ANNOUNCING AN INTERPERSONAL GROUP FOR ADULTS FOR CONNECTION, PERSONAL GROWTH AND WELLNESS.

New groups starting online throughout the year!

In order to help support our public health organizations and limit exposure to any illnesses particularly at this time of respiratory illness associated with the COVID-19 virus group sessions will be held online.

About:

This group is for individuals who want to understand and improve the quality of the relationships in their lives. We will use our interactions with each other to explore interpersonal patterns that interfere with intimacy and connection with others and learn new ways of relating that deepen and strengthen the relationships to themselves and to others. In an environment of safety, trust, honesty and open communication, group members will have the opportunity to examine their style of relating to others. They will learn to live in full, open, honest relationships, experience emotional and social support and learn from others regarding ways to handle interpersonal challenges.

We are currently in the process of forming new groups. Feel free to contact us below.

Pathways to Connections recognizes the cultural meanings we attach to our identities. We believe that acknowledging differences between individuals shows respect for diverse cultures, identities, beliefs and experiences. All group members have differing life experiences — making group therapy a fantastic way to hear new perspectives. Resulting in richer and more positive group experiences for everyone involved. We work from a client-centred, anti-oppressive and strength-based perspective, and are knowledgeable, experienced and affirming practitioners of LGBTQ2+ identities.

Format:

We form our groups continuously throughout the year. Groups are limited to 10 members and meets every other week for an hour and a half. The groups run from September until the start of July. Group members are asked to commit to all sessions to optimize the therapeutic benefits for everyone involved. You may be able to join one of our existing interpersonal groups if there is a spot available.

In order to ensure that this group will be helpful for you, you will participate in one individual consultation session prior to beginning the group, to assess your needs, discuss how to get most out of the group, clarify group expectations and identify your personal goals. This is also an opportunity to address any questions you may have about the group.

HAVE YOU EVER ASKED YOURSELF THESE KINDS OF QUESTIONS?

How do I make sense of other people?

How can I work most effectively with my work colleagues?

Why do I often not say what I really want to say?

I love my siblings, but…

Why do certain people in my life irritate me? … make me angry? … make me defensive? … make me envious? – for seemingly no reason?!

Why do I “over-give” in my relationships?

How is it that I know what needs to be done to fix my partner’s/family member’s/friend’s problems, but they won’t listen to me – or, they can’t seem to hear what I have to say?

Why do I often feel alone when I’m amongst my friends?

Why do some of my dearest friends make me feel inadequate, or anxious?

Why do I feel so uninspired by or confused with my relationships? Or with my own goals?

How can I change the dialogues I have within myself that keep me so ‘stuck’ and anxious?

How can I find my way (back) to my most joyful, inspired, hopeful and confident self?

Risks and Benefits of GROUP THERAPY:

“Risk - the possibility of failure or loss - cannot be avoided if the possibility of success is to have any meaning. There are risks of emotion that involve honestly and spontaneously expressing feelings, admitting fear, or professing love. There are risks of growth in giving up control, in being yourself, or in trying something that has never been attempted before. There are risks of intimacy in working through vulnerability, jealousy and trust. There are risks of autonomy in cutting off dependencies and being more responsible. And there are risks of change that involve breaking old rules, patterns, habits, and moving into the work of the unknown.”

- Jeffrey A. Kottler, Professor Emeritus, Psychotherapist, Educator and Author

Along with being a place to begin to find answers to the above questions, discover the benefits of being in a Group of people - only strangers at the beginning …

You will:

• Develop greater self-understanding and ‘grow your roots’ to become a more grounded, self-confident human being.

• Learn to address anxieties of speaking in a public space, so you can do it in the ‘real world’.

• Learn to face the fears and feelings of embarrassment about your experiences in an emotionally supportive, positive, constructive atmosphere.

• Discover that others feel similar or the same as you and develop self-compassion and more compassion for others.

• Learn how to maximize your ability to relate to others, so that you feel more connected and not so alone.

• Discover ways to communicate more effectively and build and sustain healthier relationships.

• Explore how you impact others and how others impact you.

• Begin to understand the meanings you give to your experiences.

• Learn what triggers you to be the person you DON’T like being, so that you can be the person you DO like being!

DESCRIPTION:

If you find yourself hungering for emotional truth, while trying to make sense of your thought-limiting emotions or responses to others, then a psychodynamic, relational Group, full of like-minded people, might be able to provide you with some of those answers.

