Support Groups - Ventura Co., CA

Therapist led support groups are ongoing year round and address issues such as: Anxiety, Depression, Divorce, Life Transitions, Loss. Feeling: overwhelmed, frustrated, angry. Self esteem, social isolation, aging issues plus so much more.

Group Days & Times Currently Available

** Wednesday mornings 10 am - 11:15am (Camarillo)
** Wed 11:30 am - 12:45 pm (Camarillo) Newly Added as of 9/19/11**
** Tuesday evenings 6:15 pm - 7:30 pm (Ventura)

Individual, couples and family appointments also available

Are your reactions leaving you feel bad, pushing others away? Are you struggling to get a good nights sleep? Can't stop thinking about things? Help is a phone call away.

Angry Management for Everyday People:. Groups offered 2x a year (January & July), otherwise individual anger help available year round

**Offices in Camarillo (Near Wood Ranch) and Ventura (near the Pacific View Mall)**

An assessment is required prior to joining any group, schedule yours: (805) 204-7315

Ashley Bretting, M.S. Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Lic# MFC48978

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Insurance handled on a reimbursement (to you) basis. Clients pay up front and submit, where approved, a statement at the end of the month to their health insurance for reimbursement, call your insurance co. to inquire if they offer this.

Individual Therapy Benefits:

Provides you support
The entire session is focused on you
Appointments arranged around YOUR own schedule
Excellent for crisis management
Beneficial as an addition to group, as needed

Group Therapy Benefits:

Provides you with a support system ( which we all need )
Receive peer feed back and support ( for a variety of input )
Receive professional feedback and support
Fee is generally less than individual sessions
Truly see that your struggles are shared by others, learn from their experiences, share some of your own success.

Support groups are generally led by a professional and help people cope with difficult situations and are usually geared toward alleviating the group members symptoms.

Group therapy focuses on interpersonal relationships, helping individuals learn how to better get along with other people while also providing a support network generally geared toward specific issues or challenges. Groups are generally facilitated by a specially trained professional. Group therapy is different from a support group in that it not only helps people cope with their problems, but also serves as a healing vehicle for change and growth.

With special training, I am able to provide a unique take on support groups where I incorporate both group therapy and support group dynamics all in one!

Online Q&A Excerpt - This was a while back, when I was still under intern status, here is how the forum was started:

Group Therapy - Pick a Topic!
There are nearly 60 of us here now, and more joining every week. Let's start a discussion....who wants to go first?

Anyone having any interesting therapy group experiences lately? Please share as we could all benefit from each other's vast expertise.
Linda

1.
Ashley Bretting, M.S.
PreLicensed Psychotherapist at Morbrook Institute

OK I'll go - I have a wonderful Monday Night Men's Group. These guys are amazing in their willingness to be completely open and share feelings, struggles, etc. Additionally, when I delve into my psych-edu mode a flurry of note taking, questions and thoughtful reflections emerge.

This is so very fulfilling on many levels and I never fail to learn something new from my clients nearly every day. Truly blessed to be able to do the kind of work I do!

2.
Bernie Rupe
Executive Director at Chicago Voyagers

Can you tell us more about the guys backgrounds (why are they in the group) and what you have done intentially to create such a great group?

3.
Ashley Bretting, M.S.
PreLicensed Psychotherapist at Morbrook Institute

In response to Bernie:

The Men's group is the result of an evolutionary process stemming from a coed anxiety & depression group, I had been facilitating. A couple of the men at some point asked if there was or ever would be a group just for men. Within a few weeks, the Men's group was underway.

From time to time the group focuses for a few weeks on Anger, and is marketed as such. Prior to, during and following the anger series (anger is what gets the attention of men who otherwise might tend to shy away from therapy or a group setting) is when many realize that their anger is a result of hurt, fear, poor self esteem and a myriad of other feelings worth working on.

I have had a few published articles on anger management, locally. The most recent just came out this month.

In summary, men come for a variety of reason from dealing with depression, divorce, panic attacks, etc. to being asked to come for the anger issues by a partner/ spouse or even a work supervisor.

Since each member is a valuable being and treated as such with unconditional positive regard, the environment is safe, healing and simply amazing. Thank you so much for asking. I hope this answers some of your questions, if not ask more :)

What does a "closed" group mean?

A closed group is an indicator that, there is a specific start date where individuals can join and an end date. Individuals would not be able to join after the start date ( example of what it might look like: Anger Management Group January 31, 2010 - March 18, 2010 )

What does an "open" group mean?

An open group indicates that an individual may join at any time, there are no specific start and end dates for the group. ( example of what it might look like: Depression Support Group Wednesday's 4:30 - 5:30 pm ) Note that there are no start or ending dates.

There are groups that are peer led and groups that are professionally facilitated. What is the difference?

A peer support group is is led by a non-trained person or persons

A professionally facilitated therapeutic support group is conducted by a trained therapist or therapist intern. These types of groups are able to provide therapeutic support and intervention.