We become who we are in groups. We are raised in families, then we go to school. We have friends, then colleagues. Groups are the kitchens in which we are baked.
Our experiences of groups are, for most of us, also our first experiences of life. Family dynamics, school playgrounds, the rugby team. We experience them early in our lives and so they shape who we become as individuals. There is pleasing juxtaposition in that.
And how could it be any other way. Humans are mammals, wired for connection. We experience empathy, we love and are loved.
But we are hurt in groups too. Many of us have been rejected from them or tormented inside them. That is painful. And because the impact is felt so early in our lives, it can stay with us long into adulthood.
Groups are where we are hurt, but also where we are healed. And that is the power of group therapy.
Why group therapy works
Group therapy offers a space where we can explore what is going on in our lives, much like one-to-one therapy. But rather than being listened to by one person, me, your story is heard by many. You can experience being witnessed in that. That is powerful.
It won’t always be easy. You might notice that other people in the group make you feel a certain way. You might notice yourself drawn to some and repelled by others. You might notice someone in the group reminds you of someone in your life. Perhaps when they share something, it evokes feelings in you that you did not expect. All of that we can talk about together. All of that could be information about what you were thinking and feeling when you were growing up and how that might still be with you, for better or worse, now.
Who is group therapy for?
Group therapy works for people who can’t always show up fully in their lives. In relationships, they might disappear. At work, they might struggle to say no. Or they might rarely feel safe, or themselves, when they are in a group.
Groups are so foundational to being human. But few people thrive within them. Perhaps you don’t either.
If your relationships no longer feel like a source of joy, but are instead weighing you down, if work is overwhelming but you cannot stop, or perhaps you struggle to maintain long-lasting, nourishing friendships, let’s explore what groups are like for you, live and in the moment.
You also might be drawn to group therapy if you feel like you want individual therapy but you can’t afford it. We’re in East London, the economy isn’t great. Your income might fluctuate and there’s no shame in that.
What will I talk about in group therapy?
Group therapy begins much like a conversation with friends. It will start tentatively. The group is not sure of who they are when they start, so there is small talk, getting to know each other. Then, someone will share something about their lives, something they are struggling with. They can experience being heard.
This is not a space for advice-giving, but instead, a moment to reflect on how that sharing landed in you. Perhaps you feel empathy for that person. And you can share that. Or perhaps it reminds you of your own experience, you can share that too. Or has it annoyed you, made you angry. How would it feel to share that?
Over time, you might notice that more and more people in the group are coming out of their shells and becoming more of who they are. You might be too. And as everyone expands, their edges get closer and they connect. Together, the group moves and is moved.
In an age of increasing atomisation and loneliness, that experience of belonging, of impacting and being impacted, might feel quite new for you. It might, possibly, change your life.
Confidentiality
The group is a confidential space. Everyone will have agreed to this as a condition of starting. I won’t share what happens in the group with anyone, and everyone in the group will have agreed likewise. This is a space to share what you cannot share outside.
We’ll also agree what happens when we see each other in public. In a place like London, it’s not likely but it’s not impossible either. We’ll cover all eventualities, so that everyone feels able to open up.
How much does group therapy cost?
Every session is £40 and lasts for 90 minutes. There are no more than 8 people, including me. The joining process is detailed further down, but once you start, you’ll pay every month via a direct debit.
Groups, be they families, friends or sports teams, are held together by bonds. Our current age places little value on connection or ties, so the intention behind the payment system is to create something that endures. People will come, people will go. But I hope people feel like they belong to something.
The cost is £1,600 in total, spread throughout the year to keep it affordable.
The direct debit will break down like this: it’s £160 a month for 10 months of the year. July and August are free. This is handled by direct debit so it’s all done automatically.
The process of joining group therapy
The first step is to book an introductory call. It’s 15 minutes, and free, and a chance to chat through the process. When you’re booking this, please make it clear that you are looking for group therapy, and not individual.
Then we will have a couple of individual sessions of therapy in Shoreditch. This is just to get a sense of who you are, and whether group therapy would be right for you. It is also a space where you can understand me, how I work and how the space functions. You can decide if it’s right for you too.
Afterwards, you set up a direct debit, and you join the group.
The first cohort starts on 11th January 2027, at 7pm, with fixed entry points throughout the year. There are 40 sessions in all. It’s every Monday, except bank holidays, with breaks in the summer and at Christmas.
- January
- 11, 18, 25
- February
- 1, 8, 15, 22
- March
- 1, 8, 15, 22
- April
- 5, 12, 19, 26
- May
- 10, 17, 24
- June
- 7, 14, 21, 28
- July
- 5, 12
- August
- Summer break
- September
- 6, 13, 20, 27
- October
- 4, 11, 18, 25
- November
- 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- December
- 6, 13, 20
What if I want to leave?
There is no fixed minimum commitment to group therapy. You can leave whenever you like. But leaving a group that you’ve been part of can bring up some feelings. Give yourself time to explore what is going on, and bring it to the group, so we can explore it together.