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Dating with Chronic Illness

Dating with Chronic Illness

A 4-session therapist-led workshop for people living with chronic medical conditions who want to explore dating more confidently and mindfully. This group is not a mixer. It is a supportive, guided space to reflect on your experiences, manage fears of rejection or disclosure, and learn how to build healthy, meaningful connections while staying true to your needs.

Take this quick quiz to reflect on dating with a chronic condition

Start Date: Within next 3 months

4 Zoom sessions | Every Tuesday at 8:00 PM IST | 75 minutes

Confidential | Small group, 6-8 people

Group Type: Workshop

Includes 3 Free Peer Calls*

Led by Therapist

Rs. 3,000.00
Rs. 3,000.00
Early Bird Booked out
Platform fee
View full details

Who is the Group for?

  • People Living with Chronic Conditions

    For anyone managing a chronic medical condition, physical or invisible, who wants to explore dating with more clarity and confidence.

  • Those Feeling Overwhelmed or Stuck

    If dating feels exhausting, confusing, or frustrating, this space helps you find structure, understanding, and community.

  • Individuals Facing Fear or Rejection

    For people who have internalized stigma, fear being misunderstood, or struggle to trust their worth while dating.

  • Anyone Seeking Reflection and Tools (Not a Mixer)

    If you want to learn how to navigate dating emotionally and practically, not meet partners, this group helps you do that safely and thoughtfully.

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Goals of the group

• Explore how chronic illness affects your confidence and dating experiences.
• Address fears, shame, or self-doubt around intimacy and relationships.
• Learn practical ways to manage dating stress and emotional fatigue.
• Reflect on limiting beliefs that hold you back from putting yourself out there.
• Understand when and how to disclose your condition in a relationship.
• Build emotional resilience and self-acceptance.
• Learn communication and boundary-setting skills specific to dating.
• Create space for emotional connection while managing physical needs.
• Develop a personal roadmap for dating that aligns with your lifestyle and values.

Glimpse of the regime

Session 1: Navigating the Emotional Toll of Dating with a Chronic Condition

Goal: Understand how dating while managing a chronic medical condition can impact your emotional and mental well-being.

Discussion Points:
• Emotional fatigue: the psychological toll of dating with a chronic illness.
• Addressing feelings of inadequacy, frustration, and vulnerability.
• Strategies to manage stress and anxiety related to dating.
• Introduction to self-compassion, mindfulness, and coping techniques.

Session 2: Identifying Barriers and Self-Sabotage

Goal: Gain clarity on the internal and external obstacles in the dating process, and identify self-sabotaging behaviors.

Discussion Points:
• Exploring limiting beliefs related to the chronic condition (e.g., "I’m too much to handle" or "No one will understand me").
• Identifying external barriers like stigma, fatigue, or accessibility issues.
• Techniques to overcome self-sabotage and build self-acceptance.
• Making space for another person emotionally and logistically.

Session 3: Releasing Emotional Baggage

Goal: Let go of past disappointments or fears related to dating with a chronic illness and develop emotional resilience.

Discussion Points:
• Discussing past dating experiences and emotional wounds connected to your condition.
• Healing and releasing these emotional blockages through reflective exercises.
• Understanding how vulnerability can be transformed into strength.
• Crafting new, empowering dating intentions based on your current needs and reality.

Session 4: Building a Relationship Roadmap

Goal: Learn practical relationship skills and set personalized goals for healthy dating.

Discussion Points:
• Understanding healthy communication styles and relationship boundaries.
• Exploring when and how to disclose your condition in dating.
• Developing a clear, personalized dating plan and setting actionable goals.

Meet your Facilitator

Prerna Chandrashekhar Yadav

Prerna holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Batch of 2016). She began her career as a Counsellor in 2016 with iCALL - a Field Action Project of TISS and later transitioned to work in diverse roles such as Senior Counsellor, Programme Officer, and Programme Associate. As a counsellor, she has offered counselling to people from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds for challenges related to academics, career, substance abuse, interpersonal relationships, suicidal ideation, gender and sexuality, and gender-based violence. She has also overseen and led mental health programmes in collaboration with State Governments, Corporates, Seafaring Organizations, UN bodies, and educational institutions across India. She has trained health workers, youth mental health volunteers, medical professionals, HR professionals, and mental health professionals in the systemic and rights-based lens of therapy.

In February 2022, she started Raah: The Guided Path, which is an initiative offering training and supervision to postgraduate students of Psychology and mental health professionals. Since its inception, she has provided training in counselling skills, suicide prevention, grief, trauma, gender & sexuality to aspiring mental health professionals and Counselling Psychologists from India and overseas and has guided early-career therapists to address diverse mental health challenges in supervision sessions. She offers career guidance to mental health professionals by helping them prepare for interviews and identify ideal job opportunities for themselves. Additionally, she has collaborated with corporates, NGOs, and educational institutions for talks, workshops, and training on mental health and well-being.

