Group psychotherapy offers the opportunity for you to process emotional or social challenges in a supportive environment with other clients who are experiencing
the same kinds of challenges. Groups are led by experienced psychotherapists. Many of our groups focus on LGBTQ and HIV related concerns; additional
groups focus on other issues and are not necessarily aimed at a particular community. Group therapy is available to both existing medical patients
and non-patients, however certain groups may have other eligibility requirements or restrictions.See full listing below.
There are two main ways to learn more about groups, find out about openings, and begin the screening process (Note: for certain groups, the facilitator
may ask you to complete an additional screening before joining the group.):
1. Current medical patients can request an in-person screening when at the health center for a medical appointment. Just let your provider know that you
would like to speak with a Behavioral Health Specialist who is part of your care team.
2. Non-patients of the health center can get information about groups and schedule a screening by calling Kevin Waldorf-Cruz at 202-745-6176.
Group psychotherapy is provided at 1525 and MRC.
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Current group offerings:
LGBT-Specific Groups
Transpectrum
Transpectrumpsychotherapy group is intended to serve as a safe and confidential space to support individuals who identify as transgender, genderqueer,
non-binary, gender-expansive or even those who are just beginning to explore their gender identity journey. Group members are encouraged to discuss
their experiences, share their ideas, and extend and receive support through various presenting concerns/issues/problems. Topics of process have included,
but are not limited to: coming out, hormone therapy and surgery readiness, family of origin issues, navigating relationships, transitioning while in
the workplace, addiction and recovery, and the overall impact of transitioning while also addressing mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety,
and trauma. An initial screening appointment with the group facilitator is necessary for admission.
Group Facilitator: Nicole Armstead-Williams, LICSW
Location: Whitman-Walker at 1525
Umoja: Uniting Black Folx of Black Trans* Experience
Umoja psychotherapy group serves as a safe space to support the full spectrum of persons of black trans experience. Group members are encouraged
to discuss their experiences, share their ideas and extend and receive support through issues that disproportionately impact the mental health of this
community. Issues to explore include, but are not limited to: intersectionality of identifying as black and trans*, racism and historical adversity,
stigma and internalized shame, stereotypes about suicide, cultural factors, family and the black religious experience, trauma and minority stress.
While exploring these issues, participants will carve an intentional space to celebrate the journey of transition, to honor the resilient narratives
of black trans people, exemplify healthy models of black love and relationships and share self-care and stress reduction techniques, in an effort to
affirm that black trans lives matter and black mental health matters. An initial screening appointment with the group facilitator is necessary for
admission.
Group Facilitator: Nicole Armstead, MSW, LICSW
Location: Whitman-Walker at 1525
Sexual Compulsion for Gay Men
This group focuses on out-of-control sexual behavior, sexual compulsion issues, love addiction and love avoidance. Group members must make a commitment
to a minimum of 12 sessions. An initial screening appointment with the group facilitator is necessary for admission.
Group Facilitator: Randy Pumphrey, LPC, BCC
Location: Whitman-Walker at 1525
Gay Men’s Mood Disorder Group
This ongoing psychotherapy group is open to gay men who are experiencing symptoms of major depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, social anxiety or adjustment
disorders. This group focuses on strengthening coping strategies and self-compassion for people with mood disorders. Group members must make a commitment
to a minimum of 12 sessions. This group is accepting new members at this time and an initial screening appointment is necessary for admission.
Group Facilitator: James Johnson, LPC
Location: Whitman-Walker at 1525
Gay and Bisexual Men’s General Psychotherapy Group
This ongoing psychotherapy group is open to all gay and bisexual men who seek a place to come together for support who are experiencing distress due to
symptoms of anxiety or depression and who may be experiencing daily stress and isolation. The group is open to all gay or bisexual men with mood disorders,
adjustment issues or who are experiencing other chronic life stressors. The group is actively seeking participants and a screening with the group facilitator
is required for participation in the group.
Group Facilitator: Seth Rosenblatt, MD, MPH
Location: Whitman-Walker at 1525
Gay and Bisexual Men’s Anxiety and Depression Group
This ongoing psychotherapy group is for gay and bisexual men coping with the effects of HIV and chronic or acute stress in their lives. This group offers
a supportive environment to support and process mood disorders and the effects of stress on the mind and body. The group is open to HIV+ gay men with
mood disorders, adjustment issues or other chronic stress. Mindfulness, mind-body relaxation, breathing and other stress reduction techniques will
be utilized throughout each session.
Group Facilitator: Kevin Waldorf-Cruz, LICSW
Location: Whitman-Walker at 1525
Freedom from Eating Disorders
Freedom from Eating Disorders is designed to be a safe space to talk about one’s relationship with food, their body, and recovery. This is a process group
for frank discussions about disordered eating/eating disorders/negative body image and following one’s path to wellness. Members can display a variety
of symptoms, such as restricting food, binging where large quantities of food is consumed in a short period of time, purging behaviors using diuretics,
laxatives, over exercising, and/or vomiting. Group participants can expect non-judgmental support and compassion from two trained clinicians and is
open to anyone in the LGBTQ community.
Please note this is not a weight loss or dieting support group, but rather a space to develop healthy ways to understand and cope with eating disorders
and ED behaviors (restriction, over exercise, binge eating, purging, etc.).
