Interpersonal Process Group Therapy in Chicago
At HumanKind Psychological Services, we offer interpersonal process group therapy for adults in Chicago who want to strengthen their relationships, build self-awareness, and feel more connected to others.
Individual therapy is a great option for mental health support, but it is not the only one. Group therapy is another effective modality that might work for you. Before you stop reading, I know what you’re thinking. Anything from “No way” to “I don’t need group” to “So I tell my problems to a group of strangers?”
Yes, group therapy can be scary when you are just starting. I’ve never met a client who hasn’t been anxious about their first group session. However, the vast majority of clients I’ve worked with in groups end up feeling glad they took that first step. Many clients even notice the anxiety dissipating in the first session.
And, yes, initially your fellow members are strangers. But that doesn’t last long. As you get to know the other members, you may feel more understood and cared for than you initially expected.
What is an Interpersonal Process Group?
Interpersonal process groups are different from skills-based groups or traditional support groups. Yes, we still support each other and learn things, but our focus is on how we are connecting and relating to each other and ourselves. Enhancing our self-awareness, communication skills, and connections within the group space translates well into our daily lives.
Group Therapy at HumanKind Might Be Right For You If...
You struggle with saying "no."
Setting boundaries is not easy for you. Maybe you try to set them, but then keep quiet if others don’t respect your boundaries. Maybe you consider yourself a “people pleaser." You find yourself saying “yes” to others’ requests even if it inconveniences you.
Social situations make you feel anxious or afraid.
Going out to social events is a chore for you, or it creates a lot of stress. You may spend a lot of time thinking about and preparing for these outings, and might even find excuses to cancel. You might be relieved when others cancel. After socializing, you may analyze what you said or did and feel embarrassed.
You worry about how people perceive you.
Maybe it’s about how you look. Maybe it’s about your personality. Or, it could be a combination of things. Does your worry about how others perceive you impact your ability to be present and enjoy experiences to the fullest? Do you try to act or appear differently just to gain approval from others?
You feel lonely, even when you are with friends or family.
Whether you have tons of friends or none, you struggle with loneliness and a lack of authentic connections with others. With close friends or family, you feel like these people don’t really know you. If your circle is small, maybe you have a hard time making friends. Or maybe you can make friends easily, but you struggle to maintain and deepen these connections.
You have too much (or too little) conflict in your life.
Maybe you often say “I hate confrontation,” and tend to avoid disagreeing with others or speaking up when something hurts you. Or, maybe you find yourself in a lot of conflicts with others, and you're starting to wonder why drama seems to follow you.
You feel like people are constantly disappointing you.
You feel like you are always showing up for other people but they don't show up the same way for you. Maybe you've decided it isn't worth trusting people, because they'll just let you down like they always do. You try to keep your expectations low so that you won't be upset, but you still end up feeling like nobody really cares about you.
How Does Interpersonal Process Group Therapy Work?
Interpersonal process groups focus on the present moment interactions among group members. Members may talk about what they are struggling with, and will receive support and feedback from others in the group. Group leaders are intentional about bringing the conversation back to how we are relating to each other in the group, and how this may echo our interactions with people in our daily lives. Interpersonal process groups create a safe place to practice sharing emotions, giving and receiving feedback to fellow members, and trying out different ways of relating to yourself and others.
Group Therapy Details and Registration
Our group meets every Wednesday from 6:00-7:30PM in our Lakeview office, and is facilitated by Dr. Ellie Milligan, Psy.D., and Sydney Aronson, M.A.
Including facilitators, the size of the group ranges from 6-10 members.
An intake session with one or both group facilitators is required prior to joining the group. This initial session involves more discussion about what to expect from the group and how the group can be helpful for your personal goals.
If you have questions or would like more information before scheduling your initial intake, please email drellie@humankindpsych.com.
Insurance & Fees for Group Therapy
HumanKind Psych is paneled as an in-network provider for the following insurance plans:
If we are not in-network with your insurance plan, you may see us as an out-of-network provider and submit a bill to your insurance company. They may reimburse you.
Our standard out-of-pocket fee for our Interpersonal Process Group is $40 per session.
Note: Fees may vary slightly by clinician role and expertise. Your specific session fee will be discussed and agreed upon prior to the start of treatment. The late cancellation/ no-show fee is equivalent to your standard session fee. Our intake coordinator will be happy to answer any questions you might have regarding payment and fees.
Interested in Joining Our Group?
If you are interested in joining our group, the first step is to schedule a brief 15-minute consultation call with Dr. Ellie Milligan. During this call, Dr. Ellie will discuss the group in more detail to help determine if it’s the right fit for you. Schedule your consultation using the button below.