Our group counseling model has been endorsed by the World Health Organization
StrongMinds was featured in the WHO's latest report as an innovative example of a program helping to achieve widespread mental health coverage.
Group Counseling
StrongMinds America provides a safe space where group members share their experiences, learn from one another, and work through the causes of their depression in order to achieve stronger mental health. Our no-cost group counseling is facilitated by skilled, culturally competent mental health professional. We offer group counseling in English and Spanish.
Our unique approach is rooted in Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT-G), a proven group talk therapy approach that has been rigorously tested in clinical trials conducted with diverse populations in the US and around the world.
Groups consisting of 8-12 participants take place in-person or online and meet once a week for six weeks. Group facilitators help members identify the root causes and triggers of their depression and design strategies to overcome them. Since depression can be episodic and recur over time, the skills acquired through therapy have both an immediate and long-term preventative impact on members.
Our unique approach is rooted in Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT-G), a proven group talk therapy approach that has been rigorously tested in clinical trials conducted with diverse populations in the US and around the world.
Groups consisting of 8-12 participants take place in-person or online and meet once a week for six weeks. Group facilitators help members identify the root causes and triggers of their depression and design strategies to overcome them. Since depression can be episodic and recur over time, the skills acquired through therapy have both an immediate and long-term preventative impact on members.
Phases of IPT-G Therapy
Group sessions last for 6 weeks and are divided into three phases, each with distinct objectives:
Initial PhaseThis phase focuses on building trust and rapport among group members so they feel comfortable opening up with one another.
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Middle PhaseThis phase ensures that all members are actively engaged in discussion and collective problem solving. Participants learn to fully understand the symptoms and triggers of depression.
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End PhaseParticipants by now have experienced a substantial reduction in their depression symptoms. Each will make a plan to identify and mitigate triggers in the future, so that they can prevent recurring depressive episodes.
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About Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy
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Group Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT-G) is a short-term, focused, talk therapy model that emphasizes relationships as the root of – and source of recovery for – depression. The main goal of IPT-G is to improve the quality of a person’s interpersonal relationships and social functioning to help reduce depression. IPT-G is an evidence-based therapy and is recommended by the World Health Organization as a first-line depression intervention in resource-poor settings.
The Interpersonal Psychotherapy Institute recommends IPT-G because the group format is ideal for working on interpersonal problems and developing interpersonal skills with others facing similar challenges. The social interaction that occurs in the group therapy breaks "patterns of isolation and self-stigmatization" that can prolong depression. Interpersonal skills developed in group therapy may be "more transferable to a person’s social lives" than skills developed in individual therapy. |
IPT-G provides strategies to resolve problems within four key, often overlapping, areas that may trigger depression:Unresolved conflict
Unresolved, repetitious conflict with family members, significant others, friends, or co-workers . Grief and loss
Unresolved grief over the loss of a close friend or family member. Major life transitions
Significant changes such as job loss, relocating, the birth of a child, or an illness that may affect how people feel about themselves and others. Social isolation
Isolation in response to unhealthy or unfulfilling relationships, feelings of inadequacy, or guilt . |