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Depression Support Group

Depression Support Group

Group Therapy focusing on exploring and healing depression through Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic practices, and compassionate self-leadership, guiding participants to release emotional burdens and strengthen their sense of self.

3 spots left!

Use this quiz to test how you react to negative emotions

Start Date: 15th March, 2025

6 Zoom sessions | Every Saturday at 11:00 AM IST | 75 minutes

Confidential | Small group, 6-8 people

Group Type: Support Group

Includes 3 Free Peer Calls*

Led by Therapist Sakshi Malhotra

Program Fee - INR 3500 (India) | USD 90 (Outside India) | Get 30% off if you buy for two

View full details

Goals of the Group

• Establish safety, group norms, and trust among members.
• Explore depression through the IFS framework and somatic tools.
• Develop compassion for parts of the self contributing to depression.
• Facilitate unburdening of emotional weights and strengthen self-leadership.
• Support participants in creating a personal plan for future self-care and healing.

Who is the group for?

This group is for individuals struggling with depression who are interested in exploring their internal systems and emotions through a structured therapeutic approach, and are open to integrating mindfulness and somatic practices into their healing journey.

Glimpse of the regime

Cluster 1: Building Foundations

Weeks 1 & 2: Orientation and Understanding Parts

Objectives:
• Establish safety and group norms.
• Introduce foundational concepts of IFS (Internal Family Systems) and somatic tools.
• Begin exploring parts related to depression.

Activities:

Week 1:
• Introductions, setting expectations, and establishing confidentiality.
• Overview of depression, IFS framework, and somatic tools.
• Group sharing of personal experiences.
• Somatic Focus: Guided grounding exercise.

Worksheet: Identifying personal depression patterns and triggers.

Week 2:

• Somatic Practice: Body scan and check-in.
• Guided IFS visualization: Meeting the part that feels the heaviness.
• Small group sharing or reflective journaling.
• Closing container exercise.

Worksheet: Exploring parts related to depression.

Cluster 2: Working with Exiles and Compassion

Week 3: Compassion for Exiles

Objectives:
• Deepen understanding of exiled parts contributing to depression.
• Build compassion and connection with these vulnerable parts.

Activities:
• Discussion: Role of exiles in depression.
• IFS Process: Guided visualization to connect with an exiled part.
• Group Reflection: Sharing insights and personal experiences.
• Somatic Practice: Self-holding or breathing techniques to ground emotions.

Worksheet: Identifying and understanding exiles in depression.

Cluster 3: Releasing Burdens and Strengthening Self

Weeks 4 & 5: Unburdening and Self-Leadership

Objectives:
• Unburden parts carrying heavy emotions.
• Strengthen connection to the Self as the system’s leader.

Activities:

Week 4:

• IFS Process: Guided exercise to explore emotional burdens and what parts need to let go.
• Somatic Practice: Techniques to release tension.
• Group discussion to share insights.
• Closing somatic practice for grounding.

Worksheet: Exploring emotional burdens carried by parts.

Week 5:

• Discussion: Characteristics of the Self (calm, curiosity, compassion).
• IFS Process: Inviting the Self to lead interactions with parts.
• Somatic Practice: Centering and embodying the Self.
• Group sharing and discussion.
• Closing with a self-compassion exercise.

Worksheet: Cultivating self-leadership.

Cluster 4: Integration and Closure

Week 6: Reflection and Future Steps

Objectives:
• Reflect on progress and celebrate growth.
• Integrate insights and create a plan for future self-support.

Activities:
• Reflective Activity: Sharing changes or insights gained over six weeks.
• Discussion: Developing a personal support plan.
• Somatic Integration Practice: Gentle stretching or grounding exercises.
• Group Ritual: Writing a letter to oneself or sharing affirmations.
• Final Mindfulness Exercise: Centering for closure.

Worksheet: Closure and moving forward.

Learn from us & from each other

  • Biggest benefit has been listening and learning about what other people are thinking

    Ketki

    Have depression since teen years

  • I just had a very emotional discussion. It was probably one of the most helpful things for me in years.

    Isha

    Mom. Navigating hormones & chronic pain.

  • I'd give it a 10 [out of 10]. I'm surprised at how vulnerable and open everyone was in the first session.

    Sujay

    Late-in-life depression & anxiety.

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Meet your Facilitator

Sakshi Malhotra

Sakshi Malhotra is a Counselling Psychologist with over 10 years of experience and the founder of PsychCentral. Her therapeutic approach is eclectic, blending trauma-focused interventions such as somatic processing, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and parts work. She actively incorporates mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and body-based healing practices in her sessions. Sakshi’s work is firmly grounded in principles that are neurodiversity-affirming, queer-affirming, and trauma-focused.

She specializes in addressing concerns related to complex trauma, narcissistic abuse, gender issues, depression and anxiety, grief, and toxic family systems. Sakshi works with individuals aged 25-60 years and offers both individual and group counseling sessions.

With an MA in Applied Psychology from the University of Delhi, South Campus, Sakshi has further enriched her expertise through certifications in treating trauma, including a Master Series on Trauma by NICABM (United States) and a program on Trauma, PTSD, and Dissociation by PESI (UK).

Sakshi is passionate about fostering healing and resilience in her clients and creating a safe, inclusive space for personal growth. When not working, she is an educator and speaker dedicated to spreading awareness about mental health and trauma-informed practices.

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.

Find multiple groups relevant? Bundle up & save!

Save on 2 Groups

What you get:

  1. Sign up for ANY 2 SoulUp groups (except for those priced INR 4000 or more)
  2. For users in India, price of 2 group pack is INR 5500 (instead of INR 7000)
  3. For users outside India, price of 2 group pack is INR 8000 (instead of INR 10,000)
  4. Valid for 6 months: Book slots in any 2 groups within 6 months once you purchase the pack.
Get for 20% off  

Save on 3 Groups

What you get:

  1. Sign up for ANY 3 SoulUp groups (except for those priced INR 4000 or more)
  2. For users in India, price of 3 group pack is INR 7500 (instead of INR 10,500)
  3. For users outside India, price of 3 group pack is INR 11,500 (instead of INR 15,000)
  4. Valid for 12 months: Book slots in any 3 groups within 12 months once you purchase the pack.
Get for 30% off  

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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.