Some of the most powerful moments in therapy do not happen between a client and a therapist. They happen between two people who look across a room and realize, for the first time, that someone else truly understands what they have been going through. Group therapy offers something that individual sessions, by their nature, cannot: the experience of genuine human connection with others who share your struggles, your questions, and your desire to change.
At Old Town Psychology, our psychologist-led therapy groups in Alexandria provide a structured, confidential, and deeply supportive environment for meaningful growth. We have immediate openings, so you can get started without a lengthy wait.
What Is Group Therapy?
Group therapy is a structured form of psychotherapy in which a small number of people meet regularly under the guidance of a trained therapist to work toward shared or complementary goals. It is not a support group, a drop-in class, or an informal gathering. Group therapy at Old Town Psychology is a clinically structured experience, led by one of our licensed psychologists, grounded in evidence-based approaches, and designed to produce real, lasting change.
What makes group therapy uniquely powerful is the therapeutic value of the group itself. Hearing how others navigate the same fears, patterns, or life circumstances you are facing can shift your perspective in ways that no amount of individual reflection can replicate. Seeing someone else make progress gives you evidence that change is possible. Being witnessed by others, and witnessing them in return, builds the kind of connection and accountability that accelerates growth. The group becomes both a mirror and a source of support.
Group therapy is also a more accessible entry point for people who are ready to do meaningful therapeutic work but are not yet ready for, or do not currently need, the intensity of individual sessions. That said, it can stand on its own as a primary form of treatment or complement individual therapy already underway.
Who Is Group Therapy For?
Group therapy is a strong fit for anyone who wants structured, professional support in a setting that offers both expert guidance and the added dimension of shared human experience. You do not need to be in individual therapy to join one of our groups. Each group is open to anyone who meets the criteria for that particular program.
Group therapy tends to be especially valuable for people who:
- Feel isolated in their struggles and want to connect with others who genuinely understand
- Are ready to work on a specific challenge in a focused format
- Are curious about therapy but find the one-on-one format intimidating as a first step
- Are already in individual therapy and want to deepen their progress through peer connection and group accountability
- Learn well from other people’s experiences and perspectives, not just their own
The only prerequisite is a genuine commitment to the process: to show up consistently, engage openly, and respect the confidentiality of every person in the room.
Conditions Group Therapy Can Help With
Group therapy is an effective treatment for a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges. At Old Town Psychology, our groups address concerns including:
- Anxiety, including generalized worry, social anxiety, and performance anxiety
- Depression and persistent low mood
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Stress and burnout, including work-related exhaustion, caregiver fatigue, and life transitions
- Relationship issues and patterns that show up across different kinds of relationships
- Self-esteem and confidence challenges
- Grief and loss
- Life transitions, including career changes, divorce, relocation, and major identity shifts
- Social skills and interpersonal effectiveness
- Parenting challenges and the emotional demands of raising children
Because our groups are organized around specific themes or treatment goals, participants benefit from working alongside people who are facing genuinely similar challenges rather than sitting in a room with people whose needs have little in common.
As a full-lifespan, one-stop practice, Old Town Psychology offers individual therapy, psychological assessments, and specialized treatment programs alongside our groups, so if your needs extend beyond what a group can address, everything you need is available under one roof.
What Does Group Therapy Look Like?
Our groups are carefully designed to be both clinically rigorous and genuinely welcoming. Here is what you can expect:
- Small, cohesive groups: Each group includes between five and ten participants; small enough that every person is seen and heard, large enough to generate the diversity of perspective that makes group work valuable.
- Therapist-led sessions: Every group at Old Town Psychology is facilitated by one of our licensed psychologists. This is not a peer support circle. It is a professionally guided therapeutic experience with clinical structure, evidence-based content, and skilled facilitation.
- A consistent cohort: Everyone in the group begins together and moves through the program together. This cohort model, rather than a rolling drop-in format, is intentional. It allows real trust and genuine connection to develop over time, which is what makes group therapy effective.
- Focused, time-limited programming: Sessions run 60 to 90 minutes and meet weekly over a period of six to eight weeks. The time-limited format creates focus and momentum, giving participants a clear arc of progress rather than an open-ended commitment.
- Strict confidentiality: Confidentiality is a non-negotiable ground rule of every group we run. What is shared in the room stays in the room for every participant, without exception. This foundation of trust is what allows people to be honest, take risks, and do the kind of work that actually changes things.
Joining a group can feel like a significant step, particularly if you are not accustomed to sharing personal experiences with people you do not know. Our therapists create an environment that makes that step feel safe and one where openness is respected and genuinely reciprocated.
"We brought our daughter in for testing and the OTP team was amazing. They were so kind, caring and great with children. My daughter is shy and takes a little time to warm up when first meeting someone new. The Doctor was patient and encouraging and my daughter had a wonderful time. They also provide fast results and meet with you to explain everything in the report. I would definitely recommend them."
"Very prompt response to our inquiry. Welcoming environment and very professional, thorough communication. The staff genuinely seems to care that your needs are met."
"Excellent service, knowledgeable staff, incredible responsiveness, diligence and follow through -- we feel lucky we found such a great therapy practice. We cannot recommend them highly enough!"
“My daughter took WISC-V test there and we are very pleased with our experience. They are professional, patient and wonderful throughout the entire process. My daughter had such a great time that she hardly felt that was a test - she even asked when she could take it again. I would highly recommend them to whoever needs child IQ testing services.”
“I took my children here for TAG testing. Both of my kids actually enjoyed their assessments. I was very pleased with the time and care taken to assess my children, the thoroughness of the report, and the fact that there was a follow-up session to discuss any questions that I had relative to the assessment included. Also-- the tea selection in the waiting room is top tier :)”
“Very prompt response to our inquiry. Welcoming environment and very professional, thorough communication. The staff genuinely seems to care that your needs are met.”
Take the Next Step
You do not have to navigate your challenges alone, and you do not have to wait months for professional support. At Old Town Psychology, we maintain immediate availability for our therapy groups and are actively forming new ones. While many practices in the area have lengthy waitlists, we are ready to connect you with the right group now.
To learn about our current group offerings or to schedule an individual consultation to discuss whether group therapy is the right fit for you, contact us today.
