An 8-Week Group Therapy Journey
There’s a part of you that longs to be seen, understood, and accepted in all your complexity. Maybe you’ve tried to find this space in your everyday life, but it’s been hard to connect deeply or feel truly understood. Maybe you've felt alone in your pain, stuck in familiar patterns, or afraid to let others in.
This is your invitation to something different.
This 8-week support group is designed to help you find that deeper connection, both with yourself and with others. This group is a unique opportunity to explore your inner world, confront the stories that keep you stuck, and experience the profound healing that comes from being fully witnessed by others who are on their own path of growth. This isn't just therapy; it's an invitation to step into a brave space where transformation can happen.
You’ll see how you might shy away from deeper conversations, engage in people-pleasing, use defenses to keep others at a distance, or fear intimacy and vulnerability. These patterns, often invisible in daily life, become clear in the group setting.
Here, you'll have a unique opportunity to explore and challenge these tendencies in a supportive environment. The group acts as a safe space to practice staying present with discomfort and reaching out for support when you would typically withdraw.
By seeing and challenging your patterns, you can begin to relate from a place of truth and authenticity, both with others and yourself.
So many of us carry wounds from our past during times when we were shamed, rejected, or made to feel small. These experiences often teach us to hide parts of ourselves or to relate in ways that feel safe but aren’t authentic. In this group, you’ll have the chance to confront these old patterns as they come up in real time. Through honest feedback, support, taking small or big risks, and the willingness to be seen, you’ll begin to reshape how you relate to others and yourself, creating new possibilities for intimacy and connection.
In group therapy, we dare to step outside of our comfort zones, to let down our guards, and to be witnessed in our full truth. Vulnerability is the path to connection—it’s where the healing begins. Here, you’ll learn to own your story, speak your truth, and embrace all the parts of yourself, even the ones you’ve kept hidden. As Yalom says, “If we climb high enough, we will reach a height from which tragedy ceases to look tragic.” Sharing your story can transform it from a source of shame to one of strength.
Many of us fear rejection or judgment if we show our true selves. In group therapy, we create a unique environment where empathy, acceptance, and authenticity are at the forefront. This is a space to feel the relief that comes when you realize that your worst fears often do not come true. As you open up, you may discover that others are not only willing to accept you but are deeply moved and enriched by your courage. This can provide a powerful corrective emotional experience—a new relational pattern that helps heal old wounds.
Each session will help you uncover patterns in your relationships that you may not even be aware of. As Yalom points out, “The power of the group lies in its ability to help us understand how we affect and are affected by others.” The group becomes a mirror, reflecting back who you are in relation to others. You’ll gain insight into your blind spots, understand your emotional triggers, and experiment with new ways of relating in a safe environment. Over time, this can help you develop more adaptive ways of being in the world.
Many of us go through life yearning for connection but feeling afraid to take the risks necessary to create it. In this group, you’ll learn to be more present, to listen deeply, and to engage more authentically. You’ll find others who understand what it’s like to feel alone or disconnected and who are willing to stand with you as you build deeper, more meaningful relationships.
This group is designed for those who are seeking meaningful change and connection in their lives. Whether you’re grappling with specific issues or simply feeling stuck, this group offers a supportive and dynamic environment to explore and address a variety of concerns.
Here’s a closer look at some of the reasons you want to join:
Are you struggling with feelings of isolation, depression, sadness, fear, or uncertainty? Do you sometimes feel like you’re carrying a heavy burden alone, or that no one truly understands what you’re going through? This group is a space for those who are ready to face their pain and seek genuine connection. It’s for those who are tired of feeling alone and are ready to take a brave step towards healing.
Have you ever felt misunderstood or disconnected in your relationships? If you’re battling with repeated patterns of conflict, loneliness, or difficulty connecting with others, this group can help. It’s a place to explore why these patterns keep recurring, practice new ways of relating, and find comfort in knowing that others are grappling with similar issues. Whether you're navigating difficulties in romantic relationships, family dynamics, or friendships, this group provides a space to understand and improve your relational patterns. You’ll have the chance to practice new ways of communicating, setting boundaries, and resolving conflicts. This is especially valuable if you find yourself repeating the same patterns or struggling with intimacy and connection.
Trauma and past hurts can feel like shadows that follow you everywhere. If old wounds are affecting your present life and relationships, this group provides a compassionate space to face those shadows. By sharing your experiences and receiving support, you’ll start to make sense of your past and find a path toward healing. By sharing your story and receiving support, you can begin to process old wounds, challenge harmful beliefs, and build healthier ways of relating to yourself and others.
Even if you’re not facing specific emotional issues, you might feel a deep desire for personal growth and self-improvement. This group is for those who are ready to dive into self-discovery, enhance their emotional intelligence, and explore their personal patterns. It’s a space to reflect on your life’s direction, understand your core values, and cultivate a more authentic self.
