Group Therapy

Riverside Community Care expanded our offerings to include virtual group therapy during the pandemic. Some groups have returned to in-person, many still run remotely via telehealth, and some follow a hybrid model. All are facilitated by experienced Riverside clinicians. Groups are arranged below according to discussion focus:

Anxiety, Depression, Stress
Domestic Violence
Identity Groups (LGBTQIA+, men, women)
Mindfulness, Meditation, Wellness
Parenting
Substance Recovery
Special Situations
Kids, Teens, and Young Adults

If you are interested in joining a group or would like to learn more, please call the number at the end of each listing. (Please note: Due to state licensing issues, we are only able to accept participants who live in Massachusetts.)

** Indicates drop-in group

Anxiety, Depression, Stress

Anger Management

Thursday 4:00-5:00pm

Leader: Erol Zeybekoglu, PsyD

Members will learn how to monitor anger using an anger meter, identify triggers and cues, understand the cycle of aggression, utilize immediate and preventative coping strategies, develop an individualized anger control plan, and discuss anger in the family. Hybrid group – meets in-person and online. For more information, please call 617-354-2275.

Anxiety Support Group

Monday 5:00-6:00pm – or –

Wednesday 5:00-6:00pm

Leader: Michael Hinckley, MA

For those with challenges managing their anxiety, this group focuses on empowerment through education and coping skills, and through the group’s support. This is a non-judgmental, supportive, and learning environment for members to share their thoughts and feelings. For more information, please call 781-769-8670.

Coping and Conversation

Thursday, 12:00-12:45pm

Leader: Katie Mulcahy at 617-969-4925

This in-person support group focuses on helping people with severe persistent mental illness to connect and socialize with others in a structured and nurturing setting. Meets at Newton Outpatient Center. Contact Katie Mulcahy at 617-969-4925 for more information.

Stress Management

Monday 12:00-1:00pm

Leader: Erol Zeybekoglu, PsyD

A CBT-based group focused on sharing and developing coping strategies with peer support and feedback. Topics include self-care, personal emotional control, safety planning, identifying values and beliefs, and managing interpersonal relationships and boundaries. Hybrid group – meets in-person and online. For more information, please call 617-354-2275.

Domestic Violence

Please call 781-747-8889 for referrals, registration, and questions regarding any Domestic Violence group, including days and times held via Zoom. For more information about our programs, please visit our webpage.

Art and Healing
No art experience is required for this in-person group. Self-exploration and self-expression using art materials, in a safe and confidential group for survivors of intimate partner abuse. Materials provided.

Children Affected by Domestic Violence
Support groups for children of all ages, focused on handling feelings, social skill-building, and for older children, working through their experiences of intimate partner violence and family disruption.

Kids in Action: Therapy Group for Children Aged 4-8
A safe environment where children can explore their feelings and experiences and learn coping strategies.

Moving ON…Surviving and Thriving After Separation and Divorce
Confidential, non-judgmental support group.

New Beginnings Community Women’s Group
In-person group led by peers, offering mutual support, conversation, arts and crafts, and more.

Surviving and Thriving
Online support group for survivors of domestic violence.

Young Adult Women’s Support Group
For young women who were exposed to domestic abuse growing up and may be experiencing partner abuse in their own lives. The purpose of this group is to educate, explore coping skills, promote self-growth, and raise awareness to help break the cycle of abuse.

Identity Groups

LGBTQIA+ Group

Thursday 1:00-2:00pm (adults 18+)

Leader: Kara Trietsch, LCSW

For members of the LGBTQIA+ community dealing with issues related to family and relationships, identity development, past trauma, and experiences of marginalization and oppression. Group members will practice skills such as effective communication, stress management and coping techniques, self-care, and identity exploration. Online group, open to any adult who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender, non-binary, intersex, ace, or who does not exclusively identify as straight and/or cisgender. For more information, please call 617-354-2275.

LGBTQIA+ Art Therapy
Tuesday 5:00-6:00pm (projected start date September/October)
Leader: Isabelle Olsson, MA
Eight-week arts-based group to gather and explore identity and experiences of family, relationships, marginalization, self-esteem. Open to anyone age 18-30 identifying as member of LGBTQIA+ community or not exclusively heterosexual or cisgender. Hybrid – participate via Zoom or in-person at Riverside Outpatient Center, 6 Kimball Lane, Lynnfield MA. Information and registration: Isabelle Olsson, MA at iolsson@riversidecc.org or 781-531-0914. (Intake required if not currently receiving Riverside services.)

