Princeton Group Support Center
GROUP CONTRACT AND
INFORMATION PACKET
Logistics and Information
All groups are held at the Princeton Group Support Center: 88 Orchard Road, first floor, Skillman, NJ 08558 (Next to the Princeton Center for Yoga and Health)
ARRIVING ON TIME
- It is essential that everyone arrives at least five minutes early. We will have a full agenda every session and we will start on time. When someone comes in late, it disrupts the flow of the group (especially if we are beginning with mindfulness meditation or some other practice) and we lose time having to fill that member in on the conversation. It is every member's responsibility to plan for traffic, child care and other things that might delay you. We can’t stress how important this is! If you come late and there is a meditation or exercise at the beginning of the group, the door will be locked so as not to disturb the other members and you will be asked to wait until the meditation is complete and the door is opened.
Please Note: Our building is very accoustically sensitive, so please bear this in mind while you are in the waiting area. We ask that you kindly take any phone calls outside.
LENGTH OF GROUP
- Groups for children, teens and young adults are either twelve weeks in duration or ongoing, and each group is 1 hour. The majority of our adult groups are ongoing with no set end date, and each group runs for 1 1/2 hours. This allows members to work at their own pace and to go as deeply into the work as they want or need to.
- In our groups, prospective members are coming with the intention of not only resolving particular symptoms but of making more substantial changes in their lives. These groups form very strong bonds and incoming members are asked to make a long term commitment. It is difficult for the group when a member leaves and a new member joins. Some have described this as "like losing a family member." As an example, most members of our heart groups at Beth Israel in New York have been coming every week for more than ten years. As one member recently put it "This group is my lifeline, it gives me the support and guidance I need to maintain a healthy lifestyle", and another member said "I can talk about things here that I wouldn't dream of sharing anywhere else, not even with my wife or best friend."
GOALS OF THE GROUP
- Most Princeton Group Support Center groups combine four elements: cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal group support therapy, mindfulness training, and lifestyle modification.
All groups have their own specific goals and share the following general goals:
- To reduce, eliminate, or manage the symptoms of your particular diagnosis (anxiety, depression, anger management, etc.).
- To learn techniques that help you reduce and manage feelings of anxiety and stress. To make deep connections with others in similar circumstances by focusing on the feelings that connect us. All group members are discouraged from making judgments, being critical, or giving advice to other participants. In stead Active listening, empathy and other communication skills are taught and encouraged so as to create as safe and trusting an environment as possible.
- To learn how to live more mindfully in the present moment with greater awareness, acceptance, and compassion. To develop individualized sets of goals for the purpose of achieving the skills that will lead to a lasting sense of happiness. These may include exercise, nutritional, and stress management goals as well as successful goal planning, time management and interpersonal communication skills.
JOINING A GROUP
- In order for any group experience to be successful and to feel enjoyable and safe, two things are essential. First, there must be a full disclosure to each candidate about how the group functions and what is expected of them. Second, there must be a clear understanding of the role and responsibilities of the group leader. This ensures that everyone is clear and on the same page with respect to format, goals, expectations, and approach. Each candidate must be evaluated to assess whether they are appropriate for and in agreement with the goals and purposes of the group and are able to function and benefit from being in a group setting (as opposed to a different group or individual counseling). Knowing that everyone goes through this screening process ensures a feeling of safety in the group and a strong sense of common purpose and commitment.
- To this end, once you express interest in our program we will set up an initial 1 hour assessment for you with one of our licensed therapists. We will ask you to fill out forms, including detailed information about the groups, a medical and psychological history and a health questionnaire. You may submit these forms online at Princetongroupsupportcenter.com (go to "Your First Visit").
- Before your appointment, if you have insurance coverage, we ask that you call your company and confirm your benefits. We also request that you send a copy of your insurance card, front and back, as well as your date of birth to Carolyn Wallace, (our Billing Manager), at Carolyn@princetongroupsupportcenter.com who will also call your insurance provider to confirm your benefits (what will be covered, any deductibles, etc.). While at PGSC, you may contact Carolyn if you have any billing questions or concerns and she will get back to you promptly.
- During the assessment, we will conduct a general mental health assessment to determine if the group will best meet your needs, explain how the groups function and what’s expected of each participant as well as a full explanation of how the group operates and what you can expect from the leader of the group.
- After your assessment we will either confirm your participation in the group or we will explain why we feel the group may not be the right vehicle for you at this time and recommend you either to another group or to individual counseling or both.
- Before you schedule this appointment we ask that you look over all the information carefully, that you know the date and time of the group you are interested in, when it meets and most important, that you can make the ongoing time commitment required to join one of our groups. By attending this assessment interview we will expect that you are prepared to join the group immediately if you are selected.
- The selection of group members is as or more important than any part of the group development process. Members are selected on the basis of the following:
- An individual must meet the minimal criteria for group participation as defined by the American Group Psychotherapy Association’s inclusion and exclusion criteria.
- An individual must have appropriate diagnosis or symptom profile for a particular groups focus. For example, the candidate has social anxiety symptoms if joining a social anxiety group.
- The candidate must be deemed a good fit with other members. For example, a 35-year-old male client would not be selected for entry into an all-women’s group dealing with sexual abuse or an adolescent group dealing with ADHD issues.
