PSYCHOTHERAPY and SUPPORT GROUPS

Fenway Health offers a variety of short- and long-term groups providing support and counseling in a number of areas. On this page, you’ll find information about:

Group Psychotherapy Program

• Short-term, skill-based therapy groups
• Longer-term therapy groups

Health Promotions groups

Violence Recovery Program groups

Group Psychotherapy Program

Fenway’s Behavioral Health Department offers a variety of short-term psychotherapy groups created specifically to help individuals who struggle with depression, anxiety or other emotions and behaviors that feel out of your control.  These groups typically run for 10 to 12 weeks and are designed to empower you with knowledge, teach you skills and offer you support so that you can feel and function better.

The Behavioral Health Department also offers a variety of longer-term psychotherapy groups as well, also designed to help you cope and function better.

Group therapy really works!  Whether longer-term or short-term in nature, group therapy is a very effective form of treatment.  Years of research prove that group therapy can be just as effective as individual therapy, and in many instances, even more effective.  Group therapy will give you the opportunity to better understand yourself, interact with and get support from peers who share similar problems, improve your interpersonal relationships and help you grow as an individual.  Our short-term, skill-based groups give you the added benefit of acquiring education and skills that will help you cope better with specific emotional and/or behavior problems.

Short-term, skill-based therapy groups

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Group for Anxiety
For anyone who struggles with anxiety, social phobia, or panic attacks, this weekly therapy group uses CBT techniques to teach members tools for decreasing anxiety and taking control of worry. A commitment to daily mood and thought tracking and relaxation practice will be required as part of the group. The group will meet for 10 sessions.  Contact Sixto Munoz, LICSW at 617-927-6270 for more information or to enroll.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Group for Depression
For anyone who struggles with depression, this weekly therapy group uses cognitive and behavioral techniques to teach members tools for decreasing depressive symptoms, and fostering a sense of empowerment. A commitment to daily mood and thought tracking and an openness to behavior modification will be required as part of the group. The group will meet for 10 sessions.  Contact James Lunderville at 617.927.6095 for more information or to enroll. 

Compulsive Sexual Behavior
For gay or bisexual men who are struggling with out of control sexual behaviors, this skilled based therapy group is designed to empower individuals with knowledge and skills, peer support, and improved motivation to make healthier choices and positive changes regarding sexual activity. Group will meet at the 1340 Street location. Contact David Todisco, LICSW at 617.927.6275 for more information.

Exploring Sexual Orientation Group
Exploring Sexual Orientation Group
This is a short-term group for people of all gender identities for exploration and/or support of different expressions of sexual orientation. It is appropriate for people who:

• may clearly be coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer  or attracted to people of all gender identities
• who may be uncertain and want to explore or better understand  their sexual orientation
• who are more certain about their sexual orientation but struggle with issues of acceptance/self disclosure with regards to work, school,  friends, family of origin and/or dating situations.

Please contact Denise Nunez at X6202 with referrals.

Substance Abuse
For those who want to break the cycle of drug or alcohol abuse, Fenway offers a variety of Substance Abuse Services, including the following groups:

• Sobriety Skills and Support Group
• Sobriety Support Group
• Relapse Prevention Group

Read more about Substance Abuse Services & groups.

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Longer-term therapy groups

Shades of Black: A Therapy Group for Gay/Bi Black Men
An ongoing psychodynamic group for gay/bi identified Black Men. This group offers a supportive, safe and confidential environment for members to share their experiences as black men who have sex with men in the “gay community” and in their community of origin. The group is intended to help members develop, integrate and consolidate their racial, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender and sexual identities. One goal of the group is to increase self-awareness, self-esteem and acceptance while decreasing isolation and internalized negative messages related to having multiple intersecting and sometimes conflicting identities. Members will have the opportunity to share their experiences of (but are not limited to):

• Coming out
• Stigma
• Dating and sex
• Interracial relationships
• Feelings of being fetishized
• Negotiating in-group cultural and ethnic similarities and differences
• Family connections and integrating religion and spirituality with one’s sexuality identity

Men’s HIV & Depression Group
A psychodynamic group for men living with HIV and diagnosed with Major Depression.  This on-going group will provide Clients a space to discuss issues relating to both diagnoses, to build social skills that promote healthy relationships, and to improve the overall health of this Client population.

