Group Psychotherapy
Stress Reduction & Trauma Informed Groups
Life can be full of stressors and triggers. Our nervous systems can become overwhelmed and dysregulated by these experiences. These groups at Whitman-Walker Health support a better understanding of how our minds and bodies manage stress in a non-judgmental, non-shaming, and self-affirming way.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
A structured 12-session Cognitive Behavioral Therapy group for addressing how trauma impacts thinking, designed to treat PTSD.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is one specific type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CPT focuses on how your thinking has been impacted by the trauma and teaches you to take a look at your thoughts and help you progress toward recovery. CPT is an effective, 12 session group which treats PTSD across a variety of populations.
Group Leaders: Dr. Kevin Waldorf-Cruz, LICSW & Jamila Kani, LICSW
Offered through: Zoom
Contact for more information: kwaldorf@whiman-walker.org
Processing Sexual Harm with EMDR
A trauma healing group using EMDR techniques for LGBTQ+ individuals, allowing participants to heal without sharing explicit details of their experiences.
This group is an opportunity to heal in community. Participants will use a mind-body approach to trauma healing and explore a felt sense of safety and connection within oneself and with others. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) allows for healing together without needing to talk about details or share memories out loud. LGBTQ+ participants of all genders are welcome to participate no matter the type(s) of sexual violence or length of time since the experience. *Connection to individual counseling is required to join this group
Group Leaders: Jamila Kani, LICSW & Katie Boleware, LICSW
Offered at: 1525
Contact for more information: jkani@whitman-walker.org
Renewal
A mindfulness-based group for LGBTQ+ individuals recovering from sexual harm, focusing on community support and reconnecting with the self.
Renewal welcomes LGBTQ+ folks who have experienced sexual harm to reconnect to self and others. Through body-based mindfulness practices within community, we can relearn how to come home to ourselves. Group members will support one another’s healing by practicing building trust, listening compassionately, and developing skills to ride the waves of emotion.
Group Facilitator: Katie Boleware, LICSW
Offered through: Zoom
Contact for more information: kboleware@whitman-walker.org or 202.207.2387
Stress Reduction
An ongoing group offering support for those coping with chronic or acute stress, using techniques like mindfulness and relaxation to manage stress’s effects on the mind and body
Stress Reduction is an ongoing psychotherapy group for individuals coping with the effects of chronic or acute stress in their lives. This group offers a supportive environment to connect with others and to 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.
Group Leader: Jamila Kani, LICSW
Offered through: Zoom
Contact Jamila for more information: jkani@whitman-walker.org
Understanding Your Nervous System
A short-term group teaching mind-body techniques for self-regulation, helping participants develop tools for emotional well-being and healing.
Learn how to work with your natural nervous system responses instead of against it. In this short-term psychotherapy group, you’ll learn the basic concepts of self-regulation through mind-body education and experiential exercises. You will develop the tools to be better partners with your body, allowing for increased healing and emotional well-being.
Group Leader: Agustín Aguirre Herrera, LICSW
Offered at: 1525 and MRC or through Zoom
Contact Agustín for more information: aaguirreherrerra@whitman-walker.org
