Relational Roots: Online Therapist Process Group

A process group for therapists who want to explore their emotional experiences and relational patterns in real-time interactions.

You're brilliant in the therapy room. Your clients trust you, your colleagues look up to you—and yet, in your personal relationships, something feels out of sync. As therapists, we know how to create a space for others to be vulnerable, open, and authentic. But when it’s our turn to be vulnerable with our partners, friends, or even ourselves, it can feel like a huge emotional risk. Do you avoid asking for help from others? Feel emotionally distant from your partner or friends? Secretly long for connection, but don’t know how to let yourself feel cared for? This group is for you.

In Relational Roots, patterns don’t just get discussed — they come alive. You might find yourself pulling back when others ask how you’re doing or try to offer support, just like you might with your friends or family. But here, someone notices. They ask about it and get curious about what is happening for you. And in that moment, you begin to feel what it's like to be truly seen — and to risk showing up anyway.

From the challenges of making friends to avoiding bringing up your own mental health concerns because you’re supposed to be “the strong one” in the family, relationship struggles exist for therapists too. It can feel extremely vulnerable and shame inducing to admit that we, too, encounter problems. This process group aims to help normalize the interpersonal struggles that we, therapists, can experience in their personal lives and offer a space for you to explore how it feels to admit you’re human.

This group is a space to discuss what it means for you to be a therapist and a human, and to learn more about yourself in social interactions with others. Feedback from others can help us to identify patterns of disconnection we may be experiencing in our lives and practice vulnerability in a safe, shame-free environment.

A shame-free space for therapists to practice vulnerability, connect authentically, and grow relationally.

Please note: video briefly mentions instance of suicide. Practice self-care as needed and if you require immediate support, please reach out to a local crisis line, you can view resources here.

What is a process group and what can I expect?

Rarely, do we ever have the opportunity to share with one another how we experience someone. A process group is an experiential group, meaning we focus on the present process and moment in front of us. Although discussions will be around interpersonal relationship challenges, such as struggling to resolve a conflict with a partner or friend, each group will uniquely create its own culture and topics of discussion. This is not a supervision, case consultation, or psychoeducational, skills-building group.

In a process group, you might start to notice patterns in how you relate to others — ways you avoid discomfort, much like you might do in everyday life. For instance, you might catch yourself saying, “it’s not a big deal,” just to avoid the vulnerability of acknowledging the pain you feel. In a group environment, this instinct to smooth things over is gently reflected back to you to help you recognize the automatic behaviours we use to protect ourselves. You may begin to feel the discomfort in your body: the way you tighten up when there’s tension, the impulse to shift the conversation when things get a little too real or focused on you. But in this space, you’ll be invited to stay with it. To say, "actually, I’m struggling with…," and experience how it feels to stay connected through discomfort. Instead of pushing you away, the group holds that space for you — with curiosity, understanding, and acceptance. This kind of practice transforms how you show up in the world: less about appeasing others and more about being authentic, even when it’s hard.

We’ve all experienced the fear of being “too much” or not having all the answers when it comes to our own relationships. Relational Roots is designed to help you process those fears—without the pressure of being perfect. In this group, you can drop the therapist role and simply be you.

Who can join?

All mental health professionals (Psychotherapists, Psychologists, Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, etc.) are welcome to join, students included. You must reside in ON, Canada.

Not a mental health provider? Email me (info@ekaterinakapoustina.ca)! If there is enough interest from other related professions, I’m more than happy to create a separate process group to meet your needs.

Is this group right for me?

This process group is perfect for you, if you’re a therapist:

- who yearns for more intimacy, vulnerability and authenticity in your personal relationships

- looking for a space where you can deeply process relational stuck points and practice real-time relational skills

- tired of feeling alone in your desires to connect deeply with your partner or loved ones  

- ready to be seen as a human first, not just a professional

If you’re ready to take off your therapist hat and show up as your whole self, Relational Roots is for you.

