Anonymous Support Groups

what you'll get

Free sessions

Mental health is more important than ever—which is why these sessions are free right now

Effective strategies

Learn effective tools and strategies for common concerns from licensed therapists and mental health professionals

Privacy

You’ll have the option to be completely anonymous by using an alias or turning off your camera

Feeling together

You’ll be with other people who have concerns and experiences similar to yours

how it works

taking the first step is easy

Reserve a session

Find a topic and time that works for you. Each session is capped at 15 people, so don’t wait too long to book it.

Submit your questions

Prior to the session, you’ll receive a form where you can ask anonymous questions related to the session topic. The therapist will use these questions to guide the discussion.

Listen, learn and chat

During the session, the therapist will provide helpful strategies and tools, moderate a group discussion, and answer real-time questions.

what we’ll cover together

we’re here for you—with new sessions added every week

We’ll add new session topics and time slots based on what’s working for you. Here are the kinds of topics you can expect:

Trouble Sleeping

Difficulty motivating & focusing

Coping with coronavirus

Relationship questions

Managing anxiety

Mindfulness & meditation

what to look out for

upcoming support group sessions

Every other Monday, 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM PT // 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM ET

Meditation for Beginners: Finding Your Calm

Led by: Ian Albert

Summary: Ever want to try meditation but don’t know where to start? Join Ian, who’s studied meditation for two decades, for a lively session on the essential practices of meditation. You’ll learn about what it means to cultivate mindfulness and mental stability, and how becoming present with our bodies and breath can help reset the nervous system to alleviate stress and anxiety. This session includes several short guided meditations.

Every other Monday, 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM PT // 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM ET

Meditation for All Levels: Staying Sane in Tough Times

Led by: Ian Albert

Summary: Maybe something changed at work. Maybe it’s something in the news. Whether it’s on a personal level or something bigger, we often find ourselves facing things we can’t control. Meditation helps us cultivate inner mental and emotional stability to better respond to events like this, rather than feel at the mercy of them. Suitable for all levels, this series is a great way to relax, develop mindfulness, and stay connected. Ian will share new topics each week—so feel free to join more than once. This session includes several short guided meditations.

Mondays, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM PT // 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET

Fostering Resilience and Self Care

Led by: Sara Skonieczny

Summary: When life knocks us down, it can feel hard to get back up and return to something that feels normal again. In this session, you'll learn tips to reframe how to think about things that are out of your control. You'll also hear about ways you can make sure to prioritize your wellbeing when it feels like things around you are spinning.

Every other Tuesday, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM PT // 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM ET

Self-Compassion: Reframe How You Treat Yourself

Led by: Sally Scheidlinger

Summary: Negative self-talk can be pervasive and debilitating, especially during this time of social distancing and isolation. Even in quarantine, people seem to keep posting on social media about their productivity and motivation. This can lead to feelings of shame if you don't have the energy or emotional ability to do the same. These feelings then decrease motivation, causing a painful cycle. In this session, we'll discuss practicing self-compassion and the art of reworking your internal monologues to treat yourself in a gentler, more understanding manner.

Every other Tuesday, 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM PT // 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM ET

Goal-Getter: Bust Negative Thinking Habits with CBT

Led by: Sally Scheidlinger

Summary: "I didn't do enough today." "I'm not smart enough for this." Ever have thoughts like this? Negative thinking patterns can creep up on us, especially when we're feeling isolated. While these thoughts are often not grounded in reality, they can have a big impact on how you feel. In this session, you'll learn to apply lessons from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—a short-term, goal-oriented form of therapy—to reframe negative thinking behaviors. You'll also learn exercises you can use at home.

Every other Tuesday, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM PT // 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM ET

Finding Your Focus and Motivation

Led by: Jody Radtke

Summary: Why is staying home so hard? Maybe it's kids running around, or maybe it's a thousand pings at work. We're distracted. We feel irritable. We're overwhelmed. And that's all normal. In this session, we'll explore what impacts our attention and how our mind and body work in response to heightened stress states. You'll also learn about tools to regain your center and clear your head.

Every other Tuesday, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM PT // 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM ET

Feeling Tired? Let's Get Some Sleep

Led by: Jody Radtke

Summary: Imagine what it feels like to have a great night of sleep: We wake up feeling rested, rejuvenated, and ready to tackle the day. But when we don't get enough quality sleep, it can throw off our whole day at home and work. If you feel like this, you're not alone. Millions of American adults have trouble sleeping most nights. In this session, you'll discover common sleep challenges and proven methods to quiet your mind, fall asleep faster, and stay asleep longer.

Wednesdays, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PT // 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET

Using Mindfulness for Anxiety

Led by: Lindsay Kandra

Summary: If you're feeling more stressed or tense lately, you're not alone. This session will cover the basics of mindfulness: Why it works, how it helps with anxiety, and how to pick the practices that work best for you. We’ll cover a variety of easy practices that can be added to your daily routine and will finish with an extended gentle, movement-based practice to leave you feeling calm, grounded, and focused.

