What to Expect From Group Therapy
“We don’t want to mistake empty ritual for relationship.”
Interpersonal group psychotherapy is now available at Kimberly Keiser & Associates. Our team has spent the last year training with Ruthellen Josselson from Fielding Graduate University to learn the fundamentals of the interpersonal psychotherapy group process as the foundation of all groups at our clinic.
True interpersonal psychotherapy groups are quite rare. Yet the importance of relationships in life is central to mental health and wellness.
What Is Group Therapy?
In my early years of doing sex therapy, I have seen, how services that were once considered on the fringe or dismissed as unnecessary are now quite in demand and can be discussed in public without shame or fear of exposure.
Group psychotherapy is an incredibly powerful way to access deeper insights into understanding yourself in relationships, yet only some therapists are trained to deliver this powerful therapeutic approach.
Group psychotherapy is not:
A support group where people share life experiences of distress
A 12-step program
A psychoeducational group experience that teaches using a protocol or workbook
A structured program
Lecturing or teaching
Interpersonal group psychotherapy provides the context and space to explore the relationships you create with others — including the therapists — and talk with the group about what you are experiencing and feeling, as well as, how you are behaving.
Group members talk both about what challenges they are experiencing and the ways that they create relationships with one another. The focus of therapy is on the here-and-now, moment-to-moment of what is happening between group members, and the focus of the group process. Although we won't only work in the here-and-now, we'll pay close attention to the here-and-now of what is happening in the group.
Group Therapy In Practice
Our current interpersonal psychotherapy group is led by Kimberly Keiser every Wednesday at 4 pm.
To see an excerpt from a live interpersonal group demonstration, you can check out this video or this video by GROUP the Series that displays how group members interact with each other and what a group therapy session may be like.
Learn more about the Interpersonal Psychotherapy group »
Building upon the foundations of interpersonal group psychotherapy, our team is also offering groups specializing in out-of-control sexual behavior (OCSB) or sex addiction, integration of religion, spirituality, and sexuality, and trans/gender/diverse (TGD) specialties.
The OCSB group is led by Kimberly Keiser on Wednesdays at 5 pm.
The objectives of an OCSB group include:
To help group members maintain their sexual health plan.
To improve group members’ self and attachment regulation.
To facilitate a positive sexual/erotic-identity development.
The tasks of OCSB group psychotherapy include sharing experiences, reducing feelings of shame and embarrassment, and exploring ourselves and our experiences through connection. We’ll also be learning how to encompass ourselves as a whole being, regardless of our behaviors, understanding the here-and-now relationship connection, discussing sexual health, and exploring boundaries through interpersonal interactions.
We will talk both about what challenges people are experiencing as they manage their sexual behavior and also the ways that we create relationships with one another and what that means about who we are in the world.
Learn more about the OCSB group »
The integration of religion, spirituality, and sexuality group allows for a safe, therapeutic space to address sex-positive Christianity. This group is led by Kimberly Keiser on Mondays at 5:00 pm.
Participants will unpack religious impacts on their sexual self and sexual functioning while working towards internal congruence of their sexual self and Christianity, in whatever that means to them.
Learn more about Integration of Religion, Spirituality, and Sexuality group »
The trans/gender/diverse (TGD) group is led by Kimberly Keiser on Thursdays at 5:30 pm.
The primary tasks of the transgender/gender/diverse group are to address the emotional impacts of not conforming to a heteronormative society, facilitate connection through shared experience, and build exploration and self-acceptance of one’s whole being.
Learn more about the TGD group »
How to Prepare For Group Therapy
Our groups meet weekly, in person at the main Kimberly Keiser & Associates location. If this is your first time visiting our location for in-person therapy, here are some things to know before your first appointment.
We have several intake forms that are standard for psychotherapy practice. You do not have to fill them out in advance, but if you would like to, you may review and download the forms.
If you are using insurance, please bring a copy of your insurance card with you to your first appointment. Other than that, just bring yourself!
It’s natural to feel hesitant or even fearful about sitting down with people you don’t know to discuss some of the most personal and intimate parts of your life. Our group members report feeling a sense of community and support not otherwise found in individual therapy or their social relationships outside of the group.
Prior to starting group, we require a group preparation session with the group lead to discuss the group — including any fears or questions you have — prior to joining. To learn more, we’d welcome an introductory group preparation session with you.
Ready to get started? If you’re interested in joining one of our interpersonal groups, or if this is your first time coming to therapy, here’s what you can expect.
If you’re ready to take the next step, contact us for group availability and to schedule your appointment.