Group therapy

Clarity is offering a hybrid of both in-person groups and virtual groups this Spring and Summer

last updated 5/15/25

Below is our Spring and Summer flyer's for current and upcoming groups at Clarity Counseling.  We are running both virtual and in person groups at this time, so please read carefully which option is offered per group.  For more information, please call 571-318-9141 or email ClarityCounselingVA@gmail.com to speak with our intake coordinator about registering for group(s)

Radically Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (RO-DBT) Social Skills Classes  We currently enrolling for these NEW classes.  If you would like to register today to join the 1st semester started 4/25 with rolling admission, please reach out.

Radically Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (RO-DBT) is an evidenced-based treatment for the over controlled individual.  This treatment focuses on connection and openness to building a life worth sharing.  Clarity's providers are trained and certified by the developer, Dr. Thomas Lynch, PhD and all class facilitators are Level 2 trained where as the rest of the Clarity team holds Level 1 certification in RODBT.  Class participants have the option to participate in Clarity's RODBT program for high fidelity RODBT treatment or in classes on a monthly basis to supplement other therapies that are not solely RODBT.  This is a 30 week class and admission is rolling, pending availability in the class.  Class participants are required to complete an assessment prior to enrollment to ensure this is the group for you.  Upon enrollment ROI's to collaborate care are mandatory.  All teen classes are held in-person and adult classes will be starting up virtually starting up in April 2025. Clarity is able to provide support for participants who live in Virginia and the upcoming Adult group will be able to accommodate Virginia and Maryland clients.

Issues: Over Control presenting in the form of Eating Disorders / Trauma / Depression /Anxiety / OCD - 

Gender: All
Age:  Adult class if for 19+ (adults)

WE ARE OFFERING VIRTUAL CLASSES IN 2025 SPRING SEMESTER 

Where: From the comfort of your own home (we will be using ZOOM as the virtual platform) FOR ADULTS 18+ living in VA/MD
When:  Friday's at 12:00pm - 1:30pm (19+ years old) Start Date is April 25th with rolling admission

Cost: $100 per class (due to group running for 1.5 hour) and/or payment options are offered in treatment agreement for those interested in Clarity's full fidelity RODBT outpatient treatment program.  There is a mandatory intake session ($240 for this intake) with a licensed provider to complete an assessment and review the groups goals and objectives.  Payment will be taken the Monday prior to the first term or the participants first class and will reflect the option that was selected in your treatment agreement.   The class will meet for 1.5hr and will spend the first 30 minutes reviewing HW, followed by a 10-15 minute break and snack, and spend one hour learning new material and reviewing HW for the next class.  The Therapists facilitating the class will upload a superbill at the end of each month for participants to submit to their insurance for reimbursement.

If you would like to register for this next session, please email our intake coordinator through the website or at ClarityCounselingVA@gmail.com

Teen VIRTUAL Full Fidelity 24-Week DBT Skills Group's serving ages 14-19 living in VA/MD/DC/NC.  We currently enrolling for the start date for the next module (Distress Tolerance Module) on June 2nd. 

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an evidenced-based treatment that teaches coping skills to help manage emotions and stress through positive behavioral change. Clarity will spend 5-6 weeks on each of the 4 modules of DBT.  Group members will learn skills to be mindful and present, improve communication, manage emotions and tolerate stress.  Group members are required to work with a primary therapist in addition to group therapy and meet with the group facilitator once prior to the start of the group for a short group introduction.  All groups are currently held virtually, so Clarity will be able to provide support for group members who live in Virginia.

Issues: Eating Disorders / Trauma / Self Harm / Depression /Anxiety / OCD
Gender: All
Age: These group's are for ages 14yrs -18  
Where: From the comfort of your own home (we will be using ZOOM as the virtual platform)

When:  Monday's at 6:30pm - 8:00pm (14 - 18 years old) . We have an open enrollment currently at the start of each module.  The Distress Tolerance Module will start on June 2nd at 6:30 - 8pm and we are currently enrolling for new members.

Cost: $100 per group for Adolescents (due to group running for 1.5 hour) and members must commit to all 24 sessions of the group with consent for group leader to communicate with primary therapist.  There will be an option for members to enroll at the start of each module since this group will run continuously.  The first meeting will be a mandatory intake session ($240  for this intake) with a licensed provider to complete an assessment and review the groups goals and objectives.  Payment will be taken at the start of each module. A free parent information session will also be held on the first group virtually.  This is a free session for parents and supports to review the curriculum with the director, Alicia Ayvas, LCSW and take a deep dive into DBT so that parents understand and can reinforce what their teens are learning.  There will also be free parent training sessions for each module offered every 6 weeks to ensure parents are learning alongside their teens who are enrolled in the group.

If you would like to register for this next session, please email our intake coordinator through the website or at ClarityCounselingVA@gmail.com

Teen In-Person 24-Week DBT Skills Group's serving ages 14-18.  This group is enrolling new members for the June cohort.  The June cohort will meet on Tuesdays in Reston and Thursdays in Gainesville  at 6:30-8pm.

