Pacific MFT Network is dedicated to providing outstanding service to all of our clients. Support and process groups are an excellent way to feel connected, get support, and develop skills for improved coping and a healthy lifestyle. Here are some Support Group Myths and Facts:
Myth: It's the same as therapy
Fact: A group is not designed to offer professional counseling or psychological therapy. It's a place for people experiencing similar things to come together and discuss with each other how they have been impacted and share what has worked for them.
Myth: I'll have to bear my soul to strangers
Fact: It's up to you how much you decide to share. There are ground rules set up by the group leader, but no one is ever forced to speak. Group members are carefully chosen to promote the best possible group dynamic.
Myth: Joining a group will just make me feel worse
Fact: Sharing your experience with others that have had similar experiences in an extremely healing process. You will be surprised by how much more "normal" you feel once you've participated in a group.
Myth: People just sit around and complain
Fact: The talk in a group is monitored by the group leader who is a mental health professional. Sometimes the group has a predetermined topic to discuss and at other times participants foster their own topics. You will have a chance to learn about things you didn't know about before from people that have the life experience to tell you how it impacted them; treatments, medications, coping skills, programs, etc.
Myth: My personal and confidential information be shared in a way I cannot control
Fact: Confidentiality is essential to any therapeutic experience. Confidentiality is protected not only by the policies of Pacific MFT Network, but by law, and each group member must sign a confidentiality agreement which specifies the civil and criminal penalties that can result from breaches of confidentiality.
GROUPS
Current Groups
Join other people who get it....
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Gives you space to talk about your experience having a loved one struggle with an eating disorder
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Allows for you to connect with others who also have loved ones who have an eating disorder
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Provides helpful tools and resources in supporting your loved one
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Offers valuable insights for moving forward towards stability
Santa Monica Office
Tuesdays, 6:30 to 7:30 PM
$40 per session
Facilitated by Taylor Crowser Associate MFT #108468 under the supervision of Tracy Bevington, LMFT #53455
Contact Taylor by phone or text at 424-292-2294
We use the Full of Ourselves book to learn and grow in self-empowerment!
Join other Middle and High School girls in this support group that will encourage:
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Increased Self & Body Acceptance
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Healthier Eating, Coping, and Exercise Habits
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Leadership and Identity
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Higher Self Esteem and Confidence
Santa Monica Office
Mondays, 5:30 to 7:00 PM
$40 per session, plus a $10 materials fee
Facilitated by Darcy Manav Associate MFT #83463 under the supervision of Andrea Najemy, LMFT #90985
Contact Darcy by phone or text at 424-247-6126 or email darcy@pacificmft.com
A place for teen girls to get together and share their experiences with:
Body Image
Self Esteem
Identity Building
Coping
Social Skills
Manhattan Beach Office
Mondays, 5:30 to 7:00 PM
$40 per session with a $10 materials fee
Facilitated by Summer Myers, Registered MFT Intern #100335 and Clinical Art Therapist
under the supervision of Tracy Bevington, LMFT #53455
Contact Summer by phone or text at 424-254-9188
This Art Therapy group for children encourages peer interactions, provides a sense of belonging, encourages sharing experiences, and encourages communicating feelings.
Social Skills Coping Skills & Emotional Regulation
Santa Monica Office
Thursdays, 5:00 to 6:30 PM
$30 per session with a $10 materials fee
Facilitated by Summer Myers, Registered MFT Intern #100335 and Clinical Art Therapist
under the supervision of Tracy Bevington, LMFT #53455
Contact Summer by phone or text at 424-254-9188
SMART Recovery can be used to address any addictive behavior. No matter what your addiction, the Program’s tools and techniques will help you overcome the behavior. You’ll find a warm and welcoming community in both our face-to face meetings and online activities. SMART Recovery uses tools based on scientifically-proven methods for addiction recovery such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy and motivational interviewing. For more detailed information about SMART Recovery, please visit their website at http://www.smartrecovery.org/
Manhattan Beach
Mondays, 2:30 to 3:30 PM
Donations appreciated to cover the cost of facilities
Facilitated by Matianna Baldasari, LMFT #93379 and Certified SMART Recovery Facilitator
Contact Pacific MFT Office by phone or text at 310-612-2998
• Reduce anxiety & stress
• Explore anxiety through art
• New materials every week
• No art experience required
Santa Monica/West LA Office
Thursdays, 7:00 to 8:30 PM
$40 per session with a $10 materials fee
Facilitated by Summer Myers, Registered MFT Intern #100335 and Clinical Art Therapist
under the supervision of Tracy Bevington, LMFT #53455
Contact Summer by phone or text at 424-254-9188
EXERCISE, REFLECTION, and PRACTICAL TOOLS for:
Stress Relief, Greater Resiliency, Improved Sleep, Greater Flexibility, Building Compassion, Boosting Mood, Quieting the Mind, Improving Posture, Increasing Energy, Promoting Blood Circulation, Strengthening Nervous System. These sessions are a non-intimidating and easy way to engage in self-care. Come relieve stress in a gentle and nurturing environment. There will be a series of simple yoga postures, stretches, and meditations (no experience necessary!), Direction on mindfulness and how to observe the mind-body connection while engaging in the physical activity, Reflective conversation at the end of each session, Mantras (meditative music) will be used as another tool of wellness.
