Trauma often brings a sense of isolation, a feeling that no one else could understand. In a small, carefully led group, people discover they are not alone. Group trauma therapy combines the support of others who have lived through similar experiences with structured, evidence-based methods for processing trauma safely.

Is group therapy right for you?

Group work can be a good fit if you:

• Went through a shared event with others, such as a workplace incident, community crisis or disaster
• Feel isolated or ashamed and would benefit from hearing others’ experiences
• Want to practice coping and relationship skills with support
• Want a complement to individual therapy

Group is not right for everyone. Every participant is screened first, and some people are better served by starting with individual therapy (→ Individual Trauma Therapy).

What to expect

1. Screening. A one-on-one meeting to review your needs, readiness for group work and the right level of care.
2. Ground rules. The group agrees on safety, confidentiality, voluntary participation and clear expectations.
3. Stabilization skills. Members learn grounding, emotional regulation and distress-tolerance tools.
4. Connection. Facilitated sharing reduces isolation, always at a level each person chooses.
5. Processing. Members work through traumatic experiences at a manageable pace using the protocols below. In group EMDR, you do not need to share the details of your memory aloud.
6. Moving forward. Each member reviews progress and leaves with an individual plan for ongoing support.

Groups are small. (The group often caps at 4 to 5 participants, Hourly rate is based on the number of participants in the group)

Approaches we use

• Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (GTEP) and its adaptation for children (C-GTEP): structured group EMDR for recent or ongoing traumatic events
• Integrative Group Treatment Protocol (IGTP): group EMDR using drawing and self-administered bilateral stimulation, widely used after disasters and with children
• Sand tray therapy in a group setting (→ Sand Tray)
• Play therapy groups for children (→ Play Therapy)

Why work with Dr. Hourmanesh

As an EMDRIA Approved Consultant, Certified EMDR Therapist with training in group EMDR protocols that most therapists don’t offer. She regularly uses group protocols with families and children.  She leads groups in Farsi for the Persian-speaking community (→ About, Persian/Iranian page).

Frequently asked questions

Will I have to tell my story in front of others? No. Group EMDR protocols are designed so you can process your own memory privately while working alongside others.  

Is what I say in group kept confidential? Every member agrees to keep what is shared in the group private. Dr. Hourmanesh explains the limits of confidentiality during screening.

Can I do group and individual therapy at the same time? Yes, and for many people the combination works well.

Are there groups for children? Yes. C-GTEP and IGTP were developed for children and can be adapted by age.  

Interested in joining a group? Request a screening appointment or call (801) 441-8943 to hear about upcoming groups.