working through.  Having a safe place to be fully yourself, in both your greatness and your challenges and being witnessed in your growth by multiple people who can understand you can create change that is much more powerful and sustainable than individual therapy with a professional alone.  There has been much talk about community in recent years.  And yet many groups fall short of creating a safe place where people can feel like they belong.  A well facilitated group will give you a safe accepting community to be authentic and be challenged and supported to help you grow quickly.

4) I’ve been both a member of and led thousands of hours of groups.  Before studying facilitation and group dynamics as I have, I thought groups were usually either scary or boring.  After all the years I have been learning about groups, I love facilitating them now because there is always so much happening to work with.  There is always something to learn!  I utilize a blend of process made more transparent with mindfulness activities as well as bringing experiential dynamic exercises to help deepen awareness around how the patterns showing up now got created, and have been played out numerous times in your life, so that you can finally move past them and engage with life differently.

5) Lastly, group rates also tend to be lower than individual rates so in addition to being more powerful, groups are also more cost effective.  If you are just looking for growth, a group alone may be what you need.  Many people benefit from having both a group session and then an individual session to be able to process the group one on one and learn strategies to get the most out of groups.  Either way, your experience and growth will be enhanced with a group.

If this sounds like it could be helpful, but you are still hesitant to join a group, give me a call and let’s discuss more.  Everyone is welcome in whatever state they are in.  Even if you are more of a withdrawn, shy, or introverted person, you will still benefit from attending, sharing minimally, and watching others doing their work.  You can participate more when the time is right for you.

Here are the groups currently being offered.  Currently the Men’s group only has 2 openings and the Adolescent group has a few.  Contact me today to see which one will be most beneficial for you.

Men’s Group

 

Come join with other men to explore your life and deepen your relationships. This group is for all adult men to gain additional support and feedback through interpersonal process and experiential exercises. Men are able to bring challenges, fears, doubts, questions, and learn by supporting others while being challenged and supported themselves.  All topics and goals are welcome. Common themes are anger, depression, anxiety, personal identity, relationships, assertiveness, sex/sexuality/sexual orientation, disconnect from emotions, work problems, fatherhood, confidence/self-esteem, accountability, honesty, spirituality, and finding purpose and meaning in life.  This group meets Tuesday evenings from 5-6:30.  For more information, call Chuck today to see how this group can help you.  970-556-4095 or email [email protected].

Outside->In

Outside->In for Adolescents

This group provides teens with a place to discover and be their authentic selves and gain support from peers in a healthy expertly facilitated natural environment.  Participants share, learn, and grow past current problems through nature and healthy relationship.  We meet outdoors and utilize a blend of process, fun and adventure activities, hiking, mindfulness, and more.  Find out more here.

Outside->In for Adults

A new offering by popular request!  This group while similar to the long running adolescent group will focus more on slowing down with mindfulness, introspection, intuition, and creativity.  We will utilize the process of council, mindfulness, movement, group and solo time in nature, and guided activities and ritual to deepen in connection to self, others, and the natural world.  This group will surprise, challenge, and rejuvenate all who participate.  Great for professionals, teachers, parents, and anyone looking to de-stress and refresh with nature.  In addition to the weekly offering, stay tuned for day and weekend long programs to follow throughout the year.  For more information, call Chuck today to see how this group can help you.  970-556-4095 or email [email protected].

Mixed Gender Process Groups

What is a Process Group?
Groups are a powerful tool for growth and change. The power of process groups lies in the unique opportunity to receive multiple perspectives, support, encouragement and feedback from other individuals in safe and confidential environment.  In addition, we utilize contemplative practices to help you gain more self awareness. These interactions can provide group members an opportunity to deepen their level of self-awareness and to learn how they relate to others.    
Process groups are typically unstructured. There isn’t a specific topic for each group session, but some of the groups may be focused on a particular theme or the group may be target to specific group of individuals. Members are welcome to bring any issues to the group that they feel are important, and the primary focus of therapy in the group is not on the story, but on the interactions among group members in the present moment.  Groups meet once per week for 1 1/2 hours.
 
Who can benefit from a Process Group?
As mentioned above, group therapy is a powerful tool for growth and change.  As such, virtually everybody looking to change something about themselves or how they relate to others can benefit from the unique environment created in a process group. Process groups are especially beneficial for people who struggle with relationships with friends, family, co-workers, lovers, depression, anxiety, grief/loss, anger, or self-esteem.

Workshops and Special Programs

In addition to ongoing groups, we offer a variety of special educational and experiential workshops and programs throughout the year.  Many of these are connected to the nature based Outside-In program.  Be sure to follow our Facebook page so you will know about upcoming offerings.