Psychotherapy and Skills Groups

Person talking during group therapy session

Psychotherapy group

The purpose of this group is further to prepare for mindfully approaching the full day with presence and purpose. Group begins with a mindfulness exercise, a review of the day's schedule, and skill focus, followed by a brief structured check-in. Following check-in, there may be time for group discussion regarding common themes that have been raised, focusing on how one can use skills to address problems in living.

Skills groups

Each group focuses on learning different therapeutic skills, coping strategies, and concepts to help reduce your psychiatric symptoms.

Examples include:

  • Helping you balance your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors
  • Increasing your ability to be present in the moment
  • Increasing your capacity to accept things as they are without judgment
  • Improving your ability to cope with emotional pain and experience increasing positive emotional experiences in your life
  • Learning crisis management skills
  • Developing and/or improving relationships and communication skills
     

Other groups

You may attend other groups in the program, including:

  • Week in Review, Weekend Planning, and Sustaining Change: The last day of each week often features groups which are devoted to a discussion and overview of the skills covered that week (especially those skills which are of special importance in your treatment) and to either developing a specific plan for your activities and safety over the weekend or continued work on sustaining the change implemented during treatment.
     

Expectations for group participation

Program and group ground rules include, but are not limited to:

  1. Arrive on time – The program day starts promptly. Each group starts promptly on the hour. It is important to be on time so as not to disrupt the experience of other participants.
  2. Respect – In order for the group to be a safe place to explore ourselves and relationships, it’s important to have an environment of mutual support and respect. In order to achieve this, consider the following elements that foster respect:
    • Active listening – This means paying attention to what is being said, demonstrating good eye contact, and showing that you are attending to what’s being said.
    • Participate – It is important to participate and contribute to the group to the best of your ability. You can decline to talk, but we encourage you to participate even when you don't want to—this is practicing the opposite action skill and is one way people get better.
    • Offering feedback – If you choose to offer another group member, please consider asking for their permission. Try not to offer unsolicited advice.
    • Body language – Hold yourself with a posture that shows you are present, open, and willing to participate.
  3. Outside appointments – Please schedule personal appointments outside of treatment hours. If you will be arriving late or will be absent from any scheduled treatment day, please call your assigned primary clinician or leave a message at the main line (415) 476-7400 as soon as possible. Given the nature of the program, a welfare check may be initiated for no-call/no-shows of PHP participants.
  4. No verbal or physical threats/violence – This is grounds for immediate dismissal from the program.
  5. No acts of theft – This is grounds for immediate dismissal from the program. Please note that this is an open building and we cannot be responsible for lost or stolen goods. Please keep your personal belongings with you.
  6. No drugs or alcohol – We encourage you to abstain from all drugs and alcohol and while you are in the program. This will help ensure your assessment, treatment, and long-term planning is based on the clearest view of yourself and your situation.
  7. Cell phones – All cell phones must be turned off while in groups. Groups should be as free of distractions as possible. Please DO NOT take pictures of the treatment area or other participants in the program (see confidentiality/privacy below).
  8. Confidentiality – Maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of other participants is a crucial part of creating a safe therapeutic environment. There are many ways we do this:
    • Group confidentiality – Anything said between two or more group members at any time is part of the group process and is confidential. What is said in the group stays in the group—meaning, at no time, should you disclose group member names or personal/identifying information outside of treatment areas.
    • Pictures/social media – Please DO NOT take, share, or post pictures of the treatment area or pictures of other participants on social media.
  9. Keep relationships in the program – While we encourage sharing and support within the group, we recommend that you do not develop these relationships outside of the program groups until you have finished the program. This provides a safe boundary between yourself and peers so that you can focus on your goals and needs while you’re here. Furthermore, we strongly advise that you do not develop romantic and/or financial relationships during the program, as these types of relationships interfere with treatment.
  10. Discussing your issues in groups – While it's important for you to share the details of your situation with us, some details are best shared in a 1:1 meeting between you and your provider, rather than in the group setting. Details about issues including safety (self-harm thoughts and behaviors), trauma, and alcohol and drug abuse are best shared in 1:1 meetings. In PHP, you will be prompted to state your safety status each day in groups – please share the status of your safety rather than the details. If you have any questions about what is or isn't okay to share in groups, please review this with your clinician.
  11. No fragrances – Be aware that there are people who are sensitive to fragrances. Persons attending groups are requested to refrain from using perfume or cologne for the comfort of other participants. The group rooms are closed environments and strong smells are not easily dissipated.
  12. No eating in groups – Please do not bring food into groups or eat during sessions as this can be disruptive to others in the room. Beverages are okay to have in sessions. If you need to eat urgently, please be mindful to do this during planned breaks—between sessions, at lunch, or excuse yourself from the room for a short break as needed.
  13. Medications – Please do not take prescribed or over-the-counter medications while in group sessions, as this can be unintentionally distressing to other group members. If you need to take a medication during the course of the treatment day, please be mindful to do this during planned breaks—between sessions, at lunch, or excuse yourself from the room to take your medication as needed.