People need people - for initial and continued survival, for socialization, for the pursuit of satisfaction. No one - not the dying, not the outcast, not the mighty - transcends the need for human contact.
― Irvin D. Yalom
Some of the most profound learning that I have experienced in terms of relationships has been through meeting in small groups with people - learning to listen and to hold space, orienting my attention away from myself and towards another, and opening up about the complexities of my own life experiences and being met with compassion, acceptance, curiosity... and also challenge.
I am convinced that we need more spaces in which to learn these important skills.
As such, I am offering a therapeutic group in the fall that will meet weekly from Mid September 2022 to the end of November 2022 (12 sessions). Yes, 12 sessions IS a big commitment! I debated going to a lower amount, but I believe that it takes a while to build deeper connections between people.
Time: To be determined based on the schedules of participants but will either be on a Tuesday or Thursday. 90 minute sessions.
It will be a group of 4 people (18 years or older) plus myself who will commit to a weekly IN PERSON gathering.
The intent of these sessions will be somewhat open, but will have a basic structure. Each person who participates will come each week with something they want to process, a question that they are holding, or a decision that they are trying to navigate. During the group, we will take turns focusing our attention on each participant and practice asking open-ended and exploratory questions (and yes, there will be some training involved in this). A primary emphasis will be on the 'here and now' - what each of us are curious about in what is presented, how each participant is responding to the information offered in the present moment (both in our thoughts and in what our bodies are communicating).
Some examples of things people could bring to the group to share about:
- a moment in their week that they want to process (could be as simple as a conversation/awkward moment)
- a decision about a relationship or a job that they are working through
- a memory that was stirred up in them during the week.
- how they might be struggling within the group OR how they are finding the group satisfying a longing.
It is very easy to begin to ask open questions and go deeper towards understanding when just a little information is given - it doesn't have to be a big topic at all.
The hope of this group is that it will resource each participant with greater support beyond just a counselor relationship. As well, it will be an opportunity for participants to discover more about themselves in the context of relationships.
This therapy group is ideal for people who have already done a lot of their own individual work and who are hoping to take their learning into a more dynamic setting.
It is for people who want to build relationship skills and who want to learn how to form deeper connections (both with those in the group and, by taking what they are learning, applying those same skills into their own relationships outside of the group).
Is is for people who want to become more aware of themselves and how others might respond to them.
Please note: This group is not a support group. Rather, it is more like a collaborative mirroring process where each participant gets the chance to understand themselves in relationships at a deeper level.
If you are interested or know someone who is interested, please have them contact me directly.
Each person interested in the group will first need to have a conversation with me, so that I can make sure that this group would be a good fit for them.
Cost: $600 (could be paid in installments). This may seem like a lot of money up front, but it roughly boils down to paying for 4 individual sessions, however in this case you are getting 12 sessions and the chance to deepen your network of support by 4 times.
There is no doubt that a group like this will require a certain amount of courage to participate, but also be aware that there is a LOT of levity and fun that is found in gathering together as well. This group may sound intense, and the focus may sometimes be somewhat serious, but that doesn't mean it has to be without laughter, humour, delight, and playfulness. As a facilitator, I work hard to foster and maintain a safe and comfortable dynamic for all.
If you are interested or know someone who is interested, please have them email me directly at rhumphreycounselling@gmail.com or through the link below.
"Roxy was an amazing counsellor and group facilitator. She provided a safe, comfortable and welcoming container for us each to explore interesting and different themes each weekly session. She listened with compassion and allowed everyone to express themselves the way they needed to. I learned some valuable insights about death and birth that were powerful to process in a group setting." - AB