Group Harm Reduction Therapy

What if you could improve your relationship with drugs and alcohol your way?

Drug Harm Reduction and Alcohol Harm Reduction is different from the more commonly discussed 12 step or other abstinence based meetings or perspectives you might be familiar with.

With Group Harm Reduction Therapy, you get more than you came for.

“When I came to the group, I was just thinking that I was going to learn 1 or 2 ways how to not overdose but, I have walked away with so much more. I now know how to manage my use, how to see the signs for when I need to start taking different actions regarding my use and how to be less hard on myself for being a substance user.” – Anonymous You Rule Group Harm Reduction Therapy Client

There is hope. You can hack your relationship with drugs and alcohol.

When you choose Group Harm Reduction Therapy as your tool for improving your wellbeing, you change your relationship with drugs and alcohol. Instead of quitting altogether and feeling as if you have misbehaved if you slip up (which often causes a person to give up improving their relationship to substances). 

Group Harm Reduction Therapy allows you to:

• set short and long-term goals regarding substance use 

• learn about the substances that you would like to change your relationship to

• design a plan to change the way you use substances

All without using cookie-cutter approaches that don’t work for everyone.

Group Therapy 

• has often been cited as the treatment of choice for those dealing with substance misuse   

• allows members to relate to others

• reduces the isolation, depression, anxiety, and shame that can accompany substance misuse   

• helps members more effectively express their feelings, receive support from those with similar issues, and learn new information about the substances they are struggling with. 

Make lasting change

Group members support one another in making lasting changes regarding substance use. No judgment or ridicule- just support from others who understand you and your desire to improve your quality of life. 

Any Positive Change

In Harm Reduction Therapy, the motto is “any positive change” because even the tiniest improvement is an improvement from which more significant improvements can be made. 

Address all the areas of your life related to substance abuse:

• Relationships

• Work issues

• Emotional pain Anxiety or Depression 

• Social problems

Respectful and effective group therapy in a discreet and confidential private practice setting. Groups are small, with 6-8 participants. In Group Harm Reduction Therapy, you’ll be supported for your strengths and encouraged to share your concerns with the group. 

Come as you are

Members are supported to come as they are- whether or not you have recently used substances. The point of Harm Reduction Therapy is to find your way of improving your relationship to substances- not to be judged  for your actions. 

Participants are looking for assistance in either moderating or abstaining from: 

• Alcohol

• Cannabis

• Speed

• Ketamine

• Cocaine

• Opiates 

• Other recreational drugs

San Francisco Group Harm Reduction Therapy, Los Angeles Group Harm Reduction Therapy, and Virtual Group Harm Reduction Therapy are available. 

While You Rule is located in San Francisco and provides Group Harm Reduction Therapy for those local to the area, we also provide group therapy in an online setting in California to help more people improve their lives, relationships, and relationships to substances. 

We work from the belief that personal and social history can affect a person’s feelings about themselves, coping strategies, and relationships.

Through Group Harm Reduction Therapy at You Rule Therapy, you’ll discover connections and patterns and cultivate insight, allowing you to gain a better understanding of your history with drugs and alcohol. From this understanding, you can let go of your negative beliefs about yourself and practice self-compassion. Without which, change can be difficult at best. 

Harm Reduction Therapy accepts that those who misuse alcohol and other drugs can better understand their use patterns and make significant changes to improve their lives. The Harm Reduction groups are an alternative to AA and other traditional treatment models, which you might have attempted and found too constraining, leaving you feeling lost and hopeless. Group Harm Reduction Therapy could be the tool you need to make lasting changes in your relationship with substances and improve your overall psychological well being.

This group welcomes clients across gender and sexuality spectrums, as well as those who engage in consensual sexual behaviors including but not limited to kink and polyamory. The facilitator(s) are committed to the continual pursuit of culturally responsive care. 

If you’re ready to try Group Harm Reduction Therapy and change your relationship with drugs and alcohol, email us  at youruletherapy@gmail.com.

For upcoming events, check out our events page.

The following groups are provided:

8 week Psycho-educational Group

This program teaches various harm reduction strategies including the stages of change, "drug, set, setting" analysis, drug and alcohol education, dealing with the inner critic, family dynamics, and moderate goal setting, to name a few.  The topics are designed to increase your awareness of your substance use and come away with strategies to better reach your substance use goals. Cynthia utilizes and teaches CBT, DBT and Mindfulness skills. This group meets on Monday evenings from 5:30pm to 7pm.

Assessments are $250. and are to be completed before joining a group. Groups are $85 per session.

Ongoing Harm Reduction Support Groups

This program is designed to provide additional support for clients who have completed the 

8-Week Harm Reduction Psycho-educational Group or have had previous experience with harm reduction therapy. We go into more depth regarding substance use strategies, check-ins and goals. Everyone is encouraged to share their experiences with their struggles to moderate or abstain from substance use so that they can work toward a more healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. This group  meets on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7pm and there is a second group from 7:10 to 8:30pm.

Assessments are $250 and are to be completed before joining a group.  Groups are $70 per session.