- • Are you a person of color recognizing the toll that our current society is taking on you?
- • Have you experienced micro-aggressions, gaslighting, racial bias or discrimination?
- • Do you long for a brave space to process the thoughts and emotions brought on by systemic racism?
- • Would you appreciate assistance with balancing the reality of current cultural dynamics with your personal agency – managing what you can control?
Join us for this therapy journey into building a thriving self in an often hostile environment. This group has the following goals/purposes:
- Identify the effects of societal trauma, such as: anxiety, depression, or hopelessness
- Work through the pain of such experiences
- Create and maintain healthy boundaries
- Manage the areas of life over which you do have influence
This is not just a support group. The experience will be professional therapy led by Dr Andrea Dyben, LMHC. It is designed to be an ongoing experience but will be delivered in four-week modules, meaning no long-term commitment. Each four week module reserves a seat in the group which has a limited membership. As a closed group, no new members will be accepted once the module begins. This is designed to protect the safety and trust that must be built and maintained among the members in order for the group to function. Thus, payment for the module is required whether or not you attend individual sessions. No matter how many modules you choose to complete, you will gain a clearer understanding of the path you need to follow toward hope and effectiveness in life. Most importantly, the group format allows you to build connections with like-minded fellow sojourners that will continue long after the group ends!
Message from your group leader:
For seven years, I taught the multicultural competency course in a graduate counselor education program. This gave me the opportunity to dive into the research on race and culture and to regularly engage the tough conversations around the experiences of my students’ from diverse perspectives. I developed a specialty in facilitating brave space for such crucial discussions. Add to that, my own experience as a person of color and you have a unique perspective and passion for addressing the truth of systemic oppression while calling out the agency and power we each have to craft the life we have been called to live. I look forward to this exciting journey with each of you!
Visit our Counselors page to learn more about your group leader.
Typical group procedures will include “round robins” where each person in the circle responds to a prompt and mostly spontaneous discussion centered around guiding questions provided by the leader. Creative activities will also be provided which offer an opportunity to non-verbally process thoughts and feelings. These activities will typically end with an opportunity to verbalize what was felt and thought during the activity. In between sessions, participants will have assignments designed to facilitate application of group growth to real life.
The cost for this group experience which provides 6 hours of intensive therapy services is a total of $140 which is payable by the first meeting of the group. This represents a significant savings over the standard $130 per hour therapy fee! If any participants are unable to pay in full up front, a deposit of $75 is payable before the first meeting of the group. A second payment of $75 would be due before the third meeting of the group. A weekly payment plan of $40 is also available. Note that payment is for your place in the group, whether or not you attend.
If your health insurance coverage is a PPO policy which offers some coverage for out-of network providers – we will be happy to provide a bill of service you can submit for possible reimbursement. Please note that such reimbursement will require us to diagnose you with a mental health condition which would be noted on the bill of service.
Ready to transform your painful experiences into new life? Fill out the interest form on this page. We will contact you to schedule a 30 minute assessment appointment with your group leader. The cost for this session will be $35. We want to build a group of folks who are ready and able to walk this kind of path. Everyone is different and this group may not be the best fit for all those dealing with racial tension. If “Racial Oasis” is a good fit, you will participate in the process of determining the best day and time for the group to meet. You will receive the group’s service agreement and informed consent. That’s it!
We look forward to beginning this important journey to rebirth and purpose with you.