Orange County Group Therapy

As of 7/19/2010 I have open spaces for new members.

The group meets Mondays at 7 PM. Please note that you must call me to schedule an brief introductory appointment before you can join the group.  You can reach me at (949) 288-3123.

Therapists: Want to refer a client? Click here to download a flyer

What is group therapy?

Group therapy is a type of therapy where a group for 4 to 10 people meet with a therapist each week. A group is wonderful way of discovering more about yourself. Group therapy is more like real-life than individual therapy. You get to be supportive, argue, disagree and have the full range of interactions that you do in your day-to-day life. It is a great place to learn better ways of being with others!

Group works best for people who are seeking long-term growth and who are not presently in crisis. Often participants are concurrently in individual counseling, or have had prior individual counseling experience.

If you are presently in a crisis situation, or need more immediate attention for a specific problem, you may consider individual counseling instead. Feel free to call me at (949) 288-3123 if you are not sure.

Why group?

• Group better simulates “real-world” relationships than individual therapy, which can lead to more growth.
• People who have had poor experiences of conflict or intimacy, can start to get a better experience of these in the safety of the group environment.
• Group is far lower cost that individual therapy. Each 90 minute session is just $50.
• Group is a great addition to individual therapy. Often people “stuck” in their individual therapy make breakthroughs when they join a group.
• There is an important sense of belonging and fellowship that can be very healing for many.
• You may think you are the only person in the world struggling with certain problems. It can be refreshing to hear of others with similar struggles.
• Group experiences bring more of yourself to the therapeutic experience than you might have if it were just you and your therapist.
  

Who does well in group?

People who are seeking long-term growth and who can commit to consistently attending group therapy over a number of months.

Who is not appropriate for group therapy?

People in crisis are often overwhelmed by the group experience. They should consider individual therapy instead.

Can I make new friends in group?

Group is designed to give you the skills and insight to grow and improve your relationships outside of group. Group therapy does not work when certain members are friends outside of the group. This creates “cliques” within the group and restricts the authenticity of what is shared. For this reason, members are asked to not meet socially outside of the therapy group.

Can I come with my spouse/partner/friend?

No. When people have an outside relationship with group members, it vastly reduces the benefit of group. We welcome both people in romantic relationships, and singles; but we ask that only one  member of a romantic relationship attend group therapy. The other member may want to consider joining a different group.

Can I do both individual and group therapy?

Yes. Group therapy is a wonderful addition to individual therapy (and vice-versa). Many people in individual therapy, discover rich new veins of growth once they start group therapy.

Can I see you as my individual therapist and group therapist?

Probably. This is something that we can discuss on a case-by-case basis. Feel free to call me if you are considering this.

Is this like a 12-step meeting (e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous or Codependents Anonymous)?

In some way yes, but mostly no. 12-step meetings do not allow “cross-talk”. People’s comments are restricted to their own experience. They are not allowed to comment on other members of the group. This format works well in the unsupervised setting of a 12 step meeting. Group therapy on the other hand allows feedback to be shared between members. This is more how we communicate in the real-world. Because of this there is a far great opportunity to learn more about yourself and grow.

Is this like a support group?

Again, there are some similarities, but some important differences. People in group are very often supportive, but it is not a “support group”. People are encouraged to be authentic and honest about their feelings. This can frequently mean that there will be conflict in the room. As the group leader, I make sure that the conflict does not get too heated, but it is very possible that your feelings will be hurt during the time you are involved in the group. The good news is that the most growth often comes through working through these difficulties.

What is the cost?

The fee is $50 per 90 minute session. Members must pay for the entire month in advance, regardless of how many meeting they attend. i.e. if there are 4 meetings during the month, each member must pay $200 even if they are unable to attend certain meetings. This policy is designed to encourage consistent attendance. Consistent attendance is vital for the success of the group.

How long does group take?

The group is designed to be ongoing. Member are allowed to come and go as time goes by. However, people's consistent attendance is vital to the success of the group. Each group member is asked to commit to attending a minimum of three months.

What about confidentiality?

As the group leader, I keep all information I hear confidential. There are a few important limitations as required by law that you can read in my privacy policy.

Each group member is asked to keep all information shared in the group confidential. Please understand that other group members are held by an an honor code. Your confidentiality will not be assured as it is in individual therapy.

How Do I Find Out More?

I ask all new members to attend an initial 30-minute one-on-one session before beginning the group. This is to help you understand more about how group therapy works, so that you gain the most from group therapy process. The fee for this session is $30.

To ensure your place in the group, please sign-up today.

To learn more, call Mark Pines at (949) 288-3123, or fill in the form below.

Full name:


Telephone Number:

May I leave a message on your voicemail if you are not available?

Email Address:


In a sentence or two, please briefly describe what you are hoping to gain in group:

 

If you are looking for individual or couples counseling, you can use the form below to schedule an appointment.

Setting up an appointment is quick and easy. Simply choose from my available times and click "Go!"

Mon, Aug 2, 2010 -> 2 PM Mon, Aug 2, 2010 -> 5 PM Mon, Aug 2, 2010 -> 6 PM _______________________ Wed, Aug 4, 2010 -> 3 PM _______________________ Thu, Aug 5, 2010 -> 1 PM Thu, Aug 5, 2010 -> 4 PM Thu, Aug 5, 2010 -> 5 PM _______________________ Sat, Aug 7, 2010 -> 11 AM

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