If you feel disconnected from others or are struggling to build meaningful relationships, this group provides an opportunity to forge new, supportive connections. Being part of a group allows you to experience mutual support and empathy, helping you to build and nurture relationships that are grounded in understanding and respect.nnection but feeling afraid to take the risks necessary to create it. In this group, you’ll learn to be more present, to listen deeply, and to engage more authentically. You’ll find others who understand what it’s like to feel alone or disconnected and who are willing to stand with you as you build deeper, more meaningful relationships.
This group is for those who are ready to engage deeply in the therapeutic process. It requires a commitment to attending sessions regularly, participating actively, and being open to giving and receiving feedback. If you’re prepared to challenge yourself and embrace vulnerability, you’ll find this group to be a transformative experience.
Facilitated by Leanne Sawchuk, an experienced Psychotherapist and group facilitator, this group provides professional guidance in a structured format. If you’re looking for a therapeutic environment led by a skilled professional who can offer insights support, and isn't afraid to dig in, then this group combines expert facilitation with the collective wisdom of the group members.
(soo... what exactly are we doing?)
Opening Grounding and Check-In: We begin each session by creating a container for safety and presence. We’ll do a grounding exercise to help you arrive fully in the space, followed by a brief check-in where each member shares what’s present for them in that moment—emotionally, physically, and mentally. This helps us to start each session grounded in honesty and openness.
Here-and-Now Exploration: This is the heart of the group work. We focus on the "here-and-now," allowing whatever needs to surface to emerge. We will encourage you to speak from your experience, share your emotional reactions, and explore the interpersonal dynamics that arise in real-time. For example, you may wish to speak about what is bothering you, a recent challenge you are navigating, or anything else that is present for you. This process helps us to practice being more authentic and confront the relational patterns that play out in the room.
Facilitated Dialogue and Feedback: Throughout the session, you’ll have opportunities to receive feedback from others and give feedback in turn. You’ll learn how to express your needs, set boundaries, and handle conflict constructively. The group facilitator/therapist will guide this process, providing support and encouraging you to explore deeper layers of your experience.
Closing and Reflection: We end each session by reflecting on what was most meaningful, challenging, or surprising about the work. This is a time to integrate the insights you’ve gained and think about how you might apply them outside the group. You’ll leave with new perspectives, new ways of relating, and a deeper understanding of yourself.
Logistics
Duration: 8 Weeks
When: Starting October 1st (Tuesday's, 7-9 PM) and ending on December 3rd.
(*the group will not meet on November 5th and 19th)
Where: 276 Frederick Street, Kitchener
Investment: $575 for the 8-week series (covered under most insurance plans—please check with your provider!)
Registration Deadline: September 23rd
Group Size:
To maintain an intimate and effective group dynamic, we are limiting the group is limited to 6-9 participants. This ensures everyone has space to share and receive meaningful feedback.
Confidentiality:
Everything shared within the group stays within the group. This is a foundational agreement to create a safe space where everyone feels free to open up.
Preparation and Expectations:
It is encoruaged that participants come with an open mind and a willingness to engage in honest self-reflection. It’s common to feel nervous at first—most people do. However, the more you lean into the discomfort and participate, the more you’ll get out of the group. Attendance at each session is crucial for both your own experience and the group’s cohesion, though it is understood that life happens and you may not be able to attend all 8 of the group sessions.
Insurance Coverage:
This group is covered under most extended health insurance plans. Check with your provider to confirm coverage for group therapy facilitated by a registered therapist. You will be provided with any necessary documentation or receipts to assist with your insurance claim.
A Note About Investment
Investing in yourself in this way can feel both daunting and hopeful. At $575 for the 8-week program, the cost has been set to be accessible while recognizing the deep, impactful work that group therapy entails. Remember, this is an investment in your emotional well-being, your relationships, and your ability to connect deeply with others.
If you’re feeling drawn to this, it’s for a reason. This could be the beginning of a profound, life-changing journey. Reach out by September 23rd to register or to ask any questions.
Spaces are limited to keep the group intimate and focused, so don't wait too long.
Let’s do this together. Let’s create a new story—one of healing, growth, and genuine connection.
Leanne Sawchuk is an Integrative Psychotherapist and Intuitive Healer who specializes in helping people untangle themselves from the stories, sensations, and patterns that diminish their inner peace.
Leveraging her expertise in clinical psychology, mindfulness-based techniques, and energy work, she guides her clients to the root cause of their anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, grief, addiction, self-sabotage, and more – where they can begin to separate themselves from the narratives that perpetuate inner unrest, unhealthy patterns, and relational dysfunction.
Leanne’s therapeutic process is designed to help her patients reshape their identities so they can live freely, fully, and openly. She believes that past hurt, pain, and trauma do not need to be a life sentence and that every human has the capacity to heal and find aliveness on the other side.
She has a Masters in Psychology, and post-degree training in Relational Psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing, and Trauma & Attachment. More than any credentials or training, she is a human first and therapist second – and that is what makes her a star in the realm of psychotherapy and inner transformation.