For many people, getting support can feel difficult. Some people are waiting for individual therapy. Others are unsure whether they need therapy, want to learn practical tools, or simply want to feel less alone. Groups can help meet these needs by offering a safe, structured, and lower-barrier way to receive support.

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Groups are an important part of a stepped-care approach. Stepped care means offering the right level of support at the right time. Not everyone needs the same type of care. Some people benefit from a workshop, group, meditation practice, or guided therapeutic exercise. Others may need individual therapy, occupational therapy, medical care, or more specialized support.

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This approach is consistent with the work of Yuen, Arcuri, Cornish, and Stewart, who describe the importance of broadening mental health care beyond one-to-one therapy alone. Their chapter on stepped care and wait times highlights the value of accessible options such as workshops, groups, guided self-help, peer support, and other “one-to-many” services that can help people receive meaningful support sooner (Yuen et al., 2021).  

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At Vivago, this means groups are not an “extra” or a second-best option. They are a central part of how we make care more available, more flexible, and more responsive to different needs.

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Why group therapy and support groups can help

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Group therapy and support groups can be helpful because they combine professional guidance with human connection. Many people feel isolated in their struggles. A group can help participants realize that they are not alone.

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In a group, participants may:

• feel understood and less isolated;

• learn practical coping tools;

• hear different perspectives;

• build confidence;

• practice communication and boundaries;

• develop emotional awareness;

• learn from others’ experiences;

• feel supported in a structured and respectful space.

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Research supports group therapy as an effective form of care. The American Psychological Association has noted that decades of research show group therapy can be as effective as individual therapy for many concerns, including depression, social anxiety, and other difficulties.   A 25-year meta-analysis also found that, when comparable treatments are studied, group and individual therapy can produce broadly equivalent outcomes across multiple conditions (Burlingame et al., 2016).  

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This matters for accessibility. Group therapy allows more people to receive care, while still offering professional structure, evidence-informed tools, and a meaningful therapeutic experience. The American Psychological Association has also described group therapy as both effective and efficient, especially in a context where many people face barriers to timely mental health care.  

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Who are our groups for?

Our groups may be helpful for adults who want support with:

• stress;

• anxiety or worry;

• low mood;

• burnout;

• grief or loss;

• loneliness or isolation;

• emotional regulation;

• life transitions;

• self-confidence;

• relationships;

• chronic pain or health-related adjustment;

• caregiver stress;

• trauma-related symptoms, when the group is appropriate;

• personal growth;

• learning meditation, self-regulation, or therapeutic hypnosis.

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A group may be a good fit if you want to learn tools, feel connected, understand yourself better, or receive support in a setting that is guided by a regulated professional.

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Groups are not one-size-fits-all. Some people may benefit from a group on its own. Others may benefit from combining a group with individual therapy, occupational therapy, psychotherapy, psychology, medical care, or other services.

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Meditation Group — All Levels Welcome

What is meditation?

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Our meditation group is open to all levels, including people who are completely new to meditation and people who already have experience.

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Meditation is a practice that helps people slow down, pay attention, and become more aware of what is happening in the present moment. This may include noticing the breath, the body, thoughts, emotions, sounds, or sensations.

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Meditation is not about “emptying the mind” or forcing yourself to relax. It is about learning how to notice your experience with more patience, curiosity, and kindness.

In our meditation group, participants may practice:

• breathing exercises;

• body awareness;

• mindfulness;

• grounding;

• gentle attention training;

• self-compassion;

• relaxation;

• observing thoughts without getting caught in them;

• returning attention to the present moment.

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What are the benefits of meditation?

Meditation may help support:

• stress reduction;

• emotional regulation;

• relaxation;

• focus and attention;

• self-awareness;

• self-compassion;

• coping with anxiety;

• sleep routines;

• nervous system regulation;

• a greater sense of calm and connection.

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Research on mindfulness and meditation suggests that mindfulness-based programs can improve mental health outcomes, including stress, anxiety, depression symptoms, and overall well-being, particularly when compared with no intervention (Galante et al., 2021).   Reviews of mindfulness-based approaches also suggest benefits for anxiety and depressive symptoms, while recognizing that meditation is not a cure-all and may not be the best fit for every person or every situation.  

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At Vivago, meditation is offered in a grounded, accessible way. You do not need to sit perfectly still. You do not need to have a “clear mind.” You do not need previous experience. The goal is to practice in a way that is gentle, respectful, and useful in daily life.

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What to expect in the meditation group

A meditation group may include a brief welcome, an explanation of the practice, a guided meditation, quiet reflection, and optional discussion. Participants are invited to go at their own pace.

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You may sit on a chair, use supports for comfort, keep your eyes open or closed, and adapt the practice to your needs. The group leader will offer guidance, but there is no pressure to perform or share personal information.

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Therapeutic Hypnosis Group

What is therapeutic hypnosis?

Our therapeutic hypnosis group is designed to help participants learn about hypnosis in a safe, professional, and therapeutic setting.

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Therapeutic hypnosis, also called clinical hypnosis, is a guided practice that uses focused attention, relaxation, imagery, and therapeutic suggestions to support change. The American Psychological Association’s Division 30 defines hypnosis as a state involving focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness, with an increased ability to respond to suggestion (Elkins et al., 2015).  

