Tag Archive for: illness

Performance Anxiety Support Group

Wednesdays 5:00pm – 6:15pm

Do you shake, get butterflies, or suffer from dry mouth before performances? Does your heart rate go up and your confidence and great ideas disappear before presentations? One of the worst effects of stage fright is the way it can isolate us and lead us to the notion that our suffering is uniquely extreme.

You are not alone! Stage fright is a common phenomenon experienced by musicians, athletes, executives, therapists, and anyone else who endeavors to engage in something that will be experienced and potentially evaluated by others.

A therapy group is a powerful context in which to learn about performance anxiety, process your experiences, gain a greater understanding of what is underneath your stage fright, begin to heal, and move towards a more adaptive and functional relationship with performance anxiety. Many find that what they saw as their greatest weakness becomes an invaluable asset and that exploring the deep inner conflicts driving stage fright leads to satisfying, confident, and brilliant performances.

We will learn together what performance anxiety is, what drives it, and what we can do about it. Additionally, we will share experiences and take a deep dive into the meanings we have assigned to those experiences. This safe, supportive environment will serve as a locus of healing and growth. The ultimate goals are to shift your perspective and support you in striving towards being the performer you want to be!

Facilitators: Scott Macomber
Bio: Scott Macomber has been an MFT trainee at The Liberation Institute since January of 2022. He attends the California School of Professional Psychology and will graduate later this year with a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. Also a full-time orchestral trumpet player, chamber musician, recording artist, and educator, Scott graduated from Northwestern University and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music with degrees in Music. Scott has been helping performers overcome stage fright and give their best performances for over 25 years.

Supervisor Name: Adina Ascher, LCSW 28900
RVSP/Contactscottm@liberationinstitute.org
Location: California
Who this group is for: Anyone interested. No prerequisites
How many weeks will the group run for: 12 weeks

Couples Managing STIs Support Group

Thursdays from 7:00-7:50pm

Managing STIs (sexually transmitted infections) involves more than symptom management alone. Sometimes we must navigate social stigma, chronic pain, the medical system, uncomfortable conversations, and make accommodations for ourselves and our partners. In this group, couples can share their experiences with each other in an open and non-judgmental space. Your confidentiality is our priority. Please email us at shellyh@liberationinstitute.org and carolinea@liberationinstitute.org

Facilitators: Caroline Anton, MFT Trainee & Shelly Holland, MFT Trainee
Bio: Shelly is a MFT Trainee with Liberation Institute and a graduate student at Alliant International University. She previously worked for a Planned Parenthood clinic in Denver, at biosecurity and neuromodulation start-ups here in the Bay Area, and with environmental education youth groups near her hometown, Half Moon Bay. Shelly studied communication and human sexuality at UC Santa Barbara, and has several years of experience working in human sexuality education groups. When Shelly isn’t exercising her mind, she’s running, rock climbing, and gardening.

Caroline is a MFT Trainee with Liberation Institute and a Counseling Psychology graduate student with an emphasis in depth psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Her previous experience in mental health includes volunteering as a Crisis Counselor at Crisis Text Line, as well as minoring in Psychology at Cal Poly SLO. At Cal Poly SLO, she majored in Agricultural Communication, learning about agricultural practices and applying that to communicating between farmers and consumers. She has worked in numerous settings, such as as a hostess and server in restaurants, an intern at a nonprofit studying nutrition, and a swim instructor. When Caroline is not with clients, she is hiking, doing yoga, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

Supervisor Name: Crystal Haviland, LPCC7633 Josie Valderrama, PsyD27913
RVSP/Contactshellyh@liberationinstitute.org
Location: California
Who this group is for: Personal experience having STIs, relationship of any kind with someone w/ STIs
How many weeks will the group run for: Drop in group (On-going)

New In Town Support Group

Every Wednesday from 10-11 AM

Moving to a new place can be very exciting, but it can also be one of the most stressful events in our lives. This group is a space where people new to the Bay Area can share their experiences, discuss challenges, and connect with others in the same situation. Whether you moved here this week, or several years ago, this group welcomes anyone new in town! Please email us at shellyh@liberationinstitute.org and carolinea@liberationinstitute.org.

Facilitators: Caroline Anton, MFT Trainee & Shelly Holland, MFT Trainee
Bio: Shelly is a MFT Trainee with Liberation Institute and a graduate student at Alliant International University. She previously worked for a Planned Parenthood clinic in Denver, at biosecurity and neuromodulation start-ups here in the Bay Area, and with environmental education youth groups near her hometown, Half Moon Bay. Shelly studied communication and human sexuality at UC Santa Barbara, and has several years of experience working in human sexuality education groups. When Shelly isn’t exercising her mind, she’s running, rock climbing, and gardening.

