Group psychotherapy
What is group therapy?
In my experience, the first thought many people have when considering group therapy is “I don’t do well in groups - there’s no way I would feel comfortable talking in front of a bunch of people!” While I can certainly validate that this is a common experience for newcomers to group, this issue is exactly why group therapy is so powerful and effective. In fact, research has repeatedly shown group therapy is just as (if not a little bit more, in my opinion) effective as individual therapy!
This notion is built on a simple premise - feelings, thoughts, and patterns of behavior that negatively affect one’s self-esteem and interpersonal relationships outside of the therapy room tend to find their way into the therapy room. Group therapy serves as a sacred and safe space to explore what is working well in your relationships, and what might be getting in the way.
Group therapy helps provide people with a supportive, safe, and emotionally-nurturing environment where the group members help one another move toward their goals by providing encouragement, giving and receiving interpersonal feedback, and experimenting with new ideas and behaviors by learning how to connect to each other in the group a deep, meaningful way. Ultimately, group therapy helps members learn how to form healthier, more meaningful relationships while also exploring important feelings and developing insight about one’s identity.
I’m a huge believer in the power of group therapy, and as such, have extensive training that has included doctoral-level coursework and running many types of process-oriented (“interpersonal”) and psychoeducational groups. If you’re curious about group therapy, or would like to hear more about it, I would like to sincerely invite you to contact me for more information or a screening session to see whether group would be a good fit for you.
My credentials
Board certified in Group Psychology (ABPP). As of 2024, I am the only board-certified psychologist in group psychology in the state of Minnesota, and one of 49 ABPP Group-certified psychologists in the nation.
Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP), a designation defined by the American Group Psychotherapy Association as “a clinical mental health professional who meets internationally accepted criteria of education, training and experience in group psychotherapy. A CGP is an ethical practitioner who is an expert in group psychotherapy and is committed to group psychotherapy as an autonomous treatment modality.”
I am a current board member of the American Group Psychotherapy Association.
Current groups
Mindful self-compassion group
Do you struggle with feelings of self-worth and self-esteem? Do you “beat yourself up” or criticize yourself ? Do you find yourself constantly stressed out, worried about the future, or stuck thinking about the past? The mindful self-compassion group is an evidence-based, 8-week group focused on reducing your tendency to shame and criticize yourself, work on developing self-understanding and self-compassion, and ultimately give you better coping skills to navigate life’s challenges obtain a more peaceful state-of-mind. Much, if not all, of the cost of this psychotherapy group could be covered by your insurance through reimbursement (please note I do not take insurance). The fee for each session is $75. Please e-mail me at DrJonLewis@Pm.me if you’re interested in joining.