Here, you’ll experience growth without fear of judgment—just support, compassion, and real-time change.

Logistics:

June 19th, 2025 - December 19th, 2025 (online)

Cost: $70 per session, per participant

Two weekly groups: Thursdays 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm & Fridays 8:00 am - 9:30 am

It will be a closed group (no new members permitted once started) with a max of 6 members. The beauty of a closed group is the safety and consistency it provides. Over time, you’ll build stronger connections with group members, leading to more profound insights and support. And with that level of commitment, we can dig deeper and create lasting changes that make your work as a therapist more sustainable.

To ensure group cohesiveness and trust develops, commitment for 6 months is required. This isn’t a quick fix, it’s a process. Six months gives us the time to dive deep, build trust, and create the kind of transformation that can make a lasting difference in how you show up as a therapist, partner, and friend in your life.

Spots are limited, so reach out today (info@ekaterinakapoustina.ca) to schedule a consultation and secure your place in the group!

Still got questions? See some FAQs below.

  • A process group is a therapeutic space where participants explore their emotional experiences, relational dynamics, and internal worlds with others. The goal is not to solve problems or offer advice, but to experience and reflect on what's happening in the moment. It’s a way to deepen your self-awareness, improve emotional regulation, and learn more about how you show up in relationships—both personal and professional.

  • In a process group, you're not being “directed” by the leader or offering advice to others. It’s not about solving specific client cases or providing supervision. Instead, it’s about connecting with your own feelings and responses as they arise in a group dynamic. You’ll explore things like personal triggers and emotional barriers with a focus on being witnessed, rather than being the expert. Group therapy creates space for unexpected insights—not just from being seen, but from witnessing others, feeling triggered, moved, or mirrored in ways that individual therapy can’t always access.

  • A process group is built on the idea that people grow by being seen and heard, not by being “fixed” or told what to do. You’ll share your own thoughts, feelings, and experiences in the moment, while others listen and reflect. This reflective process allows you to build greater self-awareness, empathy, and connection. The group's collective energy becomes a mirror for your own emotional world.

  • Not at all. In a process group, you decide what to share, and you set the pace. No one will push you to disclose anything you're not ready to. Vulnerability is encouraged, but always on your own terms. Group members are expected to honor each other's boundaries and create a safe, non-judgmental space for everyone.

  • Your emotional safety is paramount. As a group, we will discuss and settle on agreements for how to deal with specific situations (absences, lack of engagement, etc.). If you feel triggered or overwhelmed, you can take a break, express what’s coming up, or choose to hold back until you feel ready. The group is a supportive container, and I will guide the process to make sure everyone feels safe and heard, even when challenging emotions surface.

  • If you’ve been feeling disconnected from your own emotions, or like you’re holding things in because you don’t have a space to share them, a process group can be incredibly healing. This group is for therapists who want to feel more connected to their own feelings, examine how their personal experiences show up in their work, and be witnessed in a way that’s affirming and non-judgmental. If this resonates with you, let’s talk and see if it’s a fit.

  • Yes, the group can absolutely support therapists of all levels of experience. It’s less about having “mastery” and more about being open to your own emotional experiences. Whether you’ve been practicing for years or are still finding your therapeutic voice, a process group can provide a space for growth and emotional support.

  • Yes, confidentiality is one of the cornerstones of a process group. What’s shared in the group stays in the group. Each participant is expected to hold space for each other’s vulnerability by maintaining confidentiality, creating a safe and trusting environment where everyone feels comfortable to explore what’s coming up for them. If you would like to process with a loved one or friend outside the group, you can focus on your own experience of what it is like being in the group, rather than sharing someone’s specific story or their identity.

  • I’m so glad you’re interested! If you’re feeling curious about whether this group could be the right fit, I’d love to talk with you on a free 20-minute consultation call. We’ll explore your goals, any questions you might have, and what to expect from the group experience. If you feel ready to move forward, we’ll go over the next steps.

    Please email me: info@ekaterinakapoustina.ca