COMMON JOIE: Stillness Edition (SU 2023)

The groups themselves were informative, sometimes cathartic, and often required hard work – it can be exhausting to examine one’s emotions in order to make headway on the path to improvement. What made this program worthwhile for me, and why I feel so compelled to share it with the Common Joie community, is the impact it has had on my life and wellbeing–IOP, PHP, and other day programs similar to these, give time and space to heal. After a particularly intense Process group, a few of us would walk to the Starbucks nearby and grab a drink before the second group. It was a ritual that brought me a lot of joy. We would loosen up, joke around, and ready ourselves for the next group. I was able to make friends through IOP that I would likely have never encountered otherwise, and these friendships have taught me a lot about what it means to be there for someone. Sometimes, showing up is all it takes to show you care. At the Improv Group, we would start by going around in a circle one by one saying our name out loud, accompanied by an action to represent how we were feeling. Then, everyone

The individuals in the group, all of whom were also in difficult mental places, would say “Maddy,” too, and shrug back at me. There was something profound about the presence of the group. Whether old or young, depressed or anxious, from nearby or far away - these people came together and paid attention. We said each other’s names. We followed directions and played silly improv games, even if they felt embarrassing. We encouraged each other. We laughed. Ultimately, we were able to find joy and community in the simple act of play.

aren’t for everyone. For some, therapy on a weekly or bimonthly basis is more than enough. Cognitive behavioral therapy techniques like journaling, mindfulness, and cognitive restructuring prove effective. However, there is no shame in needing additional support. That’s exactly why these programs exist. If you feel yourself slipping into mental turmoil unimproved by weekly therapy, Intensive Outpatient programs are worth considering as an alternative to inpatient hospitalization.

I understand, firsthand, that navigating mental struggles can be cumbersome, but I can guarantee that you are not alone. There are people who understand what you are going through, and it’s likely that they’re closer than you think.

The groups themselves were informative, sometimes cathartic, and often required hard work – it can be exhausting to examine one’s emotions in order to make headway on the path to improvement. What made this program worthwhile for me, and why I feel so compelled to share it with the Common Joie community, is the impact it has had on my life and wellbeing–IOP, PHP, and other day programs similar to these, give time and space to heal. After a particularly intense Process group, a few of us would walk to the Starbucks nearby and grab a drink before the second group. It was a ritual that brought me a lot of joy. We would loosen up, joke around, and ready ourselves for the next group. I was able to make friends through IOP that I would likely have never encountered otherwise, and these friendships have taught me a lot about what it means to be there for someone. Sometimes, showing up is all it takes to show you care. At the Improv Group, we would start by going around in a circle one by one saying our name out loud, accompanied by an action to represent how we were feeling. Then, everyone

I was definitely nervous for my first day of the Intensive Outpatient Program that I attended in Pasadena last Fall. I was greeted by one of the employees of the Center and I was told to fill out my intake paperwork. After completing the forms, I joined the Process group, which would become a hallmark of my experience at the Center.

During Process group, individuals are encouraged to share their feelings, and accept feedback from others in the group, should they so choose.

In my first few sessions of therapy, I learned about the benefits of journaling, mindfulness, and even cognitive restructuring. As defined by Concordia University, cognitive restructuring “is a technique that has been successfully used to help people change the way they think…the goal is to replace stress-producing thoughts (cognitive distortions) with more balanced thoughts that do not produce stress.” I was able to make a lot of progress initially using this technique, alongside mindfulness meditation, and journaling. During demanding college curriculums and living on my own for the first time, I successfully replaced stress-producing thoughts with more balanced ones. There are times, however, when weekly therapy isn’t enough.

patterns can then be brought to light in regular sessions, and with honest and open communication between the patient and therapist, insights tend to emerge. One of the most popular types of therapies, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), operates on the main theory that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors all impact each other.

patterns can then be brought to light in regular sessions, and with honest and open communication between the patient and therapist, insights tend to emerge. One of the most popular types of therapies, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), operates on the main theory that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors all impact each other.

I started my therapeutic journey in 2020, at the height of the pandemic. I learned that there are many types of psychotherapy, including: psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, and integrative or holistic. Often therapists will blend elements from different approaches in order to create a treatment plan that is best suited to fit to their client’s needs.

The thoughts start to formulate and take shape in my head. How dare she ask me a question like that? What possible answer does she think I could give her? She’s my therapist, she should know about all my relationships and that the one with my body is the most sacred, yet combative and tumultuous. A toxic partner forever in my life, who is so bad for me but I am stuck with forever.

The thoughts start to formulate and take shape in my head. How dare she ask me a question like that? What possible answer does she think I could give her? She’s my therapist, she should know about all my relationships and that the one with my body is the most sacred, yet combative and tumultuous. A toxic partner forever in my life, who is so bad for me but I am stuck with forever.

Over a year later, that question still haunts me. Through all phases of my life, good and bad, I have always wondered if I look fat at any moment. During an exam, being out on the playground, walking through the park, shopping at the grocery store to pick out dessert for the night, and even while lying in a hospital bed with tubes and wires connected to all parts of my body.

While tackling the above question will require the writing of an entire book of its own, I know that the journey towards of feeling love, peace, and appreciation for my body is one that is worth it, even if I never reach the ideal and final destination unwavering peace.