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In simpler terms, hypnosis is a focused state of attention. It may feel similar to being deeply absorbed in a book, music, a memory, meditation, or a creative activity. You are focused, but still aware.

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Therapeutic hypnosis may support:

• stress management;

• anxiety reduction;

• emotional regulation;

• relaxation;

• confidence;

• pain coping;

• sleep routines;

• habit change;

• self-awareness;

• mind-body connection;

• personal growth.

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The research on clinical hypnosis is strongest in some areas and still developing in others. Reviews and meta-analyses have found evidence supporting hypnosis for concerns such as pain, emotional distress, procedure-related distress, and irritable bowel syndrome, while also noting that study quality varies depending on the condition and research design.   Hypnosis has also been studied for pain relief, with systematic review evidence suggesting that it can reduce pain in controlled studies and may be useful as an adjunct to standard care (Thompson et al., 2019).   Group-delivered hypnotherapy has also been studied in irritable bowel syndrome, with one review finding that group hypnotherapy can be effective under certain delivery conditions.  

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Is therapeutic hypnosis the same as stage hypnosis?

No. Therapeutic hypnosis is not stage hypnosis.

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Many people have seen hypnosis on television, in comedy shows, or in large rooms where people are invited to do strange or silly things. That is entertainment. It is designed to make an audience laugh or be surprised.

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Therapeutic hypnosis is different. It is not a show. It is not a performance. It is not about control, embarrassment, or making anyone act against their values.

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In our therapeutic hypnosis group:

• you will not be asked to do silly or embarrassing things;

• you will not be made to reveal private information;

• you will not lose control;

• you will not be unconscious;

• you will not be forced to accept suggestions;

• you can open your eyes, move, speak, pause, or stop at any time;

• you remain in charge of your participation.

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Professional clinical hypnosis is used within a therapeutic context by trained professionals. The focus is on safety, consent, respect, and well-being. The American Psychiatric Association recognizes hypnosis as a clinical procedure when used by properly trained professionals, and professional hypnosis organizations emphasize ethical use within one’s scope of practice.  

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What to expect in the therapeutic hypnosis group

A therapeutic hypnosis group at Fondation Vivago, in collaboration with Clinique Vivago, is structured, respectful, and professionally led.

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A session may include:

1. Welcome and orientation
The group leader explains the purpose of the session, what hypnosis is, and what participants can expect.

2. Consent and choice
Participants are reminded that they are in control. You can participate at your own pace.

3. Grounding and relaxation
The group may begin with breathing, grounding, or body awareness.

4. Guided hypnosis practice
The leader may guide participants through relaxation, imagery, focused attention, or calming suggestions.

5. Therapeutic suggestions
Suggestions may focus on calm, confidence, coping, self-compassion, emotional regulation, pain coping, or other therapeutic goals.

6. Return to ordinary awareness
The leader guides participants back to regular alertness.

7. Optional reflection
There may be time for quiet reflection, journaling, or optional sharing. No one is required to share personal details.

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The goal is not to perform hypnosis “correctly.” The goal is to learn a safe practice that may help you understand your mind-body connection and develop tools for daily life.

Led by regulated professionals

All of our groups are led by people from regulated health and mental health professions. This may include:

• psychologists;

• psychotherapists;

• occupational therapists;

• other qualified regulated professionals.

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This is important because regulated professionals are accountable to professional standards, confidentiality rules, ethical practice, and their professional order or regulatory body.

Insurance receipts available

Receipts for insurance purposes can be provided when applicable. Participants are encouraged to verify their coverage with their insurance provider, as reimbursement depends on the plan, the service, and the professional designation of the group leader.

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References

Best Practices in Canadian Higher Education. (2020). Transitioning to remote health and wellness services in post-secondary settings: A case study approach. Toronto, ON: Author.  

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Burlingame, G. M., Seebeck, J. D., Janis, R. A., Whitcomb, K. E., Barkowski, S., Rosendahl, J., & Strauss, B. (2016). Outcome differences between individual and group formats when identical and nonidentical treatments, patients, and doses are compared: A 25-year meta-analytic perspective. Psychotherapy, 53(4), 446–461. DOI: 10.1037/pst0000090.

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Elkins, G. R., Barabasz, A. F., Council, J. R., & Spiegel, D. (2015). Advancing research and practice: The revised APA Division 30 definition of hypnosis. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 57(4), 378–385.

 

Galante, J., Friedrich, C., Dawson, A. F., Modrego-Alarcón, M., Gebbing, P., Delgado-Suárez, I., Gupta, R., Dean, L., Dalgleish, T., White, I. R., & Jones, P. B. (2021). Mindfulness-based programmes for mental health promotion in adults in nonclinical settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. PLOS Medicine, 18(1), e1003481. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003481.

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Thompson, T., Terhune, D. B., Oram, C., Sharangparni, J., Rouf, R., Solmi, M., Veronese, N., & Stubbs, B. (2019). The effectiveness of hypnosis for pain relief: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 85 controlled experimental trials. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 99, 298–310.

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Yuen, S. A., Arcuri, G., Cornish, P., & Stewart, D. W. (2021). What are we waiting for? Addressing wait times in post-secondary student mental health care. In Zangeneh, Nouroozifar, & Chou (Eds.), Post-secondary education student mental health: A global perspective (Chapter 25).