Therapy Groups

NOTICE: This group has ended. Dr. Steiner is actively looking for similar groups and colleagues to refer to.

What follows is a description of what the group offered in the past:

This group is a safe place to:

Increase your understanding of your reactions to your limitations
Learn new ways to get your needs met
Improve your self-confidence and self-esteem
Discover the gift of compassion for yourself

About this group:

Isolation and depression are common side-effects of chronic pain, visible and invisible illnesses.This supportive psychotherapy group addressed issues of hidden disabilities and chronic pain. Belonging to a group helps members make the most of life with limitations and add more compassion for themselves and others. This kind of group was designed for people who wanted to freely discuss their experiences and frustrations with others who face similar physical challenges. This warm group was a safe place for members to learn how to reduce the ways in which pain and physical limitations get in the way of leading a fuller life.

About the group leader:

Ann Steiner, Ph.D., M.F.T., CGP, (Certified Group Psychotherapist), has been leading psychotherapy groups for 30 years, supervises, trains and provides consultation to therapists. She is a licensed marriage family therapist in private practice. She is a Fellow of the American Group Psychotherapy Association, Co-Chair of the American Group Psychotherapy Association's Health and Medical Issues Special Interest Group, a founding member of the American Orthopsychiatric Association's Disability Study Group and the National Registry of Group Psychotherapists, and was president of Northern California Group Psychotherapy Society.

Dr. Steiner served as an Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of California Medical School, San Francisco for fourteen years, and is on the faculty of The Psychotherapy Institute's Group Therapy Training Program. She lectures at professional meetings nationally and locally, and publishes articles for consumers and therapists.

Note: Dr. Steiner's groups were designed for individuals who either have been in, or were currently in psychotherapy, not in crisis, and are motivated to change. There are many groups that are designed to help people who are in crisis or who have different needs. For more information about short-term and other kinds of groups, see the Healing Power of Groups and Group Therapy Referral Resources.

For Further Information

For referrals to therapy groups led by other therapists free to call Dr. Steiner at (925) 962-0060 or send a short email to DrSteiner@DrSteiner.com, with the words Group Referral Request in the subjectline, along with your phone number, and a variety of times when it would be convenient for her to return your call.