Finances and Insurance
GROUP COST
- The fee for the initial assessment is $100.00 for teen and young adult groups and $200.00 for adult groups.
- Some groups & assessments are covered by insurance.
- The cost for teen and young adult groups is $600.00 for twelve sessions and is payable in advance, or through three monthly installments of $200.00.
- The cost for adult groups is $300.00 dollars per month ($75.00 per session) for four monthly sessions. Sessions include a 1 hour group ($50.00) and thirty minutes of mindfulness training ($25.00). Because insurance companies do not reimburse for stress management, we can only submit the $50.00 group fee to your insurance company. Therefore, your total out of pocket payment for each group will be the sum total of $25.00 for the stress management component and whatever your copay is on the $ $50.00 group component. In summary, depending on your insurance, your total out of pocket can be $25.00-$75.00 per session.
- Payments for the groups are made monthly and vary depending on your insurance. A deposit of $200.00 for child, teen & young adult groups and $300.00 for adult groups is required to hold your space and will be credited towards future payments.
- We accept credit cards, checks and cash as forms of payment. All checks should be made payable to Princeton Group Support Center.
- All payments can be made by sending a check directly to:
Princeton Group Support Center
88 Orchard Road, Suite 5
Skillman, NJ 08558
Important Note: Adult Groups meet four times per month. When there are five sessions in a given month there will be no session on the fifth week. However, the fifth week may be used for make up sessios as when a group falls on a holiday or for another reason must be rescheduled. If the fifth week is not available for a makeup, the best alternative day will be chosen by the therapist as a makeup.
FINANCIAL AID
- We appreciate that these have been difficult times for many of our clients. We keep our rates very low when compared to similar programs in the area (typically $100.00-$200.00 dollars per session and very few accept insurance). Nevertheless, an additional reduction will be available for those who are suffering financial hardship. For our records, please submit a one paragraph explanation of why you are requesting assistance.
INSURANCE
- We handle all in-network insurance claims for you. If you are out of network, we will still be happy to submit your insurance claims for you as a courtesy. However, you will be responsible for the full $50.00 or $75.00 fee for each session and will be reimbursed directly by your insurance company. In the rare instance that your insurance company sends us your check, we will immediately credit that amount to your balance.
- Once again, before joining this or any medical or mental health program you should always check with your insurance carrier to be clear about what kind of reimbursement to expect. Understanding your insurance is always your responsibility and not the responsibility of your providers.
- Please note that insurance companies do not reimburse for missed sessions. If you have to miss a session for any reason, you will be responsible for the full payment of that session.
- THERE ARE NO REIMBURSEMENTS FOR MISSED GROUP SESSIONS.
When you register, you are signing up for a monthly program which guarantees you 1 of only 6-8 spaces available for each group. If you are not able to make a class, it is impossible to fill your seat given the nature of the group process. Charging you for a missed session is not personal or punitive. It is the only way our program can remain viable.
- In case of absence please try to notify your group leader at least twenty-four hours in advance (they will give you their cell phone number when you join). If you can't reach your group leader, you can leave a message at our office at 908-431-5254. It is essential that you use one of these methods to notify us so that we know you are not coming and that you are not in need of assistance. When a member is out due to a serious illness, other members may want to reach out to that person to offer emotional or even practical support.
30 Days Notice of Termination
When a member leaves a group it is "an event". These are strong relationships. If you must leave a group, please give yourself and your groupmates thirty days notice so you and they can process your leaving. If thirty days notice is not given, we will charge you for the entire next calendar month.
HOLIDAYS
The Center is closed on the following holidays:
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day,
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day,
Thanksgiving Day
Memorial Day
July 4th
Labor day
• Groups will not meet on these holidays. Makeup days will be scheduled on another night as close to the session as possible(see above "important note").
• Groups will meet on all other holidays.
COMMON QUESTIONS
How many people are in the group?
Group size varies from 5-10 members. New groups can start with as few as four members.
Do we always have to talk in the group?
Our goal is for you to get the most out of your group experience. To accomplish this, we encourage you to be a full participant in the group process. This means being a good listener, discussing your feelings and thoughts in the group, and treating other members respectfully. However, everyone’s process is different and everyone learns in their own way and in their own time. Therefore, it is up to you to go at your own pace and we will never force anyone to speak.
Are members encouraged to meet outside of the group?
Generally, we discourage meeting outside of the group for several reasons. The group must be a totally safe and special place where anything can be discussed openly and honestly. When members meet outside the group, cliques and even romantic involvements can sometimes develop among members and this almost always has a negative impact on the group space as well as the individuals involved. After the group has met for a substantial amount of time and trust has been built, there may be exceptions made to this guideline. For example, if the whole group decides to have a holiday dinner together, this can facilitate the depth of the group relationships in a positive way.
What should I wear?
While it’s not essential, try to wear comfortable clothes that you can do light stretching in.
Is it ok to bring food to the group?
No eating or drinking (except water) is permitted during the group. It becomes a distraction to other members.
Are there changing rooms at the center?
There is one bathroom large enough for changing but we ask you not to count on that being available for changing on a regular basis.
I have read, understand and agree to abide by the rules, requirements and practices as laid down in this document.