Alicia Ayvas, LCSW was trained in DBT in 2009 at Columbia University and is overseeing the Tuesday and Thursday evening group that will be run by Madison Valentine, LPC in Reston and Mackenzie Jardell, LPC in Gainesville.  Both Madison and Mackenzie have running DBT groups with teens over the last 3-4 years and are thrilled to bring this group in-person in Fairfax and Prince William County. The group is energetic, educational, and targets all 4 modules in DBT and will leave clients with a comprehensive binder of all of the skills learned throughout the group.  This group will be offered in-person at the Gainesville and Reston location and will spend 6 weeks per module and have 1 bi-week prior to starting a new module.  Pending the group size, the group could accept new group members at the start of the new module, but this group will max out at 6 members.

Issues: Eating Disorders / Trauma / Self Harm / Depression /Anxiety / OCD
Gender: All
Age: These group's are for ages 14yrs -18 
Where: 7150 Heritage Village Plaza, Unit 201 Gainesville, VA 20155

Starting June 10th and June 12th this group will be offered in-person in both the Reston and Gainesville at 6:30 - 8pm (14 - 18 years old).  The Reston group will run on Tuesdays and the Gainesville group will run on Thursdays.

When:  Tuesday's at 6:00pm - 7:30pm (14 - 18 years old) The next cohort starts on June 10th (in Reston) and June 12th (in Gainesville at 6:30 - 8pm (14 - 18 years old). To enroll, please contact Clarity.

Cost: $100 per group for Adolescents (due to group running for 1.5 hours) and members must commit to all 6 sessions  per module with consent for the group leader to communicate with primary therapist.  The first meeting will be a mandatory intake session/psychosocial assessment ($240 for this intake/psychosocial assessment) with a licensed provider to complete an assessment and review the groups goals and objectives.  Payment will be taken at the start of each module. A free parent information session will also be held for parents in the office during the first module.  This is a free session for parents and supports to review the curriculum with the director, Alicia Ayvas, LCSW and take a deep dive into DBT so that parents understand and can reinforce what their teens are learning throughout the 24 weeks of groups.  There will also be free parent training sessions for each module offered every 6 weeks to ensure parents are learning alongside their teens who are enrolled in the group.

If you would like to register for this next session/cohort, please email our intake coordinator through the website or at ClarityCounselingVA@gmail.com

Adult VIRTUAL 15 Week DBT Skills Group is on Monday's at 7 - 8:30 (ages 18yrs and older).  We are currently enrolling for a June 2nd start date

Alicia Ayvas, LCSW was trained in DBT in 2009 at Columbia University and is overseeing the Monday night group that will be run by Katie Bowler, LCSW and starting June 2nd the group will be run by Ilana Simkol, MSW, Resident In Social Work. The group is energetic, educational, and targets all 4 modules in DBT and will leave clients with a comprehensive binder of all of the skills learned throughout the group.  All DBT groups are run by Katie Bowler, LCSW and as of June 2nd will be run by Ilana Simkol (Ilana has been running DBT groups since 2019).

Issues:  Eating Disorders / Trauma / Self Harm / Depression /Anxiety / OCD
Gender:  All
Age:  These groups are for ages 18+
Where:  From the comfort of your own home (we will be using ZOOM as the virtual platform)

When:  Monday's at 7 - 8:30pm ( The group is currently enrolling for the next cohort starting on June 2nd)

Cost:  $100 per group for the Adult group (members must commit to all 15 sessions with consent for group leader to communicate with primary therapist).  Payment will be taken at the start of each module.  The first meeting will be a mandatory intake session/psychosocial assessment ($240 for this intake/psychosocial assessment) with a licensed provider to complete an assessment and review the groups goals and objectives.  Payment will be taken at the start of each module. 

This group is currently registering members.  If you would like to register for this next session, please email our intake coordinator through the website or at ClarityCounselingVA@gmail.com

Virtual Group

Adult (18 - 30) 8 Week Summer Eating Disorder Recovery Process Group on Wednesday's at 10 - 11am starting June 4th 

This NEW group is currently enrolling for members today!

This group is intended for college aged, or recent post grad individuals who are in recovery from an eating disorder and are needing a safe space to process among peers during their summer break. It is most appropriate for people stepping down from higher levels of care to aid in the transition or those who are at the out patient level of care and would benefit with added support. This group is structured as a safe space to check-in and share about thoughts, feelings and behavior urges as well as to give and receive feedback on your recovery journey. This group meets virtually on Wednesdays from 10am - 11am and is $90 with receipts provided for reimbursement.

Issues: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, OSFED, EDNOS
Gender: All
Age: 18 - 30

Where: From the comfort of your own home // HIPPA compliant ZOOM platform

When: Wednesday's at 10:00am - 11:00am 

The group has a fee of $90 per session and receipts are provided to submit to insurance.  We ask that group members commit for one month at a time. 

