Group Therapy
Groups are frequently included as a part of a treatment plan to assist patients in reaching their goals. Group therapy is as effective as individual therapy for a wide range of symptoms and conditions. In many cases, groups can be even more effective than individual therapy, thanks to the stigma reduction and solidarity that people experience in the presence of their peers. Group recommendations are tailored to the patient’s goals and needs, and factors such as the type of group, current group makeup, and the personal journey will all be taken into account.
How to refer to Axis group therapy
Referring someone to Axis groups is a straightforward process designed to enhance patient care through specialized group therapy. Utilizing our easy online form, anyone can initiate a referral, ensuring a seamless experience for both the referrer and the individual. We ask that those referred meet with a therapist to determine the most suitable group to address their specific needs, even if they have an existing community behavioral health provider. We encourage referrals from medical providers as well.
Refer to Axis groups: https://www.axishealthsystem.org/referral/
By referring to Axis groups, individuals gain access to expertly led, evidence-based interventions that foster a supportive community, promoting a sense of belonging and mutual understanding. This referral not only complements existing services but also enhances mental health support through our innovative and patient-centered approach. For inquiries or further assistance, please reach out to referrals@axishealthsystem.org
Group types
- Education/Skills/Support/Therapy
- Education groups educate group members about a topic and teach healthy coping strategies.
- Skills groups focus on developing skills to further recovery. Participants learn and practice new skills, as well as share their successes and challenges in using skills in their lives outside of group.
- Support groups provide unconditional acceptance in a safe setting where group members share common goals. Group members have the opportunity to talk about challenges and receive feedback. Support groups are often facilitated by peer support specialists.
- Therapy groups build relationships between group members and allows for self-reflection, insight, and growth through interactions between group members.
- Open/Closed
- An open group is available for new members to join at any time. A closed group allows new members to join during a specific time frame, then closes to new members for a period of time.
Mental Health Groups
Anxiety & Depression
- Interpersonal processing and support, as well as learning/using skills to decrease symptoms. Ongoing sessions. Open group.
CBT for Perinatal Mental Health
- Groups consists of CBT for perinatal anxiety and depression following the tools in the book Titled “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety and Depression During Pregnancy and Beyond” by Sheryl M. Green, Benicia N. Frey, Eleanor Donegan, and Randi E. McCabe. Group will be open to women who are pregnant and up to 2 years postpartum that are experiencing anxiety, depression, or other perinatal mental health diagnosis.
- Group will be open to patients who are pregnant or up to 2 years postpartum and are enrolled in behavioral health services.
Creating Healthy Relationships
- Relationship education group emphasizing the importance of communication skills. Self-reflection on attachment styles including the most recent research. Includes skills from NVC, Internal Family Systems, and DBT Interpersonal Effectiveness. Closed group, 8-week cycle.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- DBT Skills and Coaching offers 6 months of in-depth skill training to assist clients with mental health issues and barriers to success in life. Participants learn to build and use new skills to better cope with life’s challenges. Three 9-week modules, 27 sessions, closed group.
- DBT Basic Skills provides essential DBT skills in an 8-week format, while offering support and the opportunity to enhance learning through in-session coaching and group interaction.
Grief & Loss
- This is a process and skills group for individuals who are processing the loss of someone close and are not dealing with a substance use disorder or psychosis. Participants will receive the support of others and gain skills for coping with the pain of loss in a safe, nurturing, non-judgmental environment. Open group.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
- Based on the approach developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, MD; includes education, insight work and skills practice to support the integration of mindfulness into daily life. MBSR reduces anxious and depressive symptoms and supports an increased sense of wellbeing. 8-week cycle. Closed group.
Pathways to Success
- Life skills group designed to support clients seeking to increase consistency in motivation, organization, and successful implementation of routines and self-care. Includes a variety of therapeutic tools and non-pharmacological approaches to treatment to find balance and achieve personal goals, improve self-confidence and wellbeing. 8-week cycle.
