LGBTQ+ Substance Use Recovery Space

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When: Wednesdays

Time: 8pm – 9:30pm 90 min

Where: via Zoom/Drop-in

Suggested donation: $5-10 per weekly session. Donations welcome but no one turned away due to lack of funds 

To join contact: groups@liberationinstitute.org

Description: This group provides a deeply supportive space for individuals to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a non-judgmental environment, fostering a sense of belonging and reducing feelings of isolation. Through the dynamics of group interaction, we aim to create an environment where participants can improve interpersonal skills, practice empathy, and experience mutual support amongst group members. Though we welcome people who are “sober curious”–– those who have not yet committed to the path of sobriety––we ask that participants not be under the influence of mind-altering substances for at least 24 hours prior to arriving in group.


Facilitators: Kara Schamell & Steven Anderson

Steven is a Marriage and Family Therapist trainee and a second-year master’s student in Counseling Psychology. As a gay man and active member of both the LGBTQ+ and recovery communities, he brings several years of lived experience in sobriety to his clinical training. Steven has facilitated recovery group meetings for over two years and is passionate about supporting queer-identifying individuals as they navigate substance use challenges and find healing within the queer community. Before pursuing a career in counseling, Steven worked in creative roles in the fashion industry in New York City and Los Angeles, where he developed a deep appreciation for identity, expression, and resilience. Steven is supervised by Adina Ascher, LCSW 28900
 

Kara Schamell is a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee in her second year of a master’s program in counseling psychology. With six years of personal experience in group therapy and five years of experience facilitating racial justice consciousness-raising groups, she is passionate about providing spaces for healing to unfold within community. Kara is a strong ally to numerous family members and friends who are in recovery, whose journeys inspire her work as a therapist. As a lesbian, she feels especially called to serve the LGBTQ+ community, which is disproportionately affected by substance abuse and mental health challenges. Prior to transitioning to a career in mental health counseling, she worked in the field of women’s health for nearly 15 years––guiding hundreds of people through pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and peri-menopause. Kara is supervised by Miles Ruttinger, LMFT #133402

Skill Building for Emotional Support

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When: Starting Friday, the 21st, Fridays 10-11:30am 90 min

Time: 10-11:30am 90 min

Where: via Zoom

Suggested donation: $5-10 per weekly session. No one turned away for lack of funds. 

To join contact: groups@liberationinstitute.org

For anyone looking for a safe space for general support and coping skill building with a
creative twist. This weekly drop-in group is focused on offering an inclusive, collaborative space
for general support, as well as tools for stress management, emotional regulation, and
self care. Techniques are drawn from positive psychology, mindfulness, and somatic
based practices to help clients better help themselves during times of distress. Sessions
may incorporate creative modalities such as sound, movement, writing, acting, and
visual arts to support participants through tough situations and strong emotions.
General support activities in group therapy can include icebreakers like “Two Truths and
a Lie”, sharing personal experiences, check-ins to discuss current challenges, active
listening, providing validation and empathy, discussing coping mechanisms, practicing
relaxation techniques like deep breathing, and collaborative art projects to foster
self-expression and group connection; all aimed at creating a safe space for individuals
to share their struggles and gain support from others within the group. Every session
gives space to learn and practice emotional regulation techniques, promoting balance
and holistic well being.


Facilitators:

Emily Martinez is currently pursuing her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy
at Touro University Worldwide, and works as an MFT Trainee at the Liberation
Institute, providing accessible, collaborative therapy for individuals, couples,
families, and groups across California via telehealth. As a dedicated therapist
trainee, she is passionate about supporting individuals navigating issues such as
anxiety, depression, stress management, relationship issues, through a
compassionate and collaborative approach. Drawing on her training in Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and person-centered therapy, she strives to create a
safe space for clients to explore their experiences and develop coping
mechanisms for personal growth and facilitate positive change. She is deeply
motivated to help others facing challenges through a trauma-informed lens. She
places an emphasis on integrative therapy and other eclectic therapies. Currently
honing her skills in mindfulness practices and motivational interviewing, she aims
to provide tailored interventions that address individual needs.

Kaitlyn Plante’s work offers an artistic take on body-based and Liberatory
approaches to mental health. She uses visual arts, writing, music, movement and
drama therapy techniques to holistically and creatively address a variety of
issues in ways that talk therapy alone cannot. Kaitlyn supports those struggling
with anxiety, depression, self esteem, relationships, grief, and experiences of
trauma in finding an internal sense of safety, compassion, and liberation by
combining mind-body awareness with creative expression. Her work is
collaborative, client-centered, strengths-based, and solution-focused. She is
committed to providing trauma-informed care, emphasizing resilience and
empowerment. Kaitlyn is currently a MFT Trainee at the Liberation Institute,
providing accessible and inclusive therapy for individuals, couples, families, and
groups across California via telehealth. She is completing her Masters in
Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Expressive Arts Therapy at
California Institute of Integral Studies.

Both Kaitlyn and Emily are Supervised by Miles Ruttinger, LMFT #133402

Care for Caregivers

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When: Thursdays, Beginning Feb. 20, 2025

Time: 1-2:30 PM

Where: via Google Meet

Suggested donation: $5-10 per weekly session. No one turned away for lack of funds. 