Men’s Groups

Wednesday 5:00-6:00pm

Leader: John Beck, LCSW

This ongoing support group for men focuses on relationships, health/wellness, stress management, and coping with anxiety/depression. Hybrid group – meets in-person and online. For more information, please call 617-969-4925.

Thursday 3:00pm-4:00pm
Leader: Erol Zeybekoglu, PsyD
Open discussion group providing a space for a general mental health check-in, with opportunities for interpersonal processing of affect, peer support, and feedback regarding topics related to men’s mental health care and community resources. Hybrid group – meets in-person and online. For more information, please call 617-354-2275.

Women’s Group

Monday 5:00-6:00pm

Leader: Felicia Falchuk, LICSW

This group is for young adult to middle-age women who are seeking support from other women to help manage anxiety, depression, grief and social isolation. For more information, please call 617-969-4925.

Women’s Trauma Group
Monday 2:00-3:00pm

Leader: Susan Bitensky, LICSW

This ongoing group for older women with mental illness helps develop skills for coping with anxiety, depression, family issues, past trauma, and offers opportunities to practice new skills, receive support, and socialize in a safe environment. For more information, please call 617-969-4925.

Mindfulness, Meditation, Wellness

Creating Healthy Habits
Monday, 4:00pm, 12 weeks
Leaders: SiriBrahma, CARC, CPS and Becky Tobin, RN, CSP
Your daily choices either support your well-being or sabotage you. Are your habits purposeful and effective or careless and rigid? Come join this 12-week program designed to align daily habits to our natural biorhythms rooted in the ancient wisdom of the ancient holistic science of Ayurveda. Held online and in-person at Riverside Behavioral Healthcare Center, 176 West Street, Milford MA. Contact SiriBrahma at 339-216-7712 or Becky Tobin at 978-989-8852 for information.

DBT Skills (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)

Tuesday 1:00-2:00pm (adults 18+, all genders)

Leaders: Justine Follett, LICSW and Ashley Niemiec, MS

– or –

Friday 12:00-1:00pm (womxn only)

Leaders: Ana Hernandez, LMFT and Ashley Niemiec, MS

DBT helps identify thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions that make life harder. Learn and practice DBT skills of distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. Class is currently held via zoom. For more information, please call 617-969-4925 or email aniemiec@riversidecc.org. (Please note registration closes two weeks prior to start date.)

DBT: Mindfulness
Wednesday 1:00-2:00pm, begins September 27, runs four weeks (for adults 18+, all genders)
Leader: Kara Trietsch, LCSW
This four-week series teaches skills from the mindfulness module of DBT, to help you slow down and focus on healthy coping skills when in the midst of emotional pain. These strategies can also help you stay calm and avoid engaging in negative thought patterns and impulsive behaviors. For more information, please call 617-354-2275 x4625 or email ktrietsch@riversidecc.org. (Please note registration for new enrollees closes two weeks prior to start date.)

**Mindfulness Group
Friday 1:00-2:00pm
Leader: Judi Locke, LMHC
This is a group that teaches mindfulness, chair-based yoga, breathwork, and visualization exercises designed to promote a sense of well-being. For more information, please call 617-969-4925.

Yoga for Emotional Health

Monday 6:00-7:00pm & Wednesday 12:00-1:00pm (adults 18+, all genders)
Leader: April-Emily Moorer, MHC, RYT 200hr

Therapeutic yoga allows your emotional process to be a whole-body healing experience. It is well established as a treatment modality for depression, anxiety, and PTSD. We’ll incorporate gentle yoga stretches, breathing exercises, meditation, and guided imagery in this virtual group. You’ll need a comfortable space to sit and stretch, cushion, blanket, and blocks (or substitute books). Yoga mat or experience not required. For more information, please call 617-354-2275 or email amoorer@riversidecc.org.

Substance Recovery

**Come as You Are: Recovery Group

Wednesday 3:00-4:00pm

Leader: Katie Burke, LCSW

This group is for men and women who want to address their substance use, providing support and information in a safe environment that is accepting, welcoming, and non-judgmental. For more information, please call 617-969-4925.

