Talking Therapies Groups

Do you suffer from repeated episodes of depression, low mood or stress? Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy may be able to help you.

Many of us spend a lot of time going over the past, worrying about the future, and being judgmental and self-critical. These habits of mind are difficult to control and often leave us feeling stressed and low – mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) can help us to see things differently.

We offer mindfulness-based cognitive therapy groups for people who:

• Are suffering from mild to moderate depression or low mood
• Have repeated episodes of depression or low mood that’s hard to shift
• Are stressed 

An individual assessment and welcome call will ensure the course is right for you.

What does a typical session involve? 

Groups have 8 to 12 participants and are led by trained mental health professionals. You won’t need to share personal history unless you choose to. 

There will also be a daily home practice (20 to 40 minutes).

How long does the group last?

The MBCT group is an 8-week programme where we meet for 2 hours per week.  

What do people say about the group?

“I developed more than an understanding of mindfulness. I found it reassuring being part of a group and I learnt from others. It was an excellent course-very well thought out and delivered. The facilitators were both excellent and really gained my confidence. The course has exceeded my expectations”.

“I have a better ability to relax, step back and be aware of my own feelings & situations, and it has given me tools to help me cope and thrive in life”.

If you often struggle to understand or manage your emotions, or you frequently experience difficulties in relationships—whether friendships, work, or intimate partnerships—this approach may be helpful. These challenges might include difficulty asserting yourself, using unhelpful communication styles (such as being threatening, dismissive, or avoidant), or being told by others that you seem “hot and cold.”

This group can support both neurotypical and neurodiverse individuals who grew up in environments where their emotions were not validated and, as a result, did not develop strong emotional resilience. 

It may also be beneficial if you have already completed therapy focused on understanding the impact of trauma and are now looking to build practical skills in these areas.

What does a typical session involve?

Each week, we focus on one skill. We start by reviewing how you got on with last week’s skill, then introduce and discuss a new one with examples. You’ll also have time to practise the skill, often in small groups. We include regular mindfulness practice, usually at the start or end of the session to help with grounding. There is also a short comfort break halfway through each session.

How long does the group last?

The Managing Emotions group is a 12-week programme where we meet for 2 hours per week.  

What do people say about the group?

“The help I received has made my life better. The therapists were very good. They listened and were very kind and the group setting was so helpful not to feel alone".

“Before starting, I was definitely nervous about being in a group. I wasn’t sure how comfortable I would feel sharing space with others or whether I would feel judged. But very quickly, the group became one of the most supportive and helpful parts of the course. It was reassuring to realise that I wasn’t alone, and hearing other people’s experiences helped me feel understood and less isolated. The environment felt safe, respectful and encouraging, and I found that I gained so much not only from the skills but from the shared sense of connection".

“Taking part in MEG has genuinely changed my life. I feel like a completely different person compared to when I started. I now see things from a totally different perspective, and I’ve gone from feeling sad and stuck much of the time to often feeling motivated, empowered, and more able to cope. The combination of learning the skills and being part of a group where people truly understood made a huge difference for me".

This group is based on Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and helps people learn to be kinder to themselves by developing self-compassion. Many people find it easy to be compassionate toward others but struggle to show the same kindness to themselves. CFT is designed to work with feelings of shame and self‑criticism. While Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) can help people understand their thoughts, some still don’t feel any emotional change. CFT focuses more on helping people feel different, not just think differently.

What does a typical session involve?

We begin by looking at how our brains work. This includes understanding how our brains have evolved and why they can sometimes be difficult to manage.

Next, the group will learn exercises and practices that help calm the mind. Many of these are based on Mindfulness, which teaches us to pay attention to the present moment instead of getting caught up in constant thoughts.

A key part of the group will be exploring why it can be so challenging to let go of self‑criticism and to treat ourselves with compassion. Once we understand these barriers, the final part of the course will focus on exercises and practices that help build self‑compassion.

How long does the group last?

The group runs for 10 weekly sessions of 2 hours, including a comfort break. Before the group there will be a 1:1 meeting with one of the group facilitators to ask questions and find out the particular goals you have. After 5 weeks there will be a 1 week break with the opportunity to meet 1:1 to review any questions and difficulties and exercises and practices that seem most relevant for you

What do people say about the group?

“Great service, wonderful course, so much understanding and empathy. I felt humbled when listening to others. Lovely therapists and lovely group”.

“My one to one sessions with my therapist were hugely beneficial and constructive. The course that followed under my therapist’s expert guidance consolidated and augmented my progress moving forward. The practices and skills acquired through the course enable me to continue on my journey forward. I have nothing but gratitude and praise for my therapist and Trafford Talking Therapies”.

This group is for pregnant women, or women with children under the age of 2. It is aimed at women whose main difficulty is around shame and self-criticism, with a particular focus on how these issues may present during the perinatal period. Perhaps you have been telling yourself that you aren’t good enough, always giving yourself a hard time for things, or are worrying about how other people perceive you.

If you have experienced anxiety or depression which feels connected to being pregnant or having just had a baby, then this might be a suitable group for you.

What does a typical session involve?
A typical session includes some psychoeducation, skills and skills practice, and discussion focusing on shame and guilt in perinatal period in particular.  

Although the group primarily takes place over MS Teams, we often try to hold our final session at Partington Children’s Centre, as we feel this is a great opportunity for everyone to connect. We encourage everyone to bring their little ones to this, as the centre has lots of wonderful toys for them to play with and explore! We also use this as an opportunity to practice some of the techniques with our babies

How long does the group last?

What do people say about the group?

“Firstly, I just want to say a massive thank you. The group had a massively positive impact on me, my mental health, and my life as a mother. It’s been amazing! I could happily keep going to those sessions for another year…or more! I found them so helpful, and it was such a comforting and safe space to share experiences and thoughts and reflections”.

“Everyone should do this course. It has been really valuable and transformative for me and I wish that other mothers in a similar predicament to myself would be able to access the course and benefit from it”. 

This is a group based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and is aimed at people who have worry and anxiety that gets in the way of daily life and want to understand how to manage it differently, in a supportive structured setting.  

What does a typical session involve?

• Learning about anxiety and worry, what keeps it going, and what strategies and tools can be helpful.
• Opportunities for discussion, questions and sharing of experiences throughout.
• Group work exercises to learn and practice new skills. 

How long does the group last? 

The group runs for 10 weeks and each session will be 2 hours long with a short break halfway through. There will be a 1:1 review mid-way and at the end of the course to check on progress.

What do people say about the group?

“The group has been very helpful and better than 1:1 CBT that I have had in the past”.

“The group was very informative and it was helpful to meet new people and learn how to keep my anxiety controlled. The therapists were amazing and understanding”.

This low intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-based group is designed for individuals experiencing depression linked to their current inactivity. It offers a supportive space to learn together, share experiences if you wish, and discover that others are facing similar challenges.

What does a typical session involve?

The sessions include:

• Understanding your mood
• Getting active again
• Transforming unhelpful thoughts
• Engaging in gentle movements run by a variety of people from the community

Each session includes practical tools, discussion, and opportunities to learn from others in a comfortable, friendly environment. You can take part as much or as little as you feel able to.

How long does the group last?

The group runs for 6 weeks and each session will be 90 minutes. You’ll receive worksheets and guidance to help you build momentum between sessions and continue your progress after the group ends.