Group Psychotherapy With a Polish-Speaking Therapist in NJ
Group psychotherapy is a form of treatment in which several people meet regularly with a trained therapist to work on their difficulties together. Irena Bartman-Fila, LCSW, completed formal group psychotherapy training in Teaneck, NJ, in 2000, and has provided group therapy in New Jersey since 1997.
Many people carry the conviction that their problem is unique, that no one else feels this way, and that talking about it would only bring shame. Then they sit in a room with others and hear their own thoughts spoken by someone else. That moment, "I am not the only one", is often where change begins.
Group psychotherapy uses exactly this experience. It is not a support chat or a lecture. It is a structured form of treatment led by a qualified therapist, in which the group itself becomes a place to learn about yourself, your reactions and your relationships with others. Group psychotherapy has been part of the practice of Irena Bartman-Fila, LCSW, MSW, PSW, alongside individual work, since 1997.
What group psychotherapy is
In group psychotherapy, a small number of people meet regularly with a therapist. Each person brings their own experience, and the group works on what happens both in their lives and in the room itself: how members react to each other, what they avoid, where they feel understood or misunderstood.
The therapist's role is to create a safe setting, keep the work focused and help the group use what emerges. That requires specific training. Leading a group is a different skill from individual therapy, because the therapist has to follow several people and the dynamics between them at the same time.
Group therapy can help with many of the same difficulties treated individually, such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, relationship problems and addiction. It is especially valuable for people who feel isolated, who find it hard to open up to others, or who repeat the same patterns in relationships and want to understand why.
Training and experience in group work
Irena Bartman-Fila's preparation for group work draws on training in both countries. In Poland, she completed a two-year psychotherapy training program at the Institute for Health and Sobriety, led by Prof. Jerzy Mellibruda of the Polish Psychological Association. She was one of three people who finished it qualified as co-therapists at the national level.
In the United States, she completed formal training in group psychotherapy at a psychoanalytic institute in Teaneck, New Jersey, in 2000. She has run her private practice in individual and group psychotherapy in New Jersey since 1997.
Her background in addiction treatment also shaped her understanding of groups. In 1986 she inspired the founding of the "Aquarius" sobriety club in Poland, which later became an Alcoholics Anonymous group. More about her path is on the about page.
Interested in group therapy? Call 973-748-5302 (office) or 862-668-5571 (cell) to arrange an initial consultation.
How joining a group works
Joining a group starts with an individual consultation. During this meeting she assesses your situation, asks about your difficulties, your health and any previous treatment, and names the problem you want to work on. You learn what the diagnosis is and what form of treatment is recommended.
On that basis, she decides together with you whether group work is a good fit right now, whether it is better to begin with individual sessions, or whether the two can be combined. Availability of a group is discussed after the initial consultation, because the right group depends on each person's needs.
Before joining, you will hear the principles of the group, such as confidentiality and respect for other members. These rules protect everyone and make honest work possible. You never have to share more than you are ready to.
Why the group leader's qualifications matter
A group can be a powerful source of support, but it can also stir up difficult emotions. Someone needs to recognize when a member is in crisis, when individual help or a medical consultation is needed, and how to keep the group safe for everyone. That is the work of a clinically trained therapist.
Clinical training, an LCSW license and formal training in group psychotherapy mean that each member is assessed before joining, knows what they are working on, and is referred to a physician, for example a psychiatrist, when needed. Learn how to verify a therapist's license on the first visit page.
Group or individual therapy?
Neither is better in general. Individual therapy gives more space for your personal story and is often the right place to start, especially in an acute crisis. Group therapy adds something individual sessions cannot: real-time feedback from other people and the chance to try new ways of relating in a safe setting.
Many people benefit from both, at the same time or one after the other. If you are not sure which is right for you, that question is a good topic for the first consultation. Read more about individual psychotherapy or about addiction treatment.
Have a question?
Do I have to talk about everything in front of the group?
No, you decide what and how much to share, and when. Many people listen more at first and speak more as trust grows. The therapist makes sure no one is pressured. Even listening has value, because hearing others describe similar struggles often makes your own easier to understand.
Is what I say in a group kept confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the basic rules of every group. Members agree that what is said in the room stays in the room. The therapist is bound by professional confidentiality. You can ask about these rules, and about the exceptions the law provides for, during your initial consultation.
How do I know if group therapy is right for me?
That is decided at the initial individual consultation. She assesses your situation, explains your diagnosis and the recommended form of treatment, and discusses with you whether a group fits your needs now, later, or alongside individual sessions. You do not have to decide this on your own beforehand.
In what language are groups held?
Irena Bartman-Fila works in Polish, English and Russian. The language of a particular group, and whether a suitable group is available for you, is discussed after the initial consultation. For many people, being able to speak in their native language is what makes opening up possible.
Visits are by appointment
The first step is a conversation.
Office: 207 Broad Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003. Phone: 973-748-5302, cell: 862-668-5571. If no one answers, leave your name, number and the time of your call, and she will call you back.