“It can feel like we’re no longer all in this together, especially with such differences in opinion across society regarding comfort levels,” says Webb. “Resuming life as it was before can be an uncomfortable experience for those with trauma, because change is difficult and suppressed emotions tend to resurface.”
The goal of the Men’s Program is to help patients establish an internal and external sense of safety and stability. Because men often cultivate communal purpose through activities with others—something less feasible during the pandemic—the opportunity to connect with peers is one benefit of group therapy that has taken on added significance.
“The world became smaller during the pandemic, but group therapy has helped patients shift direction to connect with those facing similar struggles,” adds Webb. “We tend to look around to others to see if we’re safe. When patients have a safe space and a voice among their peers, they settle into the realization that they’re not alone and can hold energy for each other.”
Bringing Safety to the Session
That sense of safety and presence—which contributes to relational regulation—is also important for behavioral health providers to nurture and emanate, according to Webb. On a personal level, she works to achieve this via telehealth in the following ways:
Prior to each session:
- Review patient charts to bring compassion for their experience to the forefront
- Take time for a personal grounding exercise like paced breathing or mindfulness practices
- Check the surrounding environment for anything that might seem distracting
During each session:
- Breathe at an even pace, exaggerate movements or sound, or take a deep breath and sigh it out; this invites patients to mirror these stress-reducing actions
- Lead grounding exercises, such as asking patients to name five things they can see on their peers’ screens to reinforce that they are not alone
- Pause to give space for the intention behind patient input rather than quickly responding, even though silence in a virtual setting may feel more uncomfortable than in person
- Engage in movements that would likely be made in an in-person setting, such as stretching or standing up on breaks