To join contact: groups@liberationinstitute.org

Caring for the physical and mental wellbeing of others as a family member or in a professional capacity is uniquely taxing work. There can be devastating effects on those providing long-term care, especially for those helping individuals with higher support needs: financial pressures, legal quandaries, health problems, and emotional turmoil. Joining a support group can be incredibly beneficial for caregivers. Caregiver groups work to help those who care for loved ones or clients with chronic conditions, disabilities or disease, as well as those supporting the living needs of children and older adults. These groups provide a safe space to connect with others who understand the unique challenges of caregiving, share experiences and find emotional support. They also provide a space to share coping strategies and strengthen caregiver self-care. The primary value of caregiver support groups is to provide a place where caregivers can give voice to stressful experiences, strong feelings and personal frustrations in the company of others who can relate and respond without judgment. Care for Caregivers provides a nonjudgmental and compassionate framework for caregivers to find understanding and support from others who are in similar situations. Both family and professionals are encouraged to participate. 

This group provides a nonjudgmental framework for caregivers to find understanding and support from others who are in similar situations. 

Both family and professionals are encouraged to participate.


Facilitators:
Kaitlyn Leilani May Plante is currently pursuing her Masters in Counseling Psychology at California Institute of Integral Studies, and works as a MFT Trainee at the Liberation Institute, providing accessible, neurodivergent-affirming therapy for individuals, couples, families, and groups across California via tele-health. Her practice integrates a multi-modal Expressive Arts Therapy practice with somatics, neurobiology, Narrative therapy, and Liberation psychology. Kaitlyn’s work is collaborative, client-centered, strengths-based, and solution-focused. She is committed to providing trauma-informed care, emphasizing resilience and empowerment. After a life-threatening accident left Kaitlyn physically and emotionally scarred, she decided to pursue a career in mental health, in hopes of helping others who have experienced trauma. Her goal is to open an integrative therapy and retreat space offering Expressive Arts and other holistic therapies. Kaitlyn is supervised by Miles Ruttinger, LMFT #133402

Suvi Silvanto is a therapist committed to providing compassionate, client-centered care. She works with individuals, couples, and families, integrating a holistic, trauma-informed approach that honors each client’s unique strengths and experiences. Drawing from Narrative Therapy, Liberation Psychology, and Attachment Theory, she focuses on resilience, empowerment, and personal transformation. She earned her MA in Counseling Psychology from CIIS in 2024 and has spent the past year as a student therapist at the Liberation Institute, supporting diverse clients through various challenges. Having lived in multiple cultures, she brings a global perspective to her work and is deeply interested in feminist psychology, social justice, and the intersections of identity and mental well-being. Suvi strives to create an affirming and accessible space that acknowledges the diverse experiences of her clients. Her integrative approach combines psychodynamic work, somatic techniques, mindfulness, and transpersonal psychology, tailoring therapy to each client’s journey. With a backgroundin art and design, she values creativity as a powerful tool for self-expression and exploration. Suvi is supervised by Adina Ascher, LCSW #28900

Weekly Support Group – Wednesdays at 6PM

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Every Wednesday at 6:00pm-7:30pm PST

Where: Weekly Via Zoom

Looking for support and connection in a safe space where you can just be—no judgment, no pressure? Our Weekly Support Group is an affirming, inclusive, welcoming therapeutic space for connection, reflection, and real talk. This open-topic, drop-in group invites you to share and connect with others while receiving support and guidance from two compassionate host therapists. This group is accessible to all California residents and meets weekly via Zoom. While there is no cost to join, donations are always welcome and help support Liberation Institute’s mission to provide affordable and accessible therapy to ALL. Come as you are, share as you feel comfortable, and know that support is here for you. 

Facilitators:

Myles Green – “My name is Myles and I feel very lucky to serve here at the Liberation Institute. I’ve been working as a middle school P.E. teacher for the past 7 years; and I recently came to the realization that much of my experience here informs my current passion for mental health. When I first started as an educator, I began noticing that many if not most of my students were unable to access the curriculum until they learned to process some of their more challenging emotions. Hence, I have since made the pivot to focus on addressing this before diving into any academic content. Today, I strive everyday to make sure my students are empowered with the tools they need to be their best selves. And I hope to do the same here at Libi. My work utilizes a collaborative approach to determine what therapeutic interventions work best for clients, as I believe they are the experts on their own stories and respective journeys. I prefer to think of myself as a humble guide helping to keep things on track along the way. One of my favorite things to witness is when clients utilize strengths they never knew they had to tackle challenges they never thought they’d overcome. My hope is to illuminate opportunities for this and other transformative change within all those I am privileged to work with.”

Brianna Breimayer – “Brianna is a bisexual female-identified Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee at Liberation Institute focusing on queer and polyamorous relationship counseling in the Bay Area. She employs various modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Brianna is pursuing her Masters degree in Counseling Psychology at Golden Gate University and plans to graduate December 2025. In her free time she enjoys being active outside via long distance running, rock climbing, skiing, and hiking, as well as pursues her hobbies of dancing, attending music festivals, and fire spinning. Brianna is passionate about her work and brings a holistic approach to working with clients to help them work through their current and past concerns to lead more fulfilling and peaceful lives.”


Both Brianna Breimayer and Myles Green are Supervised by a Licensed Person. 


RVSP/Contact: groups@liberationinstitute.org