Interested in multiple groups? Access at 60% off

What you get:

  • Unlimited Support Groups – Join any eligible group throughout the year at no extra cost.
  • Exclusive Weekly Series – Join our weekly Women/Men Unfiltered sessions on relationships, career, identity, and mental health.
  • 24 Free Peer Calls – Connect one-on-one with other members for support and shared experiences.
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FAQs

What are SoulUp Groups?

At SoulUp, you'll meet people who get what you're going through and might be living some of the same realities. People looking for extraordinary conversations, just like you.

✔️ Small group, 6-8 people

✔️ Every meeting led by a world-class facilitator

✔️ Weekly 75-minute online video sessions

How is confidentiality maintained in Groups?

Confidentiality in Support Groups is maintained using secure meeting links and enabling waiting rooms to control participant access. Participants are bound by mutual confidentiality clause within the group. and sessions are not recorded without explicit consent.

Are Group sessions done on video?

Yes, all group sessions are conducted on video via Zoom.

While participants are allowed to use pseudonyms - they need to be on video to make the most of the session.

What is SoulUp's refund policy on Groups?

1. After you have registered for the group and you'd like to opt out:
- Full refund if you cancel 30 days before the group start date.
- 50% refund if you cancel 16-30 days before the group start date.
- No refund if you cancel 0-15 days before the group start date.

2. If SoulUp cancels a group, we will refund the entire signup fee.

3. If SoulUp reschedules a group by more than 2 weeks, we will inform you and give you an option to opt out and get a full refund.

4. SoulUp reserves the right to remove participants from a group if found unsuitable to the group. In such cases participants are given the option of claiming the pro-rata amount left as a refund or using it for another service on SoulUp.

Can I use multiple discounts while signing up for a group?

You can use only 1 type discount while signing up for a group. Cash backs cannot be coupled with discounts either.

* Are FREE Peer calls available to everyone who signs-up for this group?

You can book 3 Peer calls for FREE as part of signing up for this group.

Please note: This is only available to first-time participants of a SoulUp group (those trying a SoulUp group for the first time).

How long has SoulUp been around?

SoulUp was founded in 2022 by Punita Mittal and Mahak Maheshwari - a team of IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay with more than 20 years of combined healthcare experience. SoulUp is redefining mental health through groups that are not only effective but also fun, social, and challenging.

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More about Support Groups & Therapy Groups:

1. What is an online therapy or support group?

Online therapy groups or support groups are structured, therapist-led sessions where participants gather virtually to discuss and work on specific mental health or personal growth topics.

These groups offer a supportive environment and help members learn coping strategies and relevant techniques from the therapist. Participants offer each other encouragement, share advice, and provide emotional support, helping one another feel less isolated.

2. What benefits can I expect from joining an online therapy group or support group?

Participants in online therapy groups often experience improved mental health, a greater sense of connection, and enhanced coping skills. Group therapy provides structured guidance from a therapist, which can lead to valuable insights and personal growth.

3. How does online group therapy compare to one-on-one therapy?

One-on-one therapy is personalized, focusing solely on your needs, which can be ideal for in-depth, private work with a therapist.

Online group therapy, however, offers a sense of community and shared experience. In addition to learning from the therapist, members get to connect with others facing similar challenges. Group settings provide diverse perspectives and reduce isolation, which participants find valuable.

4. Are online groups effective?

Yes, studies show that online groups can be as effective as in-person groups. The online format provides convenience and accessibility while offering the same structured therapeutic benefits, especially for those who prefer the comfort of their home environment.

5. Will I have to share my personal journey in the group?

Sharing is encouraged but never forced. Participants are free to share only what they feel comfortable with, and many find that opening up gradually is natural and helpful for their own growth.

6. How do online therapy groups or support groups handle difficult emotions that arise?

The therapist leading the group is trained to manage challenging emotions. They provide tools and strategies for coping, helping participants process feelings safely.

7. Can I attend online therapy groups if I’m already in individual therapy?

Yes, many people find that group therapy superbly complements individual therapy, providing additional insights and social support, thus accelerating their healing. Also, users often join group therapy for a topic that they are not focusing on in their individual therapy sessions. Often, therapists themselves recommend their clients to group therapy for a specific area of their life.

8. How do I know if a support group is right for me?

If you’re looking for shared experiences and emotional support rather than structured therapeutic guidance, a support group may be ideal. Otherwise, consider a therapy group for a more structured approach.

You can also join more than one group if you feel it will benefit you, especially if each group focuses on a different aspect of your mental health journey.