Caroline is a MFT Trainee with Liberation Institute and a Counseling Psychology graduate student with an emphasis in depth psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Her previous experience in mental health includes volunteering as a Crisis Counselor at Crisis Text Line, as well as minoring in Psychology at Cal Poly SLO. At Cal Poly SLO, she majored in Agricultural Communication, learning about agricultural practices and applying that to communicating between farmers and consumers. She has worked in numerous settings, such as as a hostess and server in restaurants, an intern at a nonprofit studying nutrition, and a swim instructor. When Caroline is not with clients, she is hiking, doing yoga, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Supervisor Name: Crystal Haviland, LPCC7633 Josie Valderrama, PsyD27913
RVSP/Contactincoming@liberationinstitute.org
Location: California, online
Who this group is for: Must be experiencing challenges associated with moving to a new place somewhere generally in the Bay Area.
How many weeks will the group run for: Drop in group (On-going)

Reading Group

Thursdays, 5:30PM – 6PM, beginning 11/18/22

Group reflection relies on individual reaction. Our starting point is the body, resilience and trauma. Our work is in group dynamics and relationship. Our presence is uniquely beneficial. Rainy day reading is an online group that meets weekly, Thursday, 5:30-6pm to discuss therapist Resmaa Menakem’s take on race and our bodies. Rainy day reading is facilitated by Rose McCormick (she/her), a student in counseling psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute and a trainee at the Liberation Institute. This group is offered by donation, no one is turned away for lack of funds,contact Rose McCormick with questions or to make a reservation.

Facilitators: Rose McCormick
Supervisor Name: Shelly Stratton, PhD, LCSW, Oregon Board of Mental Health. License # 7252.
RVSP/Contactincoming@liberationinstitute.org
Location: California, online
Who this group is for: anyone, no prior therapy experience is required
How many weeks will the group run for: Drop in group (On-going)

Art Group

Every Wednesday at 9:30-11:00am PST

Looking to the muse inside of us for inspiration. Art as a way to know ourselves and see beyond the literal. Awake dreaming. Strengthening our creative muscle which resources us in other areas of our life. Art therapy is a lot like Jungian Analysis in that we live inside of the questions, breathing life into what wants to be expressed being careful not to interpret or analyze, but just be with what is present here now.

Facilitators: Laura Miola
Bio: Laura Miola is MFT trainee, trained as a somatic based expressive arts therapist through the Tamalpa institute. Laura is interested in working with dream images and helping individuals become their true authentic self. As an artist she has danced, created theatre performances and has had a painting practice since childhood. She is passionate about creativity in therapy and working with images from a decentered approach.
Supervisor Name: Josie Valderrama, Psy.D. License # Psy27913
RVSP/Contactincoming@liberationinstitute.org
Location: California
Who this group is for: anyone
How many weeks will the group run for: Drop in group (On-going)

Couples and Chronic Illness Support Group

Mondays at 4:30pm beginning 9/12/22

A weekly community for couples and families who wish to share and receive additional support surrounding chronic illness, its emotional toll, and any surrounding issues which may arise and impact one or both partners.

Facilitators: Joclyn Krevat, MFT Trainee, Scott Macomber, MFT Trainee
Supervisor Name: Supervised by Adina M. Ascher, LCSW #28900, and Crystal Haviland, LPCC #7633
RVSP/Contactincoming@liberationinstitute.org
Bio:

Scott Macomber is a marriage and family therapist trainee who believes in the transformative power of emotion. For more than 30 years as a professional musician, Scott has used emotion as a powerful tool to reach audiences. Now, as a therapist, Scott is excited to help individuals, couples, and families heal, turn back towards each other, and grow. Scott is also a passionate husband and father of three beautiful children.

Joclyn Krevat is a marriage and family therapist trainee working toward a second master’s degree at TUW. In her previous career as an occupational therapist, Joclyn took a holistic approach to physical rehabilitation. Now, as a therapist therapist, Joclyn is excited to have pivoted her focus to emotional healing. Joclyn is from Brooklyn, married a nice guy. knows first hand about chronic illness, and is a dog person.


Location: California
Who this group is for: Couples and families/ no prior therapy experience is required
How many weeks will the group run for: Drop in group (On-going)