Solano Psychotherapy Associates

    Usually 6 to 8 people screened by a professional facilitator for compatibility and brought together to help each other through mutual support, honest feedback, and facilitated interactions designed to help members understand the ways their communications are experienced by others.   The group may be formed around a specific theme such as depression, social anxiety, eating disorders, divorce, loss and grief, etc. or it may be a general psychotherapy group.  Some topic specific groups are time limited, for instance 12 to 18 weeks, and general psychotherapy groups  tend to be on-going.   Group therapy is meant to help with problematic behavioral, emotional and interactional patterns which have developed early in life under stress or deprivation.   These patterns have adaptive elements that cause difficulty later in life.  Group therapy is design to understand these patterns and change them with the feedback and support of the other group members and the facilitator.  However, it takes courage and energy to risk discovering and changing patterns of interaction that have been in place since childhood.  We ask that you consider carefully your decision as it represents a long-term committment to yourself and the other group members.

In time limited groups, the facilitator presents topics for the group to discuss, and then helps members discuss the topic.  The facilitator usually helps members relate their experience with the topic and helps them express their thoughts and feelings related to the topic.  This process often has several curative effects:  First, it helps members realize they are not alone in their experiences; Second, it helps members be more accepting of their own feelings as they experience a sense of commonality among the members in relationship to their feelings;  and third, they develop a sense of freedom in expression of their own thoughts and feelings associated with the topic, where before there might have been a sense of shame or guilt or feelings of inadequacy.

In on-going groups,the goal of group therapy is not only the relief described above, but to help members make lasting change in aspects of their personality and ways in which they relate to others.  The therapy group is a unique atmosphere where honest interpersonal exploration among members is actively encouraged.  Interactions within the group usually mirror interpersonal styles developed as children and only in such a setting can these patterns be examined and understood with the necessary empathy.   Group members give and receive help by actively being involved with each other’s issues and expressing their opinions and feelings openly.  It is important that members be as honest and direct with their feelings in the group as possible, expecially feelings toward other members and the therapist.  In many ways, this can be regarded as the core of group therapy.  This ability comes with developing trust in the group and no one will be forced to say or do anything.  It is each member’s responsibility to pace his or her own self-disclosure.  However, the more effort you put into taking these emotional risks, the more benefit you will derive from the group.

Group therapy Agreements:

Entry into one of our groups means you agree to:

1.  Attend scheduled sessions and arrive prior to the starting time.  Announce planned absences as soon as possible.    
2. Take personal responsibility for communicating feelings and thoughts honestly and directly.
3. Adhere to the rules of confidentiality  by never  providing information that might identify who is in the group.
4. Reveal in the group all significant contact with any other group member made outside the group setting.
5. Abstain from alcohol and other drugs the day and evening of each group.
6. Pay the established fee each month.  We charge for all group sessions, whether you are in attendance or not.  This fee will increase $5 every two or three years.
7. Openly discuss any feelings of doubt about the group or any desire to leave the group.
8. Give four weeks advanced notice prior to termination from the group.                                                                                                                                        

As facilitators, we agree to do our best to:

1. Provide a pleasant, quiet, private, confidential, and consistent place to meet each week.
2. Facilitate the development of trust and empathy necessary for honest communication among members.
3. Provide a safe environment for members to explore their own and each other’s emotional reactions to events in the group.
4. Help clarify any misunderstandings, difficult emotional experiences, and differences in opinion among group members. 
5. Guide members’ exploration of old interactional coping styles in order for them to understand more fully the effects they have in their current lives.
6. Support members’ attempts at new communicational styles that are more intimate, assertive, and effective at achieving their purpose.
7. Be honest and hardworking in the service of the group’s and members’ welfare.

 Who generally facilitates a group?   Any licensed mental health professional who has specialized in group therapy.  This may be a Marriage, Family, and Child Therapist, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Psychiatrist, or a Psychologist.   The group facilitators for Solano Psychotherapy Associates are Dr’s Michael Gray, Elizabeth Krainer, and Kevin Orzach.  See the personal bios in the website under the section ” About Us,” and the list of groups available below.

Process for becoming a group member:   Call Dr. Gray at 510-525-6620 or email through this website and leave your contact information and one of us will call you to make an appointment for a  50 minute interview.  In this meeting we will discuss what it is you would like to get out of group therapy and compare that to what our groups do to make sure there is a match.  If you or we have concerns about whether there is a match we will explore those concerns and attempt to find the resources necessary to meet your needs, including referring you to other forms of help.  We will also discuss your personal history and how you have come to want the group’s help.   We will answer any questions you have and discuss how you can go about trying to get what you want from the group.  You will also get another sheet of information similar to the information and list of agreements above.  We will then ask you to consider all this for a few days and call with your decision whether or not you would like to join the group.  If you do decide to join the group, we will inform the group and set a date for your entry.   We charge a nominal fee of $40 for the screening process.

Groups Currently Available:

1. Group to Increase Social Self Confidence and Capacity for Intimacy.  This group, facilitated by Dr. Gray, meets Monday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 and costs $45 per session.  It is for both men and women above 30 years old.