All participants must be in treatment with a medical provider and ideally, also seeing an individual therapist. Groups meet on Tuesdays at 4:30-6 PM beginning
July 2 – pre-screens are required to attend the group. Please contact Jen Bindeman (202-939-7666 or jbindeman@whitman-walker.org)
or Chad Wheeler (202-207-2386 or cwheeler@whitman-walker.org)
Group Facilitator: Jen Bindeman and Chad Wheeler
Location: Whitman-Walker at 1525
HIV-Specific Groups
Women’s HIV Psychotherapy Group
This ongoing psychotherapy group is for women living with HIV who are also managing a mood disorder such as depression, anxiety or bi-polar disorder. This
group specifically addresses the interaction between mental health concerns and HIV from a woman’s perspective. Group topics include: relationships,
intimacy, anger management, addiction, self-esteem, aging and managing HIV, as well as strategies for sharing one’s status with intimate partners and
loved ones.
Group Facilitator: James Johnson, LPC
Location: Max Robinson Center
Clear Thinking: Cognitive & Behavioral Therapy for Memory Loss
This ongoing, supportive psychotherapy group is for HIV+ individuals coping with long-term cognitive issues such as dementia, memory loss, stroke and traumatic
brain injury. Supportive strategies such as supportive talk-therapy, cognitive behavioral tools, expressive therapy, mindfulness and memory-boosting
tools will be used to help clients manage the stresses of these conditions.
Group Facilitator: Paul Elsasser, LICSW
Location: Max Robinson Center
Thriving with HIV
This group is designed for people who have lived with HIV for more than 10 years. The group addresses issues of being a long time survivor of HIV and aims
to help members improve their quality of life. Some topics include aging with HIV, managing multiple medical conditions, dealing with intimacy and
coping with loss.
Group Facilitator: David Facenda, LICSW
Location: Whitman-Walker at 1525
General Psychotherapy Groups
Healing from Life Losses
This is an ongoing psychotherapy group for anyone who is bereaved or are in the process of grieving a major life loss, such as a job, or the death of a
family member, partner/spouse, friend or loved one.
Group Facilitator: Dorin Captari, LPC
Location: Whitman-Walker at 1525
Stress Reduction for Overcoming Anxiety, Depression and Insomnia
This is an ongoing psychotherapy for individuals coping with the effects of chronic or acute stress in their lives. This group offers a supportive environment
to connect with others, process mood disorders and the effects of stress on the mind and body. The group is open to anyone with mood disorders, adjustment
issues or other chronic stress. Mindfulness, mind-body relaxation, breathing and other stress reduction techniques will be utilized throughout each
session. An initial screening appointment is necessary for admission.
Group Facilitator: Kevin Waldorf-Cruz, LICSW
Location: Whitman-Walker at 1525
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Basic Skills Training Group
This 12 week group offers participants the opportunity to learn 1-2 basic skills from each of the four DBT modules (Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion
Regulation and Interpersonal Effectiveness) and serves as an introduction to DBT skills in general as opposed to the longer 28-week DBT Group. The
goal is for client’s to learn skills and practice them in their everyday life to help manage difficult emotions and damaging behaviors. The group is
structured like a workshop where the group leaders teach, assign and review homework. While there is some sharing that takes place, group participation
is focused on how to most effectively utilize and practice new ways of coping. Group members may be required to have access to other mental health
support for the duration of group membership. An initial screening appointment is necessary for admission.
Group Facilitators: Camille Adams, LICSW and Kevin Waldorf-Cruz, LICSW
Location: Whitman-Walker at 1525
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Group
This approximately 28 week group focuses on teaching participants how to manage difficult emotions, suicidal thoughts, self-harming and other impulsive
or damaging behaviors and improve relationships. The group members are introduced to four modules of specific skills (Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance,
Emotion Regulation and Interpersonal Effectiveness). The group is run more like a workshop where the group leaders teach the skills, assign homework
for clients to practice using the skills in their everyday lives and review the assigned work regularly. Although sharing is part of the group experience,
the sharing is focused on practicing the skills in daily lives or in group with an emphasis on ways of enhancing mastery. The group members are required
to have access to an individual therapist for the duration of group membership. An initial screening appointment is necessary for admission.
Group Facilitator: Dorin Captari-Scirri, NCC, LPC
Location: Whitman-Walker at 1525
Art Heals: Creative Strategies for Stress Reduction and Self-Care
This is an ongoing art therapy group for individuals coping with the effects of a chronic health condition, mood disorder and acute stress in their lives.
The group seeks to offer a supportive and non-judgmental space where participants can explore a variety of stress management strategies that incorporate
the art-making process. Some interventions may include supportive talk-therapy, art psychotherapy, mindfulness and other stress reduction techniques.
Group Facilitator: Martina Martin, ATR-BC, LPC
Location: Whitman-Walker at 1525
Inclusive Psychotherapy
This psychotherapy group is open to all clients of WWH who are experiencing mood dysphoria with anxious or depressed symptoms. The group is inclusive of
all people regardless of gender, race, HIV status or sexual orientation. An initial screening interview with the facilitator is required prior to admission
to the group.
Group Facilitator: Lisa Zimmerman, LICSW
Location: Whitman-Walker at 1525
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