Encouraged by two Group leaders, Amber and Marina, both trained and registered psychodynamic, relational, group psychotherapists, you will begin to find your true voice in a group setting designed for transformation in self-discovery and in developing stronger communication and social skills.

Group therapy is based on the idea that a great many of the difficulties that people have in their lives can be understood as problems in getting along with other people. As children, we learn ways of getting close and talking to others and ways of solving issues with others. In general, these early patterns are then applied in our adult relationships. Sometimes, these ways of relating to others are not as effective as they might be, despite our good intentions. Group offers an opportunity to learn more about these “interpersonal” patterns.

Very often, symptoms such as anxiety or unhappiness, bad feelings about ourselves, or a general sense of dissatisfaction with life, reflect the unsatisfactory state of important relationships. Group therapy is designed to help particularly with these sorts of problems.

Group Therapy is a fascinating, exciting journey into your emotional inner world that takes courage, commitment and desire to deepen your emotional truth so that you can be more fully present for your most intimate relationships.

Join us! We are excited to meet you and to share in your journey of self-discovery. As you uncover your patterns of behaviour that are triggered by others’ patterns of behaviour. As you find your way toward healthier, less anxious-ridden relationships with colleagues, bosses, friends, family, and intimate partners … and, most importantly, with yourself.

Let’s turn “poor-me” into “powerful me” all together!

FEE:

$80 per session (includes HST) payable in cash, cheque or e-transfer before each session

$40 per individual initial consultation

TIME:

EVERY-OTHER SUNDAY - 90 MINUTES

DATES:

We are currently accepting new members for group. Contact us if you are interested in joining and we will send you dates and time of the starts of the upcoming group sessions. You may even be able to join one of our existing interpersonal groups if there is a spot available.

LOCATION:

PATHWAYS TO CONNECTIONS
36 Madison Ave., Third Floor
Toronto, ON, M5R 2SR

By Appointment Only

TO REGISTER CONTACT:

When you have experienced the traumatic loss of a loved one by suicide you can feel overwhelmed, sad, angry, confused, guilty and somehow responsible. You may discover that others don’t always know what to say or how to be supportive. A suicide death is a complicated kind of grief that differs from other deaths; there is the suddenness of the death and there is often no easy answers as to why.

In the aftermath of a suicide death the support of others can help. Our group is designed for individuals who are dealing with the loss of a loved one to suicide to help them share their stores,  identify and explore their own thoughts and feelings in a safe, non-judgmental and caring space.

Suicide Loss Survivors Group can help members feel less alone and feel understood by others who have experienced a loss to suicide. Group therapy offers members the opportunity to find different pathways to connections.

You are not alone. 

FACILITATORS:

FORMAT:

This is a closed group, limited to 10 members and meets every other week for two hours. The group will run for 10 sessions - group members are asked to commit to all sessions to optimize the therapeutic benefits for everyone involved.

In order to ensure that this group will be helpful for you, you will participate in one individual consultation session prior to beginning the group, to assess your needs, discuss how to get most out of the group, clarify group expectations and identify your personal goals. This is also an opportunity to address any questions you may have about the group.

TIME:

EVERY-OTHER SUNDAY 6:00PM – 7:30PM

DATES:

1. Sunday, October 27th

2. Sunday, November 10th

3. Sunday, November 24th

4. Sunday, December 8th

5. Sunday, January 5th

6. Sunday, January 19th

7. Sunday, February 2nd

8. Sunday , February 16th

9. Sunday, March 1st

10. Sunday, March 15th

FEE:

$80 per session (includes HST) per session payable in cash, cheque or e-transfer before each session

$40 per individual assessment and group preparation session

LOCATION:

PATHWAYS TO CONNECTIONS
36 Madison Ave., Third Floor
Toronto, ON, M5R 2SR

By Appointment Only

TO REGISTER CONTACT:

AMBER SAGER, Registered Psychotherapist / Lead Group Facilitator

Phone: (647) 939-6006

Email: AmberSager@ProtonMail.com

Many people know self-loathing all too well. We stare into a mirror (or any reflective surface) and feel worthless, embarrassed, ashamed and this is our secret. Most of all, we feel angry toward ourselves for what we see. Sometimes we over-eat to cover up the shame of being seen. Sometimes we starve ourselves. Sometimes, we check our faces or bodies out compulsively and repeatedly, before we can even leave the house. One of the common factors of people with eating disorders and/or body dysmorphia, is that we are all somewhere on a spectrum of body image disturbance. It’s hard to match and feel comfortable with our body image and with what we see in the mirror.

