WOAR provides free, trauma informed therapy services to people of all ages living in Philadelphia who have experienced sexual violence, regardless of when the trauma occurred. Whether the trauma occurred last month or 30 years ago, WOAR works with everyone.
To access group therapy services for the first time, please call or text our 24-Hour Hotline 215-985-3333 and tell them you want to participate in group therapy.
WOAR strives to offer a variety of groups to meet client needs related to identity, gender, age and/or modality interests. We have both open and closed groups:
Open Groups or Drop-In Groups
Open groups or drop-in groups are those in which new people can join any week with no waitlist. These groups are psychoeducation based with structured discussion and a focus on coping tools. Trauma narratives are not discussed.
An intake is not required to participate, but we do ask that you call our hotline at 215-985-3333 to register and obtain the appropriate zoom link or group participation details.
Closed Groups
Closed groups are typically capped at 8-12 participants who begin a group therapy cycle at the same time to preserve confidentiality and build a sense of trust between the survivors in the group.
Closed group cycles are offered quarterly and the types of groups that are offered are determined based on client interest and therapist availability.
Closed group cycles typically begin in January, April, July and October and last for about 8-11 weeks per cycle. You must complete an intake and consent paperwork to participate in a closed group.
Please call our hotline at 215-985-3333 to inquire about closed groups and initiate the intake process. Please indicate whether you are interested in only group services or both individual therapy and group services.
Some closed groups such as Trauma Yoga Processing Group require individual trauma therapy while in group to support processing. Individual trauma therapy does not need to be through WOAR.
Groups are offered based on client interest and therapist availability. Once you have completed either a group intake or individual intake and you are recommended for group, it can take on average, 3-8 months to be offered a spot in group.
Supportive Group Therapy Offered at WOAR (Closed Groups)
Foundational groups: Women+, Men+, LGBTQ+ and Teen group cover set topics as well as topics chosen by group members. Topics may be explored through psychoeducation, discussion, worksheets, as well as art-based activities.
Set topics may include:
- Intersectionality relevant to identities in group
- Coping and self-care
- Psychoeducation on trauma and sexual violence
- Trauma and the brain
- Building support networks
Topics chosen by the group have included but are not limited to:
- Hypervigilance and fear
- Emotional identification and expression
- Self-compassion and self-esteem
- Boundaries and healthy relationships
- Navigating intimacy and consent
- Guilt, shame and self-blame
Foundational Groups
WOMEN + *
Survivors who are 18 or older who are cis or trans women, or nonbinary folks who feel a women’s group would benefit them.
MEN +
Survivors who are 18 and older who are cis or trans men, or nonbinary folks who feel a men’s group would benefit them.
LGBTQIA +
Survivors who are 18 or older who identify within the LGBTQIA+ community.
TEEN
Survivors who are 14 to 17 who have experienced sexual harm.
*Most often is comprised of female-identifying clients but may include male-identifying clients or non-binary clients.
Building Blocks and Stepping Stones Group
Both Building Blocks and Stepping Stones groups are for child survivors of sexual abuse and one non-offending caregiver. Building Block is for ages 3-6 and Stepping Stones is for ages 6-12.
The goal is to provide an opportunity for children to learn about their body and safe touch in addition to exploring their feelings pertaining to the abuse and their relationships with their support system. Caregivers are given the opportunity to learn skills, support their child and express their feelings about the abuse in a supportive adult space with other caregivers.
Trauma Processing Yoga Group (TPYG)
*To participate in this group, you must be engaged in individual trauma therapy, either at WOAR or elsewhere.
This group is for adult survivors of any gender who are interested in processing their trauma through yoga practice. Trauma Processing Yoga Group runs in 2 cycles. You must complete a cycle before moving to the next. Trauma Processing Yoga Group uses the intersection of research, mindfulness, and yoga to address healing from sexual violence. We use a combination of these 5 tenants to support healing:
- Movement
- Routine
- Social Connections
- Consistent, Kind, Compassionate, Soothing Words
- Expressions
The goal of Trauma Processing Yoga Group is to significantly reduce post traumatic stress (PTSD), address neurological, physiological, and emotional changes that result from adverse experiences and empower clients through establishing choice.
Additional Groups
WOAR may also offer these additional groups based on client interest and facilitator availability. If you are interested in any of these groups or would like to see a group that is not listed, please reach out to our hotline at 215-985-3333. Additional groups may include:
- Music Therapy
Closed group for adult survivors of any gender that centers music as a modality for processing emotions and feelings related to trauma. Group members may process through use of instruments, song writing, music listening, movement, and more! No music experience or skill required. - Women of Color Survivors
Closed group offering for adult women of color sexual assault survivors who may benefit from processing in a WOC focused space. - Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
Closed group offering for adults of any gender who are survivors of sexual assault who may benefit from processing among other survivors of child sexual abuse.
CORE Psychoeducational Group
Core Group is an open, drop-in, psychoeducational group for survivors 18 and older. This group uses evidence-based therapeutic interventions for survivors to provide knowledge and support to help you better understand and cope with trauma. It combines the elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, and education.
Sessions may be led by interns, education, outreach or crisis staff (not therapists). Facilitators are all sexual assault counseling trained. Core runs for 10-week cycles with a break week in between. Each week we cover a different topic related to trauma and healing. You can choose to attend every week, or you can pick the sessions that sound helpful to you.
Core group is not a trauma processing group. We will not be sharing details of the trauma. This is a space to talk through common emotions after trauma, build new coping skills, develop healthy boundaries, and more. It’s a great space for self-reflection and learning with others.
Core group is offered via Zoom. If you would like to join or have questions, please call our hotline at (215) 985-3333.
CORE Group Sessions and Topics
Session 1: Understanding Sexual Violence and Common Responses to Trauma
Session 2: Coping Skills & Self-Care
Session 3: Feeling Identification & Expression
Session 4: Self-Esteem
Session 5: Healthy Boundaries
Session 6: Dealing with Difficult Emotions -Anger
Session 7: Dealing with Difficult Emotions -Guilt and Self-Blame
Session 8: Assertiveness Skill Building
Session 9: Support Networks
Session 10: Relaxation Techniques – Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)
WOAR provides group counseling in person and virtual. Survivors seeking to begin group therapy can access services by calling or texting WOAR’s 24-hour hotline at (215) 985-3333 and tell them you want to participate in group therapy.
