Jimmy Barker
Experiential Therapy Aimed At Inner Freedom and Authentic Living
In-Person in Atwater Village, Los Angeles
DEPTH-ORIENTED GROUP THERAPY
Being seen in the presence of others, without performing, fixing or hiding
I lead weekly, in-person interpersonal process groups for adults in Atwater Village, Los Angeles.
Why Group?
Much of what we struggle with takes shape in relationships. We long to be close and hide what we need. We want to be seen, and keep watch on how we come across. We assume people are judging us, or find ourselves feeling left out, competitive, protective, angry, drawn to someone, or unsure where we belong.
Individual therapy lets us understand these patterns. In a group, they can unfold with people who can tell you how they actually experience you, and whom you can answer in turn. The group becomes both a mirror and a container, offering the feedback, resonance, and rupture and repair that individual therapy can't always reach on its own.
What actually happens?
In group therapy, you're sitting in a room with six or seven other people. And over time, the ways you tend to relate to other people begin to show up.
Maybe you find yourself taking care of everybody else, but rarely letting anybody know what's happening for you.
Maybe you feel left out, even though nobody has deliberately excluded you.
Maybe you find yourself wanting somebody's approval, or feeling irritated with someone, or becoming anxious about how you're being perceived.
These aren't things we're just talking about having happened somewhere else.
They're happening right there, in the room, between us.
And that gives us an opportunity to slow things down, get curious about what's happening, and perhaps try something different.
You might tell somebody you're angry with them, rather than withdrawing.
You might let yourself be seen when you're feeling vulnerable, rather than pretending you're fine.
You might discover that another person experiences you quite differently from how you imagine.