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Dating with Chronic Illness!

Dating with Chronic Illness!

This 4-session support group is designed for individuals living with chronic illness who are navigating dating and relationships. It creates a reflective, non-judgemental space to explore the emotional and relational complexities of dating, such as disclosure, self-worth, boundaries and the fear of being misunderstood. The group aims to reduce isolation and foster a sense of shared understanding.

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

Start Date: within next 3 months

4 Zoom sessions| 75 minutes

Confidential | Small group, 6-8 people

Group Type: Workshop

Includes 3 Free Peer Calls*

Led by Therapist

Regular price Rs. 3,000.00
Regular price Sale price Rs. 3,000.00
Early Bird Booked out
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  • 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: The Emotional Load of Dating with Chronic illness

Focus: Understanding and naming the emotional impact of dating with chronic illness, while recognising shared experiences and reducing feelings of isolation.

Discussion Points:
• Emotional fatigue: the psychological toll of dating with a chronic illness.
• Addressing Fear of rejection, feeling too much or not enough
• Internalised ableism and its impact on self perception in relationships
• strategies to identify and express emotional experiences and self compassion

Session 2: Disclosure and Boundaries in Dating

Focus: To help participants explore their comfort with sharing their illness and develop a clearer understanding of boundaries.

Discussion Points:
• Exploring emotional complexity of disclosure.
• External Perception and social stigma around acceptance of illness
• The link between boundaries and self worth
• Strategies to communicate limits and self discolsure. Techniques to build self acceptance.

Session 3: Guilt, Comparison and letting go of Emotional Toll

Focus: To help participants recognise and process feelings of guilt and comparison in dating and develop emotional resilience.

Discussion Points:
• Exploring guilt around cancelled plans, limited energy or unmet expectations.
• Understanding Comparison with healthier peers
• Identifying and releasing the emotional baggage of past experiences.
• Techniques to separate past experiences from present possibilities.

Session 4: Redefining Relationships and Moving Forward

Focus: Integrating reflections and structuring a more self- aligned approach in dating.

Discussion Points:
• Understanding what supportive relationships look like and dating on your own terms
• Creating a personal dating structure
• Strategies to have more Grounding choices and permission to move away from rigid dating norms.

Meet your Facilitator

Jeni Thakkar

● Years of Experience: 6+ years
● Groups Facilitated at SoulUp: 1
● Relevant Expertise: Chronic Illness & Mental Health, Relational Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Trauma-Informed Care, Emotional Safety & Identity Work

Jeni Thakkar is a Psychotherapist based in Mumbai with over six years of experience working with individuals across diverse mental health concerns. Her work is grounded in creating safe, reflective, and collaborative spaces where people can explore their lived experiences at their own pace. She integrates trauma-informed, relational, somatic, and parts-based approaches, along with a psychosocial, systemic, and rights-based lens.

She has completed beginner-level training in Somatic Experiencing from the Somatic Experiencing International (SEI). In her clinical practice, she has worked with many individuals navigating emotional and relational challenges linked to chronic illness and identity. In the Dating with Chronic Illness group, she aims to create a supportive space where individuals feel seen, understood, and less alone as they explore themes of connection, vulnerability, disclosure, and self-compassion in relationships.

For Jeni, this work is meaningful because it helps reduce isolation and shame, offering participants a space to be witnessed and supported while making sense of their experiences at a gentle and respectful pace.

Interested in multiple groups?

If you plan to join more than one group this year, this is the most cost-effective way to do it.

  • 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.

Navigate dating with confidence!

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.