Clients may be newly-diagnosed and/or longer-term survivors with HIV/AIDS.   Discussion may include issues around acceptance, disclosure, sex/relationships/intimacy, coping with chronic medical issues, and building social skills and healthy coping skills to combat depressive symptoms.   Currently recruiting men with good insight/ability to process, stability in recovery/substance use, and who are motivated to engage in a group setting.

Please contact Ben Kudler, LICSW at 617.927.6321 for more information and to arrange a screening.   The group will meet Thursday evenings.

Gay Men's Mood Disorder
An ongoing group for gay men who struggle with mood disorders such as major depression, anxiety and bipolar illness. This group offers a supportive environment for members to share and cope with life issues that are affected by living with a chronic mood disorder.

• The Tuesday daytime group meets at 1340 Boylston Street.
  Contact Aaron Price, LICSW at 617.927.6288 for more information.

• The Tuesday evening group meets at 1340 Boylston Street.
  Contact Don Farr, LICSW at 617.927.6219 for more information.

Gay Men's Intimacy
Ongoing psychotherapy groups focusing on helping members develop deeper and more intimate relationships.  Different groups meet on Monday and Thursday evenings at both 1340 Boylston and Fenway South End locations.  For more information contact Guy Croteau, LICSW at 617.927.6058 or Jennifer McLain, MD at 617.927.6232.

Seniors’ Group
Ongoing group for gay/bi men to discuss the challenges and rewards associated with aging including:  Relationships, social isolation, sexuality, developing meaningful pursuits at this phase of life, managing health & illness, and creating (or re-creating) a life with meaning.

Group meets Thursday daytime at the 1340 Boylston Street location.  Contact Don Farr, LICSW at 617.927.6219 for more information.

LGBT Mood Disorder Group
Ongoing group for people who struggle with mood disorders such as major depression, anxiety and bipolar illness. This group offers a supportive environment for members to share and cope with life issues or affected by living with a chronic mood disorder. The group is open to all people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and meets Wednesdays, daytime at the 1340 Boylston Street location.  Contact Guy R. Croteau, LICSW at 617.927.6058 for more information.

Women’s Interpersonal Group
An ongoing therapy group for lesbian, bisexual, transgender and heterosexual women to explore relationships, emotions and communication styles.  Focuses on fostering honest feedback and development of intimacy between members with the goal of interpersonal growth.

The Monday evening group meets at Fenway: South End and the Tuesday evening group meets at 1340 Boylston Street.  Contact Jennifer McLain, MD at 617.927.6232 for more information.

LGBT Cancer Support Group
Cancer can be a terrifying and lonely experience.  This weekly support group provides a safe space where LGBT people with cancer can meet others facing similar challenges, find comfort and companionship, and learn new ways to cope.  Professionally run by a female and male clinician with psycho-oncology experience.  Services will be provided at no charge to participants.   Call Joyce Collier at 617.332.5777 for more information or to join.  A collaboration of Fenway Health and Facing Cancer Together.

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Health Promotion

Fenway’s Prevention, Education and Screening Services Division offers free support groups for health promotion that are not therapy groups.  These groups are designed to provide supportive discussions, education about healthier living, and to foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie among participants

Bisexual and Bi-Curious Men's Group
A male-facilitated group for men who are bisexual or think they might be, meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month, 7-9 pm, at Fenway Health. People who want more information can call Jon at 617.927.6218 or email jvincent@fenwayhealth.org. The group is free and confidential. Sponsored by Fenway Health’s BiHealth program.  Upcoming topics include:

• January - What we do and who we are
• February - Diverse men: John Wayne and Liberace
• March - Navigating family relationships
• April - Polyamory
• May - Coming out: risk and renewal
• June - Bisexual pride
• July - Safer sex
• August- Radical self acceptance

40 & Forward
A group for gay and bi men 40 and over.  Share food and dialog with guys in the prime of their lives.

