grounded in a burning world

A women’s process group (with some light psychoeducation and skills-building built in) for nervous system regulation and processing in response to current socio-political events.
Format: 8 weekly sessions
Schedule: Thursdays, 9:00–10:30am
Location: Virtual, Colorado-only

Group Purpose

This trauma-informed process group supports women with nervous system stabilization, parts/response patterning, boundaries as harm reduction, and building real-life capacity when functioning feels hard with the current socio-political climate. This is not a space to discuss the current events - rather, it is a space to process our responses to it. This is not a space for dissection of current events, or current events reporting - this is the space to breathe, cry, emote around them, and to integrate back into functional nervous system repair.

Session Structure

A thread we’ll build across all 8 weeks - throughout the group, we’ll practice noticing and tracking your internal response patterns (“parts”)—how they show up, what they’re trying to protect, and what helps you come back to more choice and steadiness. This is something we build gradually, through observation and practice, not something you’re expected to “figure out” in one session.

Each session includes: - Grounding or body-based check-in - Psychoeducation or skills building - Facilitated process and discussion - Integration practice and closing. This group is lightly parts-informed (IFS-consistent), trauma-informed, feminist/liberation-oriented. 

Note: This group is not crisis support and does not include between-session emergency availability. Participants are encouraged to be in ongoing regular therapy with a therapist.

8-Week Curriculum

Session 1: Orientation + Noticing your patterns without shame

·      Welcome, intentions, and group overview

·      Confidentiality, limits, and expectations

·      Establishing safety, pacing, and consent in group participation

·      Closing reflection: what helped you survive, and what no longer fits

Session 2: Window of Tolerance / Time Distortion

·      We’ll cover the window of tolerance

·      How trauma “triggers” can intensify the experience of current events

·      Grounding practices (without gaslighting your experience)

·      Integration: body-based check-in practice for the week

Session 3: Protectors and Coping: What Helps You Function (and what it costs)

·      Explore common protective patterns (overfunctioning, caretaking, shutting down, numbing, doom-scrolling, perfectionism, etc.)

·      Practice relating to protective patterns with respect vs self-attack. 

·      Focus: building curiosity and choice.

Session 4: Creating Safety in Real Life: Capacity, Not Willpower

·      This week is about functioning.

·      Build practical safety/capacity plans for real life.

·      Focus: minimum viable day planning, support menus, micro-boundaries.

·      Practicing language for limits, preferences, and no

·      Integration: one small boundary experiment for the week

Session 5: Boundaries Without Gaslighting: Harm Reduction + Consent With Self

·      Making space for nervous system regulation without putting your head in the sand, or ignoring real danger cues

·      Protecting your energy to do what matters

·      Focus: boundaries for news/social media, family, work, and community.

·      Supporting emotional expression without overwhelm

Session 6: Anger, Grief, and Power: Metabolizing What We See

·      We’ll make room for anger and grief in a contained, body-safe way

·      Explore how these emotions can become clarity, protection, and values-based power

·      Exploring meaning after disillusionment or deconstruction

·      Integration: values inventory or journaling prompt

Session 7: Self-Leadership Under Stress: Decisions When Parts Are Loud

·      Practice parts-informed decision process that supports clarity

·      Noticing trauma echoes in relationships, community, and leadership

·      Focus: reducing urgency-driven choices and decision fatigue.

·      Integration: self-trust practice in one current decision

Session 8: Integration + Community: Sustainable Support and Next Steps

·      Reflect on growth, grief, and what remains tender

·      Naming shifts in body awareness, boundaries, values, and self-trust

·      Build a plan for future activation cycles

·      Identifying ongoing supports, practices, and community needs

·      Group closing ritual and transition

Clinical Notes

·      This group is process-oriented and trauma-informed.

·      It is not appropriate for crisis support or participants needing a higher level of care.

·      Screening should assess readiness for group process, current stability, and fit.