This donation-based, weekly event is intended to broaden access to those seeking inner resourcing and psychological healing from an Internal Family Systems (IFS) approach, which is a model that focuses on creating inner harmony. All are welcome who wish to deepen their inner healing.
Self-Acceptance
Online Mindfulness Group for Teens
The Online Mindfulness Group for Teens will be an 8-week online skills-based group for high-school-aged teens targeted toward those with an interest in developing mindfulness skills. We’ll cover a number of topics, including:
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introductory mindfulness skills
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skills for navigating intense emotions
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befriending boredom
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understanding defenses
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managing social media, substance and alcohol use
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self-acceptance, self-compassion
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relationships
This group welcomes clients across gender, sexuality and neurodiversity spectrums. The facilitators are committed to the continual pursuit of culturally responsive care.
This group is run by Jeremy Prillwitz LAADC and Darcy Dittrich AMFT.
Darcy Dittrich
My Approach
I endeavor to bring warmth, awareness, and connection to my sessions. I co-create a unique healing experience with clients, often using humor and creativity to encourage mindfulness, self-compassion, and change. I believe firmly that healing is non-linear, and absolutely that it is possible. My colleagues have described me as “compassionate, deep-feeling, inquisitive and intuitive.” My clients have described me as “warm, accepting, and caring.”
I tend to work from a blend of humanistic, relational, and psychodynamic lenses, which means I work to help clients gain clearer insight into their lives, identities, and relationships while holding that each person is a unique, valuable being. We’ll look at patterns that have shown up again and again in your life by gaining a deeper understanding of your emotions, thoughts, early-life experiences and beliefs. Once we can see these patterns clearly is when we can begin to approach the change you’d like to see. We’ll also focus on your relationships, values, and autonomy. I borrow techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Self Compassion, and Motivational Interviewing. You may or may not be familiar with these theories and terms, and ultimately you probably don’t need to be! Once we establish your goals, we’ll develop a treatment plan with what’s best for you.
I pursue antiracism, feminism, Harm Reduction, Health at Every Size (HAES), LGBTQ+ allyship and disability justice. I am trauma-informed. I encourage the discussion of intersectional identity. If you’re not sure what that means, let’s talk about it!
About Me
I earned my Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from The Wright Institute in Berkeley. I completed my Clinical Internship at SF AIDS Foundation’s Stonewall Project, a counseling program dedicated to providing Harm Reduction-based substance use and mental health treatment to gay, bi and trans men who have sex with men (MSM) who are interested in addressing their drug or alcohol use. I have specific clinical experience working with anxiety, depression, substance and alcohol use, sex and sexuality, career coaching, identity, trauma, and relationships. I have a deep understanding of multicultural relationships, work stress, life transitions, blended families, performing arts, chronic pain, and intuitive eating.
Prior to beginning a career in counseling, I worked at tech startups and Fortune 500 corporations for a decade. This helped me develop a strong sense of professionalism, and also exposed me to the pressures of our modern working world. I’ve witnessed the impacts of stress, burnout, and discrimination. Supporting my colleagues in their struggles deepened my interest in pursuing a career helping others with healing and growth.
I grew up in the Northeast, and have also lived in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, plus a brief time in Rome. I love exploring and learning about new cultures, but California has been my home since 2010. My favorite things to do include: walking, hiking, dancing, yoga, listening to music, painting, singing at the top of my lungs, cooking, baking bread, meditating and taking naps.
Mindful Eating Workshop
Want satisfaction from your eating experience? This 6 week workshop is for individuals who want to reduce guilt and judgment of their eating habits and begin to develop a pleasant eating experience. Bring a snack/meal and virtually join Jamie Marchetti, LGPC and Registered Dietitian for 6 weekly sessions. You will learn how to: Improve Nutrient Absorption; Identify Body Cues; Cope With Emotions Without Food and So Much More!
++This is a virtual event occurring Thursdays 12-1pm EST
Playful Process Group
Each session of this ongoing process group begins with a guided playful somatic exercise. The playful body-based experience is intended to help participants connect with themselves and each other more deeply during the process group.
This group requires an initial 3 month commitment.
This group will be offered online until it is safe to be in-person again.
Would you like to…
Feel more connected to yourself and others?
Gain insight into how others experience you?