The Four Agreements for Recovery
Wednesday, 3:00-4:00pm (Milford and Norwood)
Leaders: SiriBrahma, CARC, CPS and Johnny Pike, RSN, CSP
This new group supporting the recovery journey meets online and in-person, alternating weeks between Riverside offices at 176 West Street, Milford, and 190 Lenox Street, Norwood. Discussion is based on the best-selling book, “The Four Agreements,” by Mexican author Don Miguel Ruiz. We will use these principles to help break old habits of shame and self-doubt in order to build a new life of self-worth, personal integrity, and accountability. Contact SiriBrahma at 339-216-7712 or Johnny at 781-915-7524 for information.

Early Recovery Group

Monday 9:30-11:00am

Leader: Erol Zeybekoglu, PsyD

This 12-week group will provide a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment to learn about addiction, why we do what we do, and take positive steps in recovery. Focusing on a different concept each week with both an educational component and interactive group process, the group is built upon the concept that small changes have big effects in our lives. Hybrid – meets in-person and online. All group members will need an outpatient intake; please submit referrals to Erol Zeybekoglu at ezeybekoglu@riversidecc.org. Call 617-354-2275 with questions.

Life Beyond Sobriety: Relapse Prevention

Tuesday 5:00-6:30pm

Facilitator: Emily Bliss, LMHC and Collin Nelson, MA

Peer support: Johnny Pike, RSN, CSP

A forum to work on empowerment by reducing shame and stigma. To register or for more information, contact Emily Bliss ebliss@riversidecc.org. (Most insurance, except Medicare, accepted.)

Parenting in Recovery

Thursday 12:00-1:30pm

Leader: Vicki Martin, LICSW and Emily Bliss, LMHC

Support group for parents in recovery with children up to 18 years old. Parents must have at least weekly contact with their child. The group will be utilizing the GROW ARC (Attachment, Regulation, and Competency) Framework, learning to regulate parent-child emotions and building resiliency in the home. The overall goal is to support caregivers in embracing their parent-child connection. For more information, please call 781-769-8670.

Special Situations

Anger Management

Thursday 4:00-5:00pm

Leader: Erol Zeybekoglu, PsyD

Clutter Treatment Group

Tuesday, 11:00am-12noon, begins September 19

Leader: Dara Concagh, LICSW, and Sara Dash, LCSW

This group will meet weekly over the course of seven months. It is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques, and will aim to encourage, support, and motivate those who struggle with clutter. Group members learn skills that inspire them to pare down and organize current belongings, as well as minimize future acquisitions. Contact 617-969-4925 ext. 5950 or dconcagh@riversidecc.org.

Hoarding Maintenance Groups

Monday 5:00-6:15pm

Leader: Jean Rossner, LMHC

Every other Friday 11:45am-1:00pm

Leader: Lori Barry-Smith, LICSW

Ongoing groups open to people who have completed the above 26-week Hoarding/Clutter Treatment Group. The purpose is to provide a supportive environment while reviewing and reinforcing the skills and techniques that help with de-cluttering at home. For more information, please call 617-969-4925.

Managing ADHD in Adulthood
Eight-week session, day and time TBD based on group members’ availability (please inquire when registering)
Leader: Sara Dash, LCSW, MEd
Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about ADHD, build skills and coping strategies, and connect with others for mutual support. Each week will focus on a different theme with room for psychoeducation, open discussion, goal setting, and questions. The group is designed for adults ages 22+ who either have a diagnosis of ADHD or experience challenges with attention and/or executive function. Please contact Sara Dash at sdash@riversidecc.org for more information.

Kids, Teens, and Young Adults

Brain Superpowers!
Wednesday 5:00pm (6 weeks)
Leader: Heather Day, LMHC
Children communicate through play and thrive in supportive environments with their peers. Through creative arts, science, and games, children in this learning environment will better understand brain health (mental health) just like they understand their physical wellness. For children approximately 7-10 years old; intake required if not currently receiving Riverside services. Email Heather Day at hday@riversidecc.org for enrollment or call 781-246-2010 x 2070 for more information.

Young Adult Group

Wednesday 7:00-8:00pm

Leader: Susan Bitensky, LICSW

This group is for people ages 20-30 who are transitioning to adulthood and dealing with issues such as independent living, relationships, work, school, time management, and self-care. For more information, please call 617-969-4925.

** Indicates drop-in group