Why group anyways? 

I wanted to start a group because I believe in the power of groups. When I am with an individual client, I find myself wishing that they had a group of like minded individuals with whom to share their fears and triumphs. 

I almost always recommend groups as adjunctive (additional) support for clients as I feel that it is super duper important to have a community to bounce ideas off of and people to connect with. 

There is a limited number of groups in North County Inland areas for LGBT people who are over 18 to participate in. 

Why work with Dr. Abi Weissman?

I love groups and I want you to love benefit from the healing power of connecting with community. Attending a group means finding a built in support system for you as you explore your sexual orientation and / or gender identity and the ways that you are in the world.

You want a group therapist who knows how to facilitate groups.

I know how to support group members in forming a community by letting the natural flow of a group unfold in a moderated setting.

You want a group therapist who wants you to grow. I want you to:

-have time to share and interact with other group members.

-learn skills to better help you thrive.

-feel heard and hear others. 

-be in a super LGBTQIQAP - affirming environment with an LGBTQIQAP - affirming provider.

You want a group therapist with experience and training. 

I took extra classes in graduate school in group building. I have (co)facilitated drop-in groups (anyone can drop in as long as they fit the criteria) and closed groups (people who have been screened by a therapist and people who commit to staying in the group for a certain amount of sessions).

Groups I've run or co-run include:

-People with HIV who have mental health concerns (Closed group)

-Bisexual Adults (Closed group)

-Post-transition transgender adult group for people with co-occurring mental health condition (Closed group)

-Traumatic loss and grief group (Drop-In group)

-LGBT Support group for college students (Closed group)

-Self-esteem group for elementary school aged girls (Closed group)

You want a closed, time-limited group with screened participants.

LGBT & Me is a 6 week closed group at Waves's Poway, CA office. 

Screening

All participants will be screened for group suitability.

We care about your success.

Thus, it is important to make sure that this group is appropriate for you and your goals. This screening is free and is conducted over the phone and allows for AMPLE time for you to ask questions about the group. At this time, Dr. Abi Weissman will also go over the appropriate private pay or insurance fees.

First meeting / Intake appointment

If you are screened and appear appropriate for the group and want to participate, we will move on to your first meeting, an in person intake appointment with Dr. Abi Weissman. This appointment will cost $175 (if Dr. Weissman does not take your insurance) or whatever amount your insurance charges for an intake appointment. There, she will ask you about your history/herstory/theirstory, your goals, and discussion topics of interest to you. There will also be time for questions. If the group still seems to meet your goals, we will invite you to our first group appointment - hopefully, in early September 2017. 

Are you as excited as I am to get this group started?!

The next step is setting up your 15-minute free

screening with Dr. Abi Weissman. 

If you are over 18 years old, identify as LGBTQIQAP, can commit to attending a 6-week group in Poway, CA, please contact Dr. Abi Weissman at info@doctorabi.com to set up your initial screening. You can also set up the phone screening HERE .

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Warmly,

Dr. Abi Weissman

PSY 27497

Reading this blog post does not imply that one is in a therapeutic relationship with Dr. Abi Weissman or any of the staff or clinicians at Waves, A Psychological Corporation. This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute individual advice. Please see a licensed therapist for individualized support. 

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