Do you find it hard to connect with people?  Not having as much fun as you used to?  Getting older often means changing the way we interact socially with others.  Everything from meeting new people to negotiating sexual safety can seem different and more difficult than when we were younger. 

Would you like to learn new skills to help with these concerns?  If so, then come join our 6-week men’s dinner group where you’ll learn tools & skills for connecting with others.  Dinner will be provided each time. The group will meet once a week for 6 weeks, for 2 hours at a time, plus once afterwards for a special event social.

New group starting soon! 

If you’re interested, call Chuck at 617.488.9720 or email 40andForward@fenwayhealth.org.

Mind/Body
This group is lead by a psychologist but isn’t a therapy group—rather the focus is on healthier lifestyles for those living with HIV.  Topics covered include: meditation, yoga, nutrition, mindfulness, relaxation and other holistic approaches that support health and wellbeing.  For more information, call Jon Vincent at 617.927.6218.

T-Supper Club: We Live in a Vibrant Culture
If you are transgender, transsexual, gender queer, gender non-conforming, a cross-dresser, or anyone who crosses mainstream society's notions of gender, Fenway Health offers a support group series, the T-Supper Club.    Topics include community building, sexual health issues, stress management, personal expression and group dialog.  The current group is full, but call Alex at 617.927.6449 for information about future groups that may be starting up.

Woven Voices: A new Creative Writing Group for HIV+ Long Term Survivors
Woven Voices is a new Creative Writing Group at Fenway Health directed by artist and AIDS long-term survivor Cletus Warren. The program was originally designed for Desert Aids Project in Palm Springs, CA. where it received great acclaim.

Participants, who are all long-term survivors of HIV/AIDS, will write excerpts of their experiences, creating a short script, which will be read to an invited audience of peers. The program raises awareness of what it’s like to live with HIV for many years. It chronicles our experiences so they are not forgotten, and educates those impacted by HIV/AIDS. Even though care has improved drastically, AIDS is not over.

The group will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 6 weeks at 11am-12:30 pm at Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, Boston. There will be a culminating Script Reading event.

The next group starts in early fall. To register, call Cletus Warren at 760.835.2492 or email cletus.warren@yahoo.com.

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Violence Recovery Program

Interpersonal violence, in any of its forms, can be a very isolating experience. For this reason, the act of giving and getting support with others with similar experiences can be a powerful part of healing. Groups also offer a chance to learn information and explore skills that can help to better cope. The groups start throughout the year, depending on enrollment. All groups are free and require an intake. The intake is a chance to discuss concerns with the group leader and determine if the group best meets your needs at this time.  For more information about the groups or to schedule an intake, please call 617.927.6250.

Trauma Education Group  
The Trauma Education Group is a free 9 week group for LGBT people who have experienced abuse, violence, or other trauma. Discussions will focus on the effects and symptoms of trauma in general, as opposed to each individual’s traumatic story or memories. If you are interested in the Trauma Education Group, contact Jessica or Kelcie in the Violence Recovery Program at 617.927.6250 or 800.834.3242.

Wounded Warriors: A Trauma Recovery Group for LGBT Veterans
Open to LGBTQ US military vets who have survived trauma in childhood, adulthood, or the military.

• Affirming of all sexual and gender identities AND veteran status
• A safe and supportive place to move forward from traumatic experience

The group starts in February at Fenway Health.  All interested please call Laura Johnson, PsyD at 781.687.2694 or Kelcie Cooke, LICSW at 617.927.6266.

Time Limited Group for Male Identified Survivors of Sexual Violence
Fenway Community Health and The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center are happy to announce a free, 12-week support group for male-identified survivors of childhood sexual abuse and adult sexual assault.

This group provides its members with a forum to discuss the impact of sexual abuse on their lives and their relationships. It also explores useful ways to cope with common challenges faced by many male-identified survivors of sexual assault. Group meetings are held in English and will likely begin in early April.

For more information contact: Jessica Newman, LMHC at: 617-927-6071

Read more about VRP support groups.