Practice new ways of being in authentic relationship?
Give and receive support?
Why Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a powerful way to learn more about yourself and heal through relationship. Groups are a microcosm of the real world. Group is therefore a space where members can explore and work on interpersonal issues. Through group relationships, members explore their habitual patterns of connecting and have an opportunity to practice new, more constructive ways of authentically relating. The changes that occur in group can then translate into one’s relationships outside the group.
Who is Group Therapy For?
Generally, people come to group therapy to work on improving their relationships. Some of the specific issues that bring people to group include:
-Anxiety, social anxiety, and depression
-Struggling in friendships and/or romantic relationships
-Feeling isolated from others
-Difficulty managing or expressing anger
-Feeling disconnected from one’s own emotions
-Shame, perfectionism, self-criticism, or fears of other’s judgments
What Happens in a Process Group?
In a group session, members do their best to express their thoughts and feelings as freely as possible. Talking about issues outside the group, such as jobs, family, relationships, etc… is important and valuable. However, it is by expressing the feelings and thoughts which group members experience in the moment towards other group members (including the leader) that provide some of the richest sources of learning. It is through the relationships within the group that members have the unique opportunity to experiment with new ways of connecting and develop more satisfying relationships inside and outside of group.
My Experience As A Group Therapist
I bring a variety of experience to leading groups. Over the past 13 years, I have led support groups for individuals with eating disorders, DBT skills groups, as well as support groups for long-term HIV+ survivors. For the past five years, I have led groups that combine process group and improvisational theater. I am a graduate of The Psychotherapy Institute’s Group Therapy Training Program. I have also facilitated multiple workshops at the annual conferences of both The American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA) and the Northern California Group Psychotherapy Society (NCGPS).
More Information
Please contact me directly at 415-828-4563 or e-mail eliz.ehren@gmail.com if you are interested in group therapy. You can also click here to schedule a free 15-20 minute phone consultation to discuss your interest.
Teen Empowerment Group
For teens who are survivors of violence, sexual abuse, neglect, bullying, school or community violence, parental substance abuse, who have witnessed violence in their home, or have experienced any other child maltreatment.
This group focuses on self-esteem building, healthy relationships, gaining a sense of community and skills for growth, and helping teens access their own strength and courage to claim a healthy and positive future.
Parents, the reality of teen trauma is painful and overwhelming. Figuring out how to begin the healing process can be confusing. You want to protect your teen and ensure their safety and happiness. When you see your child suffering, it hurts.
We understand, and we are here to help.
Any of this sound familiar in regards to your teen:
– Anxiety or worry
– Falling grades
– Persistent sadness, lack of energy, changes in sleep or appetite, withdrawing from normal activities, or feeling “down”
– Changes in self-care, such as paying less attention to hygiene, appearance, or fashion than they usually do
Our Teen Empowerment Group is hands down the best way to help your teen:
– Understanding of the symptoms of trauma to support self-regulation
– Develop greater understanding of themselves and their needs in a safe and supportive community so that they can set self-directed boundaries
– Experience mindfulness-based practices to induce and deepen relaxation
– Increase self-compassion in order to reduce self-criticism and self-blame
We are here to help your teen engage in the body and mind through arts based expression in order to heal and re-connect with joy and purpose.
NEXT Step? Email our office to schedule a brief phone chat with leaders Melissa or Megan. We would be delighted to answer any questions you have about the group. We look forward to hearing from you!
Expressive arts is an evidence based practice that provides practical tools for healing and emotional growth. Some art modalities we will use include; drawing, painting, collage, mixed media and digital art or photography. No experience or skill with art making is necessary to benefit from art therapy.
Lara Willing
Everything comes down to our relationships with ourselves and others. I would love to help you find the connection that you are yearning for with your inner self and with the outside world.
LGBTQ+ Youth Art Therapy Group
The Creative Spirit has always thrived fierce and free within the colorful hearts of the LGBTQ+ community! This inclusive, Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed, 8-week group empowers participants to connect with self-discovery, and celebrate the healing power of Creativity. This is a safe space to grow, heal and share your vibrant, inner world with other LGBTQ+ youth from our community. All mediums welcome including creative writing, slam-poetry, painting, collage, dance, comedy, drag performance, photography, culinary arts, music, etc.