Group Offerings
One of the core values at Therapy For The People is Connection as Healing. Connection is a powerful antidote to suffering, and some of our co-working space members offer inclusive, accessible, and trauma-responsive group therapy. We believe that connection is at the root of radical healing.
CURRENT GROUPS: scroll down for group information.
Online: Queer Folx in Recovery with Dani Fazio
Queer Folx in Recovery
Offered by Dani Fazio Psychotherapy
Hi I’m Dani, and I co-facilitate the group Queer Folx in Recovery, which is my favorite corner of the internet! This virtual group has been meeting since May 2020, and has recently had a members-led transformation into a new format and structure. We’re a small group of usually 4-6 people in attendance, and many members have been coming for years, while others benefit from joining a few times. We’re unlike any traditional recovery group — we honor all pathways of recovery and center the experience of being queer and in recovery— and we aim to be supportive, inclusive, queer affirming, and view connection as the heart of healing.
Our group is open to anyone ages 18+ who identifies as queer/ LGBTQIA+ and/or gender expansive, and is interested in healing from suffering caused by alcohol and/or drug use. We welcome people who are new to recovery, sober curious, or have been maintaining recovery for some time. Total abstinence (not using any substances) is not required, but members are asked to come with a willingness to work towards self-discovery and a motivation to make changes in their lives.
Group sessions are structured around a recovery topic conversation, led by a peer co-facilitator. We have a set of guiding principles around self- and community-care, and invest in one another’s recovery by practicing H.O.W.L (Honesty, Open-Mindedness, Willingness, and Lived Experience Sharing).
Participants benefit from:
strengthening our personal and collective queer resilience and our recovery capital
busting socially-constructed myths about addiction / substance use disorders
processing and normalizing the experiences of being a queer person in recovery exploring the intersection between minority stress, trauma, and substance use
developing social supports within the group
finding recovery support (and boundaries) within our social networks, family of origin and/or friends, family of choice
having a supportive, non-judgmental space to process our experiences, strengths, goals, challenges, and to learn from one another and share resources
learning ways to have sober fun and re-discovering your passions, talents, and goals
Facilitators Dani Fazio (she/her), LCSW, CADC is a therapist and a queer person in long term recovery. Her clinical expertise is in substance use disorder treatment, queer mental health, and gender & sexuality. She is a skilled and enthusiastic group facilitator. Learn more about Dani here. Every group is peer co-facilitated with a member of the group!
Registration: This is a drop-in group. Sign-up at least one day in advance is required, and two participants will be required for group to be held. Email dani@therapyforthepeople.org to request to join. You will receive a one-time admission check-list screening needed to meet criteria, and once completed you will be emailed the invitation to zoom and group password.
Dates: This group meets every four weeks on Saturdays. Contact Dani for current schedule.
Times: 10:30am - 12:30pm (attendance for duration is required, late admissions after 10:45am will not be permitted)
Contributions: Pay what you can ($0- $40+ based on the Green Bottle Project - see our guide). No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Payable through Venmo
Platform & Requirements: Zoom. Requires internet connection, computer, tablet or smartphone with camera and microphone. Please note, while the facilitator will strive to ensure that video client services remain stable, each individual is responsible for maintaining their own Internet connection and refunds will not be issued if a person disconnects and is unable to rejoin.
Past Groups:
My Body Is Not an Illness | Series 1: 12/6/22 - 2/14/23
Offered by TFTP Co-Working Member Jenny Ingwersen
A facilitated support group for folx experiencing weight stigma and fat phobia from insurance and medical providers. This group is for female identifying and non-binary people, and trans men seeking safety in women’s+ groups. Co-facilitated by Maggie Doherty & Jenny Ingwersen
Group Information
During this six-session facilitated online support group, participants will have the opportunity to safely explore the impact of anti-fat bias within the medical insurance industrial complex. This is a space to connect, share resources, process harm, support one another, create community, and decrease isolation and feelings of shame. My Body Is Not an Illness group is facilitated by Maggie Doherty and Jenny Ingwersen. This is not a therapy group but rather a support group with a set structure and skilled co-facilitators.
The Principles of Group Therapy
Therapy For The People offers groups that foster the principles outlined in world-renowned psychotherapist and author Irvin Yalom’s book The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy, and include the following:
The instillation of hope: The group contains members at different stages of the treatment process. Seeing people who are coping or recovering gives hope to those at the beginning of the process.
Universality: Being part of a group of people who have the same experiences helps people see that what they are going through is universal and that they are not alone.
Imparting information: Group members can help each other by sharing information.
Altruism: Group members can share their strengths and help others in the group, which can boost self-esteem and confidence.
The corrective recapitulation of the primary family group: The therapy group is much like a family in some ways. Within the group, each member can explore how childhood experiences contributed to personality and behaviors. They can also learn to avoid behaviors that are destructive or unhelpful in real life.
Development of socialization techniques: The group setting is a great place to practice new behaviors. The setting is safe and supportive, allowing group members to experiment without the fear of failure.
Imitative behavior: Individuals can model the behavior of other members of the group or observe and imitate the behavior of the therapist.
Interpersonal learning: By interacting with other people and receiving feedback from the group and the therapist, members of the group can gain a greater understanding of themselves.
Group cohesiveness: Because the group is united in a common goal, members gain a sense of belonging and acceptance.
Catharsis: Sharing feelings and experiences with a group of people can help relieve pain, guilt, or stress.
Existential factors: While working within a group offers support and guidance, group therapy helps member realize that they are responsible for their own lives, actions, and choices.