SAGE (Skills / Awareness / Growth / Empowerment)
- This is an 8-week psychoeducation and process group for anyone who wants to change unhelpful patterns and develop healthier, more effective ways of responding to challenges. The group is open for the first three sessions and closes for the remaining five weeks.
Sleep Well
- CBT-i is the gold standard for treating insomnia. This group focuses on exploring the connection between the way we think, the things we do, and how we sleep. 6-week cycles.
Peer Support
- Life After DBT
- Living with Psychosis
- Women’s Empowerment
- Women-focused, peer-led group providing community, self-help skills, and recovery training to help women navigate everyday life.
- Women’s Mental Wellness
Substance Use Groups
Substance use treatment groups are designed to treat both substance use behaviors and co-occurring mental health concerns through therapy, peer support, and skills training using evidence-based curriculum. Patient needs are addressed in phases to help them establish sustained and comprehensive recovery. Phases of recovery services may include:
Intensive Outpatient
- This level of care is for individuals needing increased structure to meet their substance use treatment goals.
- Topics include
- Establishing harm reduction practices or sobriety
- Understanding addiction vs. problem use
- Building motivation for recovery
Early Recovery
- This phase of treatment is for those in early recovery; those who are still using, those who have few coping skills to handle what triggers their use.
- Topics include
- Dealing with external triggers
- Changing high risk social contacts
- Avoiding relapse/lapse vs. relapse
- Managing cravings
- Understanding addiction vs. problem use
- Building motivation for sobriety
Traditional Outpatient/Primary Recovery
- This phase of treatment is for those who have some sobriety and some tools for handling their triggers. With a small amount of recovery under their belt, these clients are ready to address co-occurring mental health or other treatment concerns.
- Topics include
- Confining lapses
- Emotional management
- Challenging thinking patterns
- Developing insight into patterns of use
- Managing anhedonia
- Distress tolerance skills
Relapse Prevention/Maintenance
- This phase of treatment is for those who have established recovery and know how to use their tools.
- Topics include
- Building healthy interpersonal relationships
- Emotional management
- Identifying core values
- Becoming a member of the community
- Setting goals based on values
- Building structure outside of systems
Peer Support
- WomEn (WE) Recover
- This peer-led addiction recovery group will provide support, resources, community, self-management skills and recovery training to help women navigate their own recovery journey.
Groups open to the community
We are excited to offer the opportunity to engage community members in preventative care, as well as increasing opportunities for individuals to start their recovery journey and to form relationships with our treatment team. For this reason, we are offering some preventative and support groups to the community at no cost to the individual.
SMART Recovery (Cortez, Delta, telehealth)
- This peer-led addiction recovery group will provide support, resources, community, self-management skills and recovery training to help individuals navigate their own recovery journey.
- SMART Cortez: Tuesday from 5-630 (drop in)
- Smart recovery virtual Tuesday 5-6 pm, self or partner referral
- SMART Delta Wednesdays 430-530pm ((drop-in))
Mental Health Connections (Norwood, Telluride)
- This group provides a safe space for support. Topics include breaking the stigma of mental health challenges, addressing boundaries and coping, developing self-worth and confidence, overcoming fear, and building community connections
Wellness Wednesday (Gunnison)
- Teen DBT skills group is a weekly group to help youth to better cope with life stressors. This group offers full spectrum of care by working alongside designated treatment providers.
Referrals
You can refer a person to groups at Axis through our Behavioral Health Referral Process: Behavioral Health Referrals – Download Form or Use Online Fillable Referral. Before starting in a group a patient will meet with a therapist for an assessment to determine the group that best fits their needs and create a goal.
Is Group Therapy Right For Me?
Group therapy can be a powerful tool for personal growth, offering shared experiences, support, and new perspectives. However, it’s not the right fit for everyone. Some individuals may benefit more from one-on-one therapy based on their unique needs or life circumstances. For example, a new mom facing postpartum challenges might find greater value in tailored, individual sessions rather than a general therapy group. In cases like these, the focus should be on finding the most effective path for personal wellness, ensuring the support aligns with the person’s specific journey.
Learn more about the effectiveness of group therapy.
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