If you would like to register for this next session, please email our intake coordinator through the website or at ClarityCounselingVA@gmail.com 

FREE Zoom Parent Support  

Where: Join Zoom Meeting

Advanced DBT Skills Group For Adults - Enrolling NOW

This is an Advanced DBT skills group that meets for 6 weeks as a continuation to the 15 week skills group or the 14 week skills groups. The group is intended for adults who are wanting to continue learning and personalizing DBT skills and have completed a prior DBT skills group (either at Clarity or at another treatment center). The group will meet on Thursday's at 7-8:30pm start on May 19th. Each group session will have a focused skill from DBT that participants will learn and then discuss. It will be a mixture of a skills group and process group and focus on using skills at school and in the work setting.

Who: Adults 18+

When: Thursday's 's at 7 - 8:30pm Starting in May 19, 2025

Where: Virtual 

Cost: $80 per session 

Receipts will be provided for clients to submit for reimbursement. 

This group is currently registering members and Clarity intake coordinator is providing a phone consultation prior to the start date.  The assessment will be required for admission to review with the a licensed therapist personalized goals for the group.  If you would like to register for this intensive DBT group, please email our intake coordinator through the website or at ClarityCounselingVA@gmail.com

ZOOM Group For Parents and Supports

Topic: A Quick View Into Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

(Topics will change monthly)

This NEW monthly meeting is meant to help bridge the gap in treatment by providing information and coaching to parents and supports.  This months topic will focus on DBT and provide an overview of the 24-week DBT skills group offered here at Clarity.  This is a great way for parents and supports to learn and understand what the upcoming DBT skills groups will be focusing on.

Alicia Ayvas, LCSW, CEDS-S, Clarity's Founder and Executive Director, is excited to offer this new monthly meeting, and hopes to focus on different topics each month for education, coaching and support.  

Issues: Parents & supports who have loved ones in treatment for mental health disorders or illnesses
Gender: All
Age: 18+

Where: All meetings will be offered via a Zoom meeting.  All participants must register prior to the group to receive an invite for access

When: TBD

The Zoom group is free for Clarity families.  For the community at large, this training has a fee of $30 per individual and $45 per family.  

Adult VIRTUAL DBT Process Group meets on Thursday's at 7 - 8:00 (ages 18yrs and older).  

Holly Serrano, LPC is running this DBT Focused Process Group every Thursday night from 7-8pm.  This group is intended for Adults (18+) who have completed DBT skills training and are looking for a safe and confidential space to personalize and practice skills with peers who have also learned DBT and are working to implement it in their daily life.  

Issues: Eating Disorders / Trauma / Self Harm / Depression /Anxiety / OCD
Gender: All
Age: These groups are for ages 18+
Where: From the comfort of your own home (we will be using ZOOM as the virtual platform)

When:  TBD 

Cost:  $90 per group.  Payment will be taken at the start of each month for a the full month of group (so 4 session will be charged on the 1st of the month) and receipts are provided at the end of the month. 

This group is currently registering new members and Clarity's intake coordinator will be able to providing a phone consultation prior to the start date and register new members.  If you would like to register for this group, please email our intake coordinator through the website or at ClarityCounselingVA@gmail.com

Adult VIRTUAL 6 Week Advanced DBT Skills Group is on Thursday's at 7 - 8:30 (ages 18yrs and older). 

Issues: Eating Disorders / Trauma / Self Harm / Depression /Anxiety / OCD
Gender: All
Age: These groups are for ages 18+
Where: From the comfort of your own home (we will be using ZOOM as the virtual platform)
When:  TBD
Cost:  $100 per group for the Adult group (members must commit to all 6 sessions with consent for group leader to communicate with primary therapist).  

This group is not currently registering members.  If you would like to learn more about this group, please email our intake coordinator through the website or at ClarityCounselingVA@gmail.com

Virtual 8-Week Body Image Group on Tuesday's at 5pm-6pm for 18+

CURRENTLY ENROLLING MEMBERS for TBD start date

Clarity Counseling is thrilled to offer a comprehensive 8-week body image group that is taken from the evidenced based workbook, "The Body Image Workbook" by Thomas Cash. Brigid Morse, MA, Resident in Counseling ran this curriculum back at a HLOC prior to joining Clarity along with Clarity's Director, Alicia Ayvas, LCSW, CEDS-S who used this workbook for a research back in 2008. this 8-week program is an effective way to improve body image and decrease body dissatisfaction. If you are interested in participating in this group, please contact us for more information. This virtual group is intended for adults, ages 18 year and older and requires group members to participate in and out of group. This is an interactive group with assignments to be completed in-between sessions. It is a CBT approach to treating body image issues and is a powerful tool in inviting lasting change.

Issues: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, OSFED, EDNOS, body dysmorphia
Gender: All
Age: 18+

Where: From the comfort of your own home // HIPPA compliant ZOOM platform

When: TBD

The group has a fee of $100 per session and receipts are provided to submit to insurance.  We ask that group members commit for all 8 weeks.