Santa Monica/West LA Officce
Thursdays 6:00 to 7:00 PM
$23 per session or $92 for the entire series
Facilitated by Matianna Baldassari, Licensed MFT #93379 and Certified Kundalini Yoga Instructor
Contact Matianna by phone or text at 424-254-9611
Cancer Support with Modified TRE
Modified TRE (Tension Release Exercises) can help people that have been recently diagnosed and going through treatment for cancer. By releasing stress and anxiety from your body's nervous system, Modified TRE reduced pain and inflammation, increased energy, improved coping and stress tolerance, improvements to the immune system, less anxiety/worry, reduction in depression and overwhelm.
Santa Monica/West LA Office
Day and Time TBD
$50 per session
Facilitated by Cibele Sousa, Registered MFT Intern #75801
under the supervision of Tracy Bevington, LMFT #53455
Contact Cibele by phone or text at 424-247-6172
Eating Disorder Recovery with Modified TRE
Join us to continue your path to whole body wellness. Through Modified TRE (Tension Release Exercises) Learn to connect with yourself (body, mind, and emotions), by building emotional strength and resilience, finding tools to better cope with stress, prevent relapse, improve reaction to triggers, manage depression and anxiety.
Santa Monica/West LA Office
Day and Time TBD
$50 per session
Facilitated by Cibele Sousa, Registered MFT Intern #75801
under the supervision of Tracy Bevington, LMFT #53455
Contact Cibele by phone or text at 424-247-6172
Stress reduction, tension and emotional trauma release, relief from body aches and pains, improved sleep and better mood. Tension Release Exercises (TRE®) were developed by David Berceli, PhD, during a long career working in areas afflicted by war and natural disaster. After witnessing trauma on a mass scale, he came to a deep understanding of the trauma cycle and recognized a desperate need for effective recovery methods. He designed a series of simple exercises to turn on the natural human shaking response that signals a return to safety and calm. By activating this self-induced therapeutic tremor with mindful attention to physical and psychological comfort, there is usually no need to actually talk about the original trauma to achieve lasting, positive results.
Santa Monica/West LA Office
Sundays 3:00 to 4:00 PM
$50 per session
Facilitated by Cibele Sousa, Registered MFT Intern #75801 and Certified TRE Facilitator
under the supervision of Tracy Bevington, LMFT #53455
Contact Cibele by phone or email at 424-247-6172
A support group for middle school aged children of divorce, ages 12-14. This group meets weekly and is an open group welcoming boys and girls experiencing current or recent divorce in their family. Find much needed peer support, coping skills, understanding of the process and impact on their lives, heal from the pain, and find strength, resilience, and hope through the process.
Santa Monica/West LA Office
Sundays at 3:30 to 4:30 PM
$40 per session
Facilitated by Cibele Sousa, Registered MFT Intern #75801
under the supervision of Tracy Bevington, LMFT #53455
Contact Cibele by phone or text at 424-247-6172
Playful parenting is a group that incorporates the principals of the highly researched and effective “Parent Child Interaction Therapy” into a structured 5 week format. Through play, parents can deepen their connection with their child while also learning effective behavior management skills. All of this is done with the support of a live coach to help apply skills in the moment!
Manhattan Beach and Santa Monica/West LA
Day and Time TBD
$50 per session
Facilitated by Andrea Najemy, Licensed MFT # 90985, PCIT Certified Therapist
Contact Andrea by phone or text at 424-247-6412