This group is for anyone who feels they are anywhere on that spectrum. For anyone who has experienced: “I’ll accept you when…” as opposed to “I’ll accept you as you are”, by their loved ones, this group is a place for you. A place where you can come and hear about other people’s experiences and relationships with themselves and their mirrors. And eventually, with support, you will share yours.

We are more than meets the eye.

FACILITATORS:

FORMAT:

This is a closed group, limited to 10 members and meets every other week for two hours. The group will run for 10 sessions - group members are asked to commit to all sessions to optimize the therapeutic benefits for everyone involved.

In order to ensure that this group will be helpful for you, you will participate in one individual consultation session prior to beginning the group, to assess your needs, discuss how to get most out of the group, clarify group expectations and identify your personal goals. This is also an opportunity to address any questions you may have about the group.

TIME:

EVERY-OTHER SUNDAY 3:30PM – 5:00PM

DATES:

1. Sunday, October 27th

2. Sunday, November 10th

3. Sunday, November 24th

4. Sunday, December 8th

5. Sunday, January 5th

6. Sunday, January 19th

7. Sunday, February 2nd

8. Sunday , February 16th

9. Sunday, March 1st

10. Sunday, March 15th

FEE:

$80 per session (includes HST) per session payable in cash, cheque or e-transfer before each session

$40 per individual assessment and group preparation session

LOCATION:

PATHWAYS TO CONNECTIONS
36 Madison Ave., Third Floor
Toronto, ON, M5R 2SR

By Appointment Only

TO REGISTER CONTACT:

MARINA KELTON, Registered Psychotherapist / Lead Group Facilitator

Phone: (647) 688-2283

Email: MarinaKelton@ProtonMail.com

Announcing an interpersonal group for adolescents for connection, personal growth and wellness.

Description:

This 8 week program is for teens to aid in the transition from grade 8 to high school. Its small group organization will allow teens to explore topics such as organization, peer dynamics and pressures, stressors as well as self care and resilience.  We will cover the logistics of the transition to high school, the in-school supports that are generally available as well as touch on future planning. Through peer to peer participation we will explore life skills that will allow them to make informed plans and choices about their future. Our aim is to prepare students to become active members of both their larger community but also the school community.  We want to prepare them to live with uncertainty and change while they foster a belief in a promising future.

This group is for individuals who want to understand and improve the quality of the relationships in their lives. We will use our interactions with each other to explore interpersonal patterns that interfere with intimacy and connection with others and learn new ways of relating that deepen and strengthen the relationship with oneself and others. In an environment of safety, trust, honesty and open communication, group members will have the opportunity to examine their style of relating to others. They will learn to live in full, open, honest relationships, experience emotional and social support and learn from others regarding ways to handle interpersonal challenges.

Group Format:

This is a closed group, limited to 8 members and meets once per week for two hours. The group will run for 8 sessions - group members are asked to commit to all sessions to optimize the therapeutic benefits for everyone involved. The format will be divided with equal parts logistic transition information and equal parts experiential interpersonal group psychotherapy.  

In order to ensure that this group will be helpful for you, you will participate in one individual consultation session prior to beginning the group, to assess your needs, discuss how to get most out of the group, clarify group expectations and identify your personal goals. This is also an opportunity to address any questions you may have about the group.

About the Leaders:

Time: Tuesdays 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Dates:

1. Tuesday, June 11th

2. Tuesday, June 18th

3. Tuesday, June 25th

4. Tuesday, July 2nd

5. Tuesday, July 9th

6. Tuesday, July 16th

7. Tuesday, July 23rd

8. Tuesday, July 30th

Fee:

$45 per session, $360 total (includes HST) for all 8 sessions payable before the first session

$25 per individual assessment and group preparation session

 To register contact:

Jessica Francis, Education Consultant / Group Facilitator

Phone: (613) 847-3311

Email: JessicaSFrancis@Yahoo.ca

Amber Sager, Registered Psychotherapist / Group Facilitator

Phone: (647) 939-6006

Email: AmberSager@ProtonMail.com

Location:

The Mews

Unit 5, 27 Main St.,

Warkworth, ON

K0K 3K0