WOMEN'S TRAUMA GROUP
Healing in Community
Women who have experienced sexual trauma often face shame and feel pressure to keep silent. Group therapy provides the opportunity to process difficult feelings with others who know what it’s like.
Group therapy can restore a sense of connectedness, understanding, and meaning. The goal is to provide a safe space to explore the impact of trauma and come together to find inner strength.
Heal in community with us at WILA.
Schedule a free intro call or call us at (424) 371-5191
A group therapist will call you back
The Groups
WILA’s Trauma Group is for women who have experienced sexual trauma. This is a small group that meets in person on Mondays from 6-7pm. If you would like to participate in our next 10-week group, please reach out to our front desk at 424-371-5191 for more information or to schedule a confidential intake assessment.
Topics explored in group include:
- How trauma impacts our emotions, and feelings about ourselves and our bodies.
- How trauma impacts our relationships and the way we relate to the world.
- Any trauma-related experiences participants may choose to share.
Commitment & Costs
Participants must commit to attending the group in 10-week intervals and must also be concurrently engaged in individual treatment at WILA or with an outside therapist. If you need an individual therapist, WILA can assist you.
The cost of the group is $25 per session, or $250 for ten weeks. Participants must commit to and pay for the entire 10-week group experience whether or not they are able to attend all 10 sessions. Payment plans can be arranged upon request. Read about WILA’s compliance with the No Surprises Act.
Our Team
Jennie Ostendorf, MSW
Group Facilitator
Jennie (ASW122859) completed her Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in adult mental health and wellness at the University of Southern California. Before WILA, she trained at USC’s Counseling and Mental Health center where she worked with individuals and groups. In addition to her clinical practice with adults, Jennie has worked at Experience Camps where she facilitated grief process groups for children and teens. Jennie believes that the most powerful healing happens in relation to others and that group therapy provides a space for restorative connection.
Genevieve Winters
Group Facilitator
Genevieve is currently completing a Master’s in Psychology at Antioch University with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy. Before WILA, Genevieve worked with survivors of sexual violence and with people who have experienced sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Genevieve is passionate about the healing power of community and believes that group psychotherapy can provide crucial support for transformative growth after trauma.
Dawn Tennenbaum, Ph.D.
Group Supervisor
Dr. Dawn Tennenbaum received her bachelor’s degree from Allegheny College, master’s degree from California State University Long Beach, and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Health Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant University. She completed advanced training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy at the prestigious and socially-conscious Wright Institute of Los Angeles. Dawn provides psychotherapy to individuals and couples. She has specialized clinical training in treating relational trauma, including physical and sexual assault, emotional abuse, and adverse experiences. She enjoys working with adults to overcome adversity, increase insight, find and create more meaning in life, and improve relationships. Dawn Tennenbaum, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist registered by the California State Board of Psychology (PSY32107)
Frequently Asked Qs
Do I have to share the details of my trauma?
Sharing the details of your trauma(s) with others can restore a sense of connectedness, meaning, and understanding, however, disclosure should always be a voluntary act. Our groups are intended for women who feel ready to begin to voluntarily disclose and work through their traumatic experiences. Our intake therapist will help you determine your readiness to share, and to hear, stories of sexual trauma. We may recommend a period of individual therapy before beginning a Women’s Trauma group.
Will I feel safe in the group?
This is one of the most important questions you can ask! Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee safety. Talking about trauma, like any therapy, has both benefits and risks. One of the risks is that symptoms, memories, and discomfort can get worse before getting better. The group facilitators are prepared to help engender a feeling of safety for you and the other members. Your most important task is communicating your needs to the best of your ability.
What if I already have an individual therapist?
Meeting weekly with an outside individual therapist meets the requirement to participate in the WILA’s Women’s Trauma group without signing up for individual therapy at WILA. We will require that a release is signed so that our group therapists and your individual therapist can speak when necessary. This will be discussed with group members individually and will be handled thoughtfully to balance your privacy and responsible coordination of care.
Will my insurance pay for the group?
In keeping with WILA’s mission, our Women’s Trauma Group is priced to be an affordable alternative for those who do not have adequate health insurance benefits and/or cannot afford expensive private treatment. Participants are expected to pay WILA directly at the time of service. If requested, your therapist will provide you with a superbill, an itemized form listing healthcare services rendered, which you must submit directly to your insurance provider to request reimbursement. This is a common way to have insurance to pay for out-of-network benefits. Approval for reimbursement as well as rates will depend on the terms of your insurance policy. We encourage you to call your insurance provider to better understand these terms before beginning the group.
Who will be facilitating the group?
WILA’s Women’s Trauma groups are facilitated by pre-licensed therapists enrolled in WILA’s Psychology Internship and Postgraduate Fellowship. The facilitators are supervised by licensed mental health professionals on WILA’s Teaching and Supervising Faculty with input from WILA’s Executive Director, Michele Gomes, Psy.D.
Where does the group take place?
WILA’s Women’s Trauma groups are conducted virtually online via Zoom.
I’m a clinician and would like to refer to the group. Who do I contact?
We welcome referrals and ideas for potential collaborations. WILA’s Women’s Trauma group is ideal as an adjunctive group therapy experience for women you are seeing in individual treatment. Participation in group therapy can reduce isolation and increase relatedness by bringing together individuals struggling with similar issues. We offer a free telephone consultation with you and a free in-depth consultation via Zoom with your client. Call (424) 371-5191 and request to speak to a trauma group leader.
What is WILA’s mission?
WILA is at the forefront of a therapy movement, changing the ways people are treated when they need help but are held back by financial, cultural and systemic barriers. We serve the diverse communities of Los Angeles by providing affordable high-quality psychotherapy services while training the next generation of socially conscious mental health professionals. [Learn More]