Group Therapy
Psychodynamic Process Group
in Hermosa Beach
Individual therapy gives you the opportunity to look closely at your own experience. Group therapy adds something different: the opportunity to see how you relate to other people in real time and to hear how your words and actions are experienced by others.
Reach out to learn more: info@reginaabayev.com
The Group
A group can bring patterns into view that are difficult to recognize on your own. You may notice how you respond to conflict, how comfortable you are being vulnerable, how you handle feedback, or what happens when you feel misunderstood or challenged.
The group also gives you the opportunity to practice doing things differently with other people. For many clients, that experience adds a dimension to individual therapy that is difficult to create in a one-to-one setting.
This is a closed psychodynamic process group. The same people meet together over time, allowing the group to develop trust and honesty.
The group is not a support group. It is not psychoeducation. It is not a place to receive advice from other members.
It is a live laboratory for understanding yourself in relationship:
How you show up.
What you trigger in others.
What others trigger in you.
The patterns you bring into relationships become visible in real time. You have the opportunity to examine those patterns as they happen and try something different.
The work is raw, honest, and deeply relational. What happens in the group is held in confidence.
What to expect
Relational focus
We’ll explore how you relate to others in the group, providing insights into your relationships outside of the group.
Process-oriented
The group will focus on the process of interaction rather than specific content or advice-giving.
Here and now emphasis
We’ll pay close attention to what’s happening in the present moment during each session.
Open and honest communication
Group members are encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings openly and honestly.
Feedback and reflection
You’ll have the opportunity to give and receive feedback, building self-awareness and growth.
Radical self-awareness
Through honest self-reflection and feedback from others, develop a deeper understanding of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Facilitators
As facilitators, our role is to guide the group process, help members explore their interactions, and ensure a safe and productive environment. We will participate actively in the group, but the primary focus will be on the interactions and relationships among the members.
"Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable."
— David Augsburger
Are you looking to
Improve your relationships?
Gain a deeper understanding of yourself?
Learn how you relate to others?
Break free from unhelpful patterns?
Experience a safe and supportive space to explore your feelings?
Group details
Meeting time
Wednesdays, 6:15 PM to 7:45 PM
Session length
90 minutes
Group size
10 to 11 members
Location
2309 Pacific Coast Hwy, Suite 207, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Cost
$125 per session, payable monthly and in advance based on the number of sessions occurring in each month
Commitment
One-year commitment requested; one month’s notice and attendance of 3 group sessions are required for termination
Screening
A one-time individual intake session ($275) is required to determine fit for the group
The Group Facilitators
The group is co-led by Regina Abayev, JD, LMFT, and Dr. Michael Collins, a psychologist who has practiced in the South Bay for more than 25 years. We bring different professional backgrounds and complementary perspectives to the group, with a shared focus on thoughtful, direct work and meaningful engagement with the people in the room.
Regina Abayev, JD, LMFT #148775
Dr. Michael Collins, PsyD, PSY20415
Group Therapy FAQ
What is psychodynamic group therapy?
Psychodynamic group therapy is a form of therapy that focuses on how you relate to other people and the patterns that shape those relationships. Rather than focusing only on what happened in the past, we pay attention to what happens between group members in the room. This can make certain patterns easier to see and work with.
What is a process group?
A process group is a therapy group focused on what is happening within the group itself. Members talk about their experiences, relationships, reactions, and concerns, while the therapists help the group examine what is happening between people in real time.
How is group therapy different from individual therapy?
Individual therapy gives you the privacy and attention of working one-on-one with a therapist. Group therapy gives you the opportunity to see how you relate to other people as those interactions are happening. You receive feedback, notice your own reactions, and have the opportunity to work on relationship patterns in real time.
Is this a support group?
No. This is a closed psychodynamic process group. It is not a support group, educational group, or peer-advice group. The focus is on understanding yourself and your relationships through the interactions that take place in the group.
What does “closed group” mean?
A closed group means the same members meet together over an established period of time. New members do not join on a drop-in basis. This structure allows the group to develop familiarity and trust and gives members time to do more substantial work together.
Who is group therapy for?
This group is for adults who want to understand themselves more clearly in the context of their relationships. It may be a good fit for someone who wants to examine patterns in relationships, communication, conflict, intimacy, boundaries, or vulnerability and is interested in doing that work with other people.
What happens during a group therapy session?
There is no set agenda or lesson. Members bring what is relevant to them, and the therapists help the group explore what is happening. The conversation may focus on something happening in a member’s life or on an interaction that is unfolding within the group.
Will other group members give me advice?
No. The group is not structured around members giving one another advice. Instead, members are encouraged to talk about their own reactions and experiences. The therapists help the group understand what is happening and keep the work focused.
Is group therapy confidential?
Group members are expected to respect the privacy of everyone in the group and not discuss what other members share outside the group. The therapists also maintain professional confidentiality within the limits of applicable law and professional obligations. Confidentiality in a group setting is different from confidentiality in individual therapy, and we discuss those expectations before someone joins.
Can group therapy help with relationship problems?
It can. Group therapy provides an opportunity to look at how you communicate, respond to conflict, handle closeness and distance, receive feedback, and navigate differences with other people. The group setting can make relationship patterns more visible than they are in individual therapy.
Can I participate in group therapy while seeing an individual therapist?
Yes, in some cases. Group therapy can complement individual therapy by giving you an opportunity to work on interpersonal patterns in a live setting. We can discuss whether adding a group makes sense for you.
Where is group therapy offered?
The group is offered in Hermosa Beach, California, and is available to adults in the South Bay and surrounding Los Angeles areas, depending on the group and its current composition.
How often does the group meet?
The group meets on a regular schedule. Since this is a closed process group, members are expected to make an ongoing commitment to participation rather than attending individual sessions on a drop-in basis.
How do I know if psychodynamic group therapy is right for me?
We begin with a conversation about what brings you to therapy, what you want to work on, and what you are looking for from a group. Group therapy is not the right fit for everyone, and part of the process is determining whether this particular group makes sense for you.
How do I join a group therapy program in Hermosa Beach?
Contact me to discuss the group, your goals, and whether there is a current opening. New members are considered individually rather than admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Joining the group
There’s space for one person in the group right now. If you’d like to join, email info@reginaabayev.com or call (323) 646-6263. We’ll set up the intake session and talk about whether the group is a fit.
