Beyond Symptoms: Loneliness, Longing and Belonging in Clinical Practice
Beyond Symptoms: Loneliness, Longing and Belonging in Clinical Practice
Early Registration rate available through February 4, 2026
MARCH 6, 2026
12-1:00 PM
Live Webinar by Zoom
Many clients' mental and emotional challenges are amplified by a lack of connection with others - a loneliness that is often overlooked. We work hard to build strong rapport with people in individual sessions, but there is a natural and unavoidable distance between the “expert” and “sufferer” in the one-on-one approach. My experience is that a well crafted group can create the possibility of connection between sufferers beyond what individual work can do. Groups can foster real, in-the-moment experiences of connection that lift some of the weight of human suffering. A well structured group is an opportunity for people to identify their values, share their struggles, ask for help, be inspired, practice acceptance, shift their perspective, and gain support to make changes in meaningful directions. All this while in the company of equals who also wrestle with the challenges of living. In this talk, the presenter will highlight some core concepts of the healing factors of a group and suggest ways to perceive and facilitate groups as the natural adjunct to individual work.
Learning Objectives:
As a result of engaging in the presentation, attendees will be able to:
Describe at least 6 healing factors of group
Identify 3 processes that facilitate and 3 that hinder connection between participants
Presenter Bio
eresa Valliere, LCSW, LADC, CCS is an individual therapist, group facilitator, clinical supervisor and trainer in practice since 1997. She was director of inpatient services for a women’s substance abuse and co-occurring disorders residential and halfway house programs; led an Assertive Community Treatment team; supervised a large detoxification and rehabilitation center specializing in co–occurring disorders, relapse prevention and early recovery for men and women; facilitated groups for trauma, addiction/recovery and mindfulness; and worked with domestic violence offenders. She has expertise in trauma and recovery, group facilitation, motivational interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, difficult conversations and clinical supervision. She is a frequent workshop leader for AdCare, CCSME, Maine Behavioral Health and other organizations. She taught at North Carolina State and Tufts Psychiatry Program. She maintains a private practice in Portland serving adults with a special focus on caring for professionals in mental health, medical, legal, first responders and other helping professions.
