Recent research continues to affirm something we’ve believed from the start at Lucent Recovery and Wellness: healing happens in community.

A 2023 study conducted in Chicago public schools found that young women who participated in trauma-informed group therapy saw a 22% reduction in PTSD symptoms, with similar drops in anxiety and depression. The takeaway? Group-based mental health care can be incredibly effective especially when delivered in a safe, structured environment with trusted facilitators.

This kind of data matters. But for us, it simply reinforces what we see every day in our Austin-based programs: when people feel seen, supported, and connected they begin to heal.

Why We Center Group Work in Our Care Model

At Lucent Recovery and Wellness, we offer an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) that’s grounded in trauma-informed principles and powered by human connection. While we provide one-on-one therapy and holistic wellness coaching, group therapy is the heart of what we do.

We’ve seen the magic that unfolds when someone shares their truth in a room full of people who simply nod, listen, and say, “Me too.” Group sessions allow clients to move through shame, rewire long-held beliefs, and realize they’re not alone in their pain.

As one client told us recently,

“This is the first place I’ve felt safe enough to speak without hiding. Hearing others share gave me the courage to show up fully.”

Our Approach: Clinical + Communal

Our group therapy model is designed to blend evidence-based techniques with deep relational work. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Small group sizes (typically 6–8 participants) with a 1:4 facilitator-to-client ratio

• A blend of modalities including DBT, EMDR-informed processing, somatic practices, expressive arts, mindfulness, and body-based work

• Ongoing cohorts where clients grow alongside familiar faces

• Evening virtual groups to ensure access for working adults and caregivers

• A dedicated focus on peer support and lived experience because sometimes the most powerful healing happens when someone who’s been there shares their truth

We also invite trained alumni to support new clients, creating a ripple effect of mutual growth and empowerment. Many of our peer mentors say this role became a key part of their ongoing recovery journey.

A New Kind of Mental Health Experience

Too often, mental health treatment can feel cold, clinical, or overly individualistic. At Lucent, we believe in creating a space that’s both structured and soft where people can explore the roots of their pain while being supported by a consistent group of compassionate humans.

This isn’t just about symptom reduction. It’s about rebuilding trust. It’s about learning how to be in relationship again. It’s about remembering that we were never meant to do this alone.

“I didn’t think healing in a group would work for me,” one former client admitted. “But now, I can’t imagine going through this journey any other way. I found my people here.”

More Than a Program A Community

We’re proud to say that many clients who complete our program continue to stay connected to us, to one another, and to themselves. That’s the power of group-based healing: it creates lasting bonds that extend far beyond the therapy room.

In a state like Texas, where access to care remains a serious challenge, we believe group therapy offers an underutilized yet deeply effective path forward. It’s affordable. It’s scalable. And, most importantly it works.

We’re not just offering services. We’re building a community.

If You’re Struggling, You’re Not Alone

Whether you’re navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, or simply feeling stuck there’s space for you here. A space to be seen. A space to be heard. A space to begin again.

Lucent Recovery and Wellness is here to walk alongside you.

Let’s heal together.

Learn more about our group-based IOP at lucentrecovery.com