CME Men's Groups in San Diego. Unique Support Groups for Men
Our psychologists have facilitated men's groups for a number of years, and the experience is one in which participants treat the group as a kind of "social laboratory" in which to try out some new behaviors and ways of interacting with others.
Who are these men's groups for?
All of the members are males who are interested in working on some type of issue such as depression, anxiety, stress, relationship concerns, social isolation - and who want to get support as they do so. At CME, our groups generally consist of high functioning professionals who are experiencing concerns such as depression, anxiety, relationship stress, adjustment stress, and/or work life balance issues.
What happens in a support group meeting?
During group meetings, members work collaboratively to keep each other accountable and providing a mix of support and appropriate challenge for each other as they work toward their treatment goals. Members regularly have between-session assignments to complete including readings, worksheets, or practicing techniques covered during sessions. Showing respect for each other and maintaining other members' confidentiality are requirements to take part.
When are the meetings?
Group meeting times, days, and lengths vary – your psychologist facilitator will discuss the specifics with you, and each group consists of between 5-8 members.
How can I join a group?
Potential participants should contact us to get more specific information regarding the current availability of group seats. If you are interested, it is best to call now and check availability or get on a waiting list as needed.
Process Groups
Process Groups for Men (ongoing, every other week)
Facilitators: Dr. Jonathan Marquez, Dr. Daniel Singley
For Who? Men aged 18 and up who want to improve skills for creating and deepening relationships with others.
Enrollment: Limited to 5 to 8 members.
When and Where: Ongoing, every other week. Currently we have groups available on Mondays or Wednesdays. 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. Groups can occur either virtually or in-person, socially distanced and outside depending on what the members & facilitator are comfortable with.
Virtual participants are required to have a confidential meeting space and a good internet connection to participate.
What does the typical group meeting look like?
- "Process Groups" (aka "Interpersonal Process Groups") aim to help members gain more insight into how they show up in relationships. Many of our participants have difficulty developing new relationships and/or deepening existing ones - they might know a lot of people but not feel particularly close to anyone.
- During men’s group meetings, we address how different issues including anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, divorce, etc. impact what we do – and don’t do – in close relationships. This process involves addressing what’s happening among members during the interactions in the group. How are you reacting to the therapist or other members in the group? Are some members of the group falling into certain roles? How are people reacting to you? What is your role in the types of interactions you are having?
- Members use the group like a "social laboratory" to try out new behaviors and ways of being with other in the group so they can show up differently in relationships in their own lives. The goal is to get more personal awareness along with a new set of tools to develop better relationships.
Cost: $75 per session. Consistent commitment to attendance is required.
How can I join a group? New members may join on a rolling basis until reaching the maximum of eight participants, at which point, the facilitator begins a wait list for a separate group. Potential participants should contact us to get more specific information regarding the current availability of group seats.
Mindfulness Groups
Mindfulness Process Group for Men (Series, 8 sessions, weekly)
Facilitator: Dr. John Rettger
For Who? Men aged 18 and up interested in meditation and stress reduction strategies as well as those who want to learn skills for creating and deepening relationships with others.
Enrollment: Limited to 5 to 8 members.
When and Where:: The group will last for 8 weeks on Tuesday evenings 6:15-7:45 pm starting on May 4, 2021, or earlier if the maximum number of participants is reached. The group will be held online (unless it is safe to return to in-person meetings) on the Google Meet platform. Members are required to have a confidential meeting space and a good internet connection to participate.
What does the typical group meeting look like?
- Each meeting will include a Mindfulness Meditation and related discussion lasting approximately 20-30 minutes. The remaining time will be dedicated to group process based on topics generated by the group members.
- In this group, participants will learn meditation-based practices as well as related philosophical concepts with roots in Buddhism, Yoga, Existentialism, and Phenomenological thought as well psychotherapy traditions such as the Cognitive and Behavior therapies, and the Gottman Method.
- What is Mindfulness? - One way of defining mindfulness is that it involves a state of awareness concentrated on paying attention, in a intentional way, in the present moment, without judgement, and with compassion. It is a burgeoning discipline with applications in business, government, health care, athletics and educational settings.
- What is group process? - Our groups are designed to be a social laboratory where we assist members in learning how to engage in respectful direct communications in order to get and give feedback from each other. This style of being in the group creates growth opportunities for members to move and inspire each other toward their goals and to experiment with different behaviors with the purpose of exerting positive relationship changes outside of the group.
Cost: $75 per session. Members are expected to attended every meeting.
How can I join a group? Contact us now to reserve your space now. When the class reaches the maximum of eight participants, the facilitator will place you on a wait list to be contacted for the next series start date.