What is group therapy, exactly?

Group therapy brings a small number of people together — usually around 6 to 10 — to work through common struggles in a structured, therapist-led setting. It's not a support group, and it's not a class. It's therapy, just done in community rather than in isolation.
You'll hear other people say out loud what you've only said to yourself. That tends to matter more than most people expect.
​

How my groups work

Sessions run weekly and are hybrid — some members join in person at my office, others connect virtually from home. Both work. You get to choose what fits your life.
Between sessions, there's a short weekly practice — something small and concrete to carry into your week. Nothing overwhelming, just enough to keep the work moving between the times we meet together.
You'll also have access to an accompanying member website where you can find session resources, guides, and materials at any point. And if you're not comfortable with technology — or just prefer paper — you're always welcome to come into the office and pick up printed versions of everything. No one gets left behind because of a login.

Why group instead of individual?

                                                             Community
The people in the room become part of your support system — not just the therapist.
                                                             Shared experience
Realizing you're not the only one struggling with something is itself healing. It's hard to replicate that one-on-one.
                                                               Affordability
Group therapy is significantly more accessible than weekly individual sessions, without sacrificing real therapeutic work.

Is group therapy right for me?

Group therapy works well for people dealing with anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief, relationship patterns, or just the persistent sense that something needs to change. You don't have to have a diagnosis. You don't have to have hit a wall. You just have to be willing to show up.
Most people are nervous before their first session. That's normal. The group tends to feel much safer than people anticipate — partly because everyone in the room chose to be there too.

Upcoming Groups Forming 
Cinema Therapy Group
Cinema Therapy Group
Leigh Swanson, LPC — Virtual, Fridays 3 PM

A virtual psychotherapy group for movie lovers

Let movies help us make sense of life, together.

We'll use films old and new — and the characters who live inside them — to build psychological flexibility around relationships, anxiety, depression, and life transitions.

□ Forming now — first cohort starts September 18

Admit One — This Group
Starts
Sept 18
Format
Virtual
Meets
Fridays, 3:00 PM
Runtime
1.5 hours
Admission
$65 / session
Reel 1

What we're doing

Six processes, two movies at a time

Every two weeks, we watch two films together and sit with what they stir up. Through the lens of the characters and their arcs, we work through the six processes of psychological flexibility — the same framework at the heart of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy — so the insight has somewhere to land in your own life.

  • 01Present-moment awareness
  • 02Acceptance
  • 03Cognitive defusion
  • 04Self-as-context
  • 05Values
  • 06Committed action
Reel 2

Who this is for

Humans who are struggling with life transitions, relationships, anxiety, stress, or just feeling blah about things — and who'd rather talk it through by way of a movie than a worksheet.

Life transitions Relationships Anxiety Depression Everyday stress Movie lovers
Reel 3

How it works

Four beats, on repeat
1

Build your journal

An optional first meetup to put together the journal you'll use all group long.

2

Watch two films

A new pair of movies every two weeks — old favorites and new discoveries alike.

3

Unpack together

We meet weekly to work through the six processes via the characters and themes.

4

A packet in the mail

Every two weeks, a snail-mail packet arrives with your next films, prompts, and stickers.

Reel 4

FAQ

Will I have to turn my camera on?
No — but you probably should. Showing up on camera tends to help the group feel real.
Will I have to talk?
No — but we hope you will. This works best when everyone brings a little of themselves to it.
How much does it cost?
$65 per session.

Ready when you are.

The group is forming immediately, with the first cohort starting September 18. Reach out with any questions — or to grab your seat.

Get in Touch Text (404) 465-3439
Leigh Swanson, LPC [email protected]
www.leighswanson.com
Admit One — This Group
Starts
Sept 18
Format
Virtual
Meets
Fridays, 3:00 PM
Runtime
1.5 hours
Admission
$65 / session
Cinema Therapy Group — a psychotherapy group led by Leigh Swanson, LPC
Unstuck: An Anxiety Masterclass for Adults 
An advanced, 12-week intensive to help you stop fighting your mind, unhook from worry, and become an expert at psychological flexibility.
​Fridays at 3:00 pm 
Starting Oct 2, 2026  - Holiday weeks may be skipped.
​Hybrid Group 10 max participants. 3 in person in the office and 7 virtual. 
$65.00 A session. You must pay even if you miss the session. 

Week 1: The Anxiety Trap Understand how your mind creates suffering and discover the true cognitive triggers behind your anxiety.
Week 2: The Cost of Overthinking Examine how attempting to suppress, avoid, or control your thoughts actually keeps you stuck in the worry cycle.
Week 3: Navigating Uncertainty Build your tolerance for the unknown and learn mindfulness skills, like "dropping anchor," to ground yourself in the present moment.
Week 4: Unhooking from Thoughts Master the art of defusion by stepping back to observe your anxious thoughts without letting them push you around.
Week 5: Challenging the "Need" to Worry Put your worries on trial and dismantle the belief that overthinking keeps you safe, motivated, or prepared.
Week 6: Dropping the Struggle End the exhausting war with your own nervous system and practice making room for uncomfortable internal experiences.
Week 7: Facing the "What Ifs" Safely process your deepest hypothetical fears through imaginal exposure, taking the power out of worst-case scenarios.
Week 8: The Observing Self Cultivate a safe, detached mental space where you can observe your anxiety without letting it define who you are.
Week 9: Clarifying Your Values Shift your focus away from fighting anxiety and toward identifying the core values that make your life rich, full, and meaningful.
Week 10: Purposeful Problem-Solving Learn concrete problem-solving skills to tackle real-life challenges and take committed, values-guided action toward your goals.
Week 11: Overcoming Roadblocks Anticipate future barriers and develop proactive strategies to stay on track when old habits and fears try to pull you back.
​Week 12: Moving Forward Consolidate your new skills to maintain lifelong psychological flexibility and create a personalized resilience plan
The Mechanics of OCD: A 12-Week Treatment 
An Inference-Based CBT Deep Dive into the Obsessional Mind - Understanding is the path to overcoming OCD. 
Tuesdays at 6:00pm - 7:30pm 
​Sept 25, 2026 - Holiday weeks may be skipped.
​Hybrid Group 10 max participants. 3 in person in the office and 7 virtual. 
$65.00 A session. You must pay even if you miss the session. 

Week 1: When OCD Begins (The Obsessional Sequence)
Week 2: The Logic Behind OCD
Week 3: The Obsessional Story
Week 4: The Vulnerable Self-Theme (Feared Possible Self)
Week 5: OCD is 100% Imaginary
Week 6: Possibility is Irrelevant
Week 7: The OCD Bubble
Week 8: Reality Sensing
Week 9: The Alternative Story (A Different Story)
Week 10: Tricks of the OCD Con Artist (Tricks & Cheats)
Week 11: The Real Self
Week 12: Moving On and Preventing Relapse

Text or email for more information. 
‪(404) 465-3439‬
[email protected]