Fenway Health’s Behavioral Health (BH) Department would like to share some updates about the way we are able to care for the important needs of our community.
As noted in a recent Boston Globe article, there is a long wait for primary health care and health services throughout the state. This is the result of extremely high demand – fueled in no small part by the COVID-19 pandemic – coupled with a shortage of medical and behavioral health clinicians.
Fenway Health has been significantly impacted by these constraints and we recently took steps to ensure resources are available to better meet the needs of our patients and more quickly move people off the Behavioral Health wait list into care.
We are happy to share the news that we have significantly reduced our patient waiting list and are no longer capping therapy sessions for BH patients at 12 visits.
The following policies still remain in effect:
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and for allowing us to be your health care home. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please email Jean McClurken at [email protected].
Fenway Health’s Behavioral Health team operates under an Episodic Model of care. Episodic care refers to time limited treatment that encourages an individual to actively engage in therapy through dynamic movement. The focus of this movement through care is the building of skills and finding solutions. This works well for those with clear goals and high motivation.
The arc of treatment is made up of three phases:
Beginning PhaseThe beginning phase is focused on identifying clear goals of treatment. As such, treatment planning is essential because it helps the patient and provider focus care in a way that supports clear goals, movement, and resolution. In this phase, the provider works with the client to identify 1–3 areas of focus, noting that not all issues an individual comes to therapy with may be resolved within an episode. The provider outlines structure and mapping around the treatment experience, which includes the setting of a graduation goal in order to optimize sessions and time between sessions. The provider may begin treatment planning with the client by asking clear questions about their goals for care. |
Middle PhaseThe middle phase focuses on learning and implementing skills through a strengths-based approach. This evidenced based approach builds on an individual’s unique strengths and knowledge that they bring with them as experts in their own lives. As behavioral health providers, our responsibility is to support clients as they build skills, increase self-understanding, and conclude each episode of care with confidence in their ability to actively engage in living. |
Graduation PhaseWe actively support individuals to ready themselves for graduation by using active engagement in sessions and skills practice between sessions. We support and encourage our patients to increase their proficiency, confidence and test the sustainability of their efforts in order to create readiness to conclude their episode of care and return to their active living. We believe that doing intentional termination work is an essential part of therapy as often, individuals do not get to experience planned conclusions of relationships. At the time of graduation, folks are educated about their ability to return for a future episode of care if or when they need it. |
While we are working to navigate changes within our system, our group programming has been placed on hold. If you do not see a previously offered group on this page, we hope to be able to offer it again soon. All programming below is still available for you to attend. We are not adding individuals to our existing waitlists.
Please check back in the future, as we will update accordingly.
Fenway Health offers a variety of short-term, skill-based psychotherapy groups and support groups. Years of research demonstrates that group therapy can be just as effective as individual therapy, and in many instances, even more effective. Group psychotherapy is reimbursed by most insurance plans. Our groups promote active engagement, skill building, and improved self-understanding that leads to successful graduation from the group experience.
Support for Non-transgender Partners of Transgender People |
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Group meets on the second Wednesday of each month. This is a monthly drop-in night for non-transgender people who are in an intimate relationship with a transgender or gender non-binary person. (Relationship meaning: long-term, dating, casual, open, or monogamous). The group will provide a space for non-judgmental and uninhibited conversation, support, and resources. Topics that may come up in the group are:
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Trans, Nonbinary, Gender Diverse, and Questioning Peer Support Groups |
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Groups are open to trans, nonbinary, questioning, or otherwise gender diverse people ages 18+. You do not need to be a Fenway Health patient to join, and these groups are free to attend. No sign-up, registration, or insurance required. For additional information, please click on the button below to be directed to our Trans Health Program page. Support for Parents and Guardians of Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender Diverse PeopleOur Trans Health Program has a variety of resources, information, and groups for parents, guardians, and other adults in the lives of trans and gender diverse youth. Please click on the button below to be directed to our site dedicated to these young people and their families. |
Interpersonal violence, in any of its forms, can be a very isolating experience. For this reason, the act of giving and getting support with others with similar experiences can be a powerful part of healing. Groups also offer a chance to learn information and explore skills that can help to better cope. For more information about any of the groups listed below, please call the Violence Recovery Program at 617.927.6250 or 800.834.3242.
Trauma Education Group |
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The Trauma Education Group is a free, 9-week group for LGBTQIA+ people who have experienced abuse, violence or other trauma. Discussions will focus on the effects and symptoms of trauma in general, as opposed to each individual’s traumatic story or memories. Groups are run two to three times a year at Fenway’s 1340 Boylston Street location. |
Male Survivor Group |
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Independence House and The Violence Recovery Program of Fenway Health are joining together to offer a support group for all individuals who identify as men, live on Cape Cod, and are survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence. This is a 9-week group which gives participants information on healthy boundaries, self-care, safety, red flags and developing healthy relationships. This group is offered at the VRP’s Cape Cod Office. |
Asylum Seekers Group |
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The Asylum Seekers group is for LGBTQIA+ people who have come to the United States seeking asylum due to identity-based persecution in their home country. The group will give participants a chance to share resources and knowledge about the Asylum process. Participants can be anywhere in the asylum process. This group is offered at Fenway’s 1340 Boylston Street location. |
BIPOC LGBTQIA+ Community Space |
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This is a safe(r), encouraging, drop-in, support group for BIPOC LGBTQIA+ survivors of trauma who are interested in building community and connection with others who hold shared identities and/or experiences. This is a semi-structured, ongoing group that centers BIPOC LGBTQIA+ individuals and acknowledges the impacts of identity-based oppression on one’s healing journey. This group is not intended to be used as a space to process details of one’s individual trauma, but is intended to offer space for individuals to practice building healthy and supportive relationships with people who have similar experiences. The drop-in group will be running on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from 5 pm – 6 pm. This space will be offered on an ongoing basis. Participants will be able to sign up for 6-session cycles and are able to sign up for multiple cycles if they are interested. This group is online via Zoom. |
BIPOC Joy Group |
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This is a 12-week virtual support group for people that are seeking an intentional space to create more joy and resilience in their lives while building connections with others. Clients will be invited to participate in weekly group discussions centered on different topics and will be encouraged to participate in practices and activities on their own between sessions. The group will be Thursdays from 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM starting October 7th. Please note, this is a closed group. |
Men’s Group for Survivors of Sexual Violence |
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This a 10-week virtual psychoeducational group for self-identified men who are survivors of sexual violence. The group focuses on understanding the various ways sexual trauma impacts men physically, psychologically, and socially; and offers coping strategies to address the harm caused by sexual violence. |
