Group Counseling
Support and Process Groups
See below for the current groups at Wild Mind Counseling.
Men's Support Group: A Space for Meaningful Conversations
This group is planning to start in early 2025. This is an in-person group. Sessions will take place in Fremont. Private pay and out-of-network benefits will only be accepted.
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Space is limited. Please reach out if you are interested.
Coming Out: A Gay Men's Process Group
This group will strive to be a supportive, collaborative environment for shame-free exploration and discovery to start valuing and validating yourself as a gay man.
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This is a closed group, information is shared for interested persons only.
Swagger: A Queer Men's Body Image Process Group
As of December 2024, this group is on hold. Please reach out if you are interested.
The Benefits of Group Therapy
Group therapy offers a range of potential benefits, including building self-confidence, enhancing self-esteem, improving interpersonal relationships, and fostering a deeper sense of self-awareness.
Research underscores the effectiveness of group therapy in addressing mental health challenges. For instance, peer support groups have demonstrated comparable efficacy to group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in alleviating depressive symptoms (Pfeiffer et al., 2011). They also serve as a meaningful alternative or complement to traditional mental health approaches, such as medication or individual therapy, providing unique social and emotional opportunities for individuals experiencing distress (Vickery, 2022).
Vickery’s (2022) study highlights that support groups create a safe, nonjudgmental environment where participants in similar circumstances can both offer and receive support. Notably, the most impactful aspect of men’s support groups lies in the shared life experiences of the participants, which foster mutual respect, understanding, and empathy. These connections can be transformative, helping individuals feel seen, validated, and empowered in their journeys toward healing.
By engaging in group therapy, participants gain a sense of belonging and connection while developing valuable insights and skills that contribute to their overall mental health and well-being.
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References:
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Pfeiffer P., Heisler M., Piette J., Rogers M., & Valenstein M. (2011). Efficacy of peer support interventions for depression: a meta-analysis. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. Jan-Feb;33(1):29-36. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2010.10.002.
Vickery, A. (2022). ‘It’s made me feel less isolated because there are other people who are experiencing the same or very similar to you’: Men’s experiences of using mental health support groups. Health & Social Care in the Community, 30, 2383–2391.
