Group for Socially Awkward People (Weekly)
Wondering how to be yourself, but in connection with people?
You're not alone.
Many of us struggle with this. It can feel like a tightrope walk, trying to balance the need for self-expression with the desire for acceptance. We end up tongue-tied or sharing too much. Always monitoring and evaluating our every move. Maybe we're afraid of groups. We may even think we don't really like humans. But what if it were not only possible, but deeply enriching to connect with others freely, authentically, and still be welcome to be who you are?
This group offers a structured way to explore a different kind of connection experience. With elements from Authentic Relating and Emotionally-Focused Therapy, the program is shaped around experiential exercises that help us dive deeper into feeling our feelings and connecting with each other.
We will practice turning towards each person's world with an attitude of curiosity and relaxed openness. Each weekly session will be a blend of sharing with the group about our experience, meditative attunements, educational information, and structured relational activities that cultivate presence and connection.
In this small group of maximum 6 participants, we will explore emotional triggers, the role of the inner critic, the power of self-compassion and the practice of holding healthy boundaries. The invitation is not to only show up once a week, but to find ways to apply what you are learning to your everyday life. If that sounds interesting, then this group could be for you!
By the end of the twelve weeks,
- you will see who you are, from a different vantage point, and feel more confident in your authentic self
- you will have some skills to anchor yourself in a state of mature capacity when communicating with others
- you will experience more kindness on a daily basis
- you will have a greater tolerance for uncertainty
- you will feel less alone
- you will probably still feel awkward in social situations... but you will be less bothered by it!
ABOUT THE GROUP FACILITATOR:
Tate Sprite brings more freedom and connection into the world by inspiring people to be fully themselves in compassionate relationship with others - and providing an empowering environment in which this becomes possible. Tate is a former full-time socially awkward person who is now socially awkward only very part time. They are an attachment-based psychotherapist in private practice in Portland, Oregon. Before practicing therapy full-time, they spent a number of years leading Authentic Relating events and groups locally and online. To find out more, go to tatesprite.net.
Important Logistics:
This is a THERAPY GROUP, which means we follow the rules of Oregon Health Authority for mental health clients:
1. This group is free to you if your health insurance is OHP/Care Oregon. If you don't have OHP, it's offered on a sliding scale ($30-60 per session).
2. You will need to schedule an initial consultation session with Tate before being added to the group.
3. You will need to fill and sign several mental-health-related forms before participating. All information will be kept confidential.
4. The location is in an old house - there is a steep staircase with a railing, but unfortunately there is no elevator or wheelchair ramp.
WHO THIS IS FOR:
You feel shy, socially awkward, or unable to make friends very well. You want that to be different and are willing to feel some discomfort to make it different. You are not currently in an acute mental health crisis (this group would not provide enough support for that). You can commit to coming for the entire 12 weeks (it will be the same people each week, not drop-in).
WHEN:
Every Monday from January 20 to April 7, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Please arrive early so we can start promptly on time.
WHERE:
In person, at EverNew Counseling, 2223 NE 47th Ave, Portland OR 97213. Parking is free on the street.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
After you complete the initial consultation with me and if we both decide that this is a good fit, you are signed up for the whole twelve weeks. You are agreeing to pay for the whole duration. If you decide to drop out in the middle, no one else will join in your place - and someone else who might have wanted to come for the whole time will not be able to, because it's a closed group. Please think about this before committing - if you doubt that you will be able to come consistently, it may be better to sit this one out.
COVID POLICY:
This is an indoor meeting in a small office. There will be up to 7 people in the room. There will be a HEPA filter running. There is nothing structurally built into the activities that says we will come any closer than two feet of each other. There is currently no mask mandate in effect and you are not required to wear a mask, but you are welcome to wear one if you wish. I am not screening for vaccination status. If you develop covid symptoms (fever, chills, shortness of breath, cough, sore throat, or fatigue), or if you have good reason to believe that you may be infectious, please stay home and let me know as soon as you can.
FOR MORE DETAILS AND TO SIGN UP:
Read through Important Logistics above and make sure all that works for you.
Click the "Express Interest" button or email Tate by January 1, earlier if possible: hello@tatesprite.net
We will need to schedule the initial consultation and you will have to sign some forms, and it may take some time to make all of that happen. Please get in touch as soon as you know you'd like to participate!