Wednesdays, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PT // 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET

Winter Won't Hold Us Back

Led by: Jody Radtke

Summary: The pandemic. Unrelenting headlines. Colder weather. Shorter days. Longer nights. Winter won't be easy for any of us this year, but you can actually take steps to build your winter resilience—and it's never been more important. In this session, we'll explore different practices and frameworks that you can use to be better prepared for the season. Each week will cover a unique lens to apply to your current situation, with steps you can take right away for a stronger, more resilient outlook.

Every other Thursday, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM PT // 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM ET

Buh-Bye, Winter Blues

Led by: Lindsay Kandra

Summary: Are you feeling your mood change as the seasons change? Are the shorter days and lack of sunlight hitting you hard? Millions of people go through Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), commonly felt as depression that starts in the winter. This session will explore why our moods change with the seasons and provide some tools and tricks to better tackle the winter months.

Thursdays, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM PT // 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM ET

Using Mindfulness for Depression

Led by: Lindsay Kandra

Summary: Learn the basics of using mindfulness to help with depression: Why it works, how it helps with depression, and how to find the motivation to practice when life seems overwhelming. We’ll go over a variety of techniques and will finish with an extended beginner-friendly practice that will leave you feeling awake, invigorated, and motivated.

Fridays, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PT // 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET

Stars, Stripes, and Stress: An Election Anxiety Guide

Led by: Lindsay Kandra

Summary: Those feelings of dread you've been having about the 2020 election? Totally normal. So many people are feeling mounting stress, and that's only complicated by the fact that those feelings probably won't end at midnight on November 3rd. This session covers the basic mechanics of trauma, depression, and anxiety to help you better understand what you're feeling. You'll walk away with practical, mindfulness-based tips for staying grounded while staying informed. // This session doesn't depend on your political affiliation, and you won't be asked to share it.

Fridays, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PT // 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET

Relationships in the Time of Coronavirus

Led by: Diana Benjamin

Summary: The stress of coronavirus affects our relationships. From financial uncertainty to lack of personal space, couples are cooped up together—and may be starting to fray at the edges. Long-term issues are amplified, and new ones are bubbling up. Learn how to manage your relationship in this higher-pressure environment.

who’s leading the sessions

licensed therapists with proven methods

You’ll be hearing from experienced, licensed therapists and mental health professionals with proven methods who are experts in providing effective tools and strategies. Empathetic, friendly and professional, they’re trained to guide group discussion so that everyone gets the most of the session.

Jody Radtke

MA, LPC

Lindsay Kandra

LPC-Intern, QMHP

Sally Scheidlinger

LMSW

who should consider it

not sure if anonymous support groups are for you?

This is a different approach to online mental health, so we understand if you’re hesitant to try it. If it’s helpful, we find these types of people will benefit from it the most.

People totally new to therapy who want to get a feel for what it could be like and avoid expensive upfront commitments

People who have some experience with therapy, but want to feel connected to others with similar concerns and experiences

People who are feeling increased levels of stress as a result of world events and uncontrollable situations

why we’re doing this

Investing in our mental health is often put on the backburner, because it’s too expensive or too inconvenient. But with the COVID-19 global pandemic, stress and anxiety are becoming everyday issues for millions of us. Hims & Hers is committed to helping people deal with their stress and anxiety, which is why they’re now offering anonymous support groups. Our mission has always been to help people handle their hard-to-talk-about issues—and offering accessible mental health products from home is yet another example of that.

Dr. Patrick Carroll

Chief Medical Officer, Hims & Hers

741-741

If you're in emotional distress, text HOME to connect with a counselor immediately

911

If you're having a medical or mental health emergency, call 911 or go to your local ER

all the answers

frequently asked questions about anonymous support groups

What is group therapy?

Group therapy is a kind of psychotherapy where a therapist (or therapists) treat a small group of clients together as a group. Participants gather periodically and share information via questions and answers and learn from the experiences of each other. Group therapy is often available locally in live settings (the traditional way) and more recently as an online experience enabled by technology. Online group therapy connects participants via video or text and can offer more flexibility, such as the opportunity to search for and try more groups or participate anonymously without video.

What are support groups?

Support groups connect people around a particular shared issue so that they can learn from each other. Often, the shared issue poses a significant burden and the common goal of the group is to cope and live better. For some, support groups may satisfy emotional needs and provide coping ideas without engaging in a formal type of mental health treatment.

Support groups stand in contrast to group therapy, which is a specific type of mental health treatment that connects individuals with similar conditions under the guidance of a licensed mental health care provider.

Currently, we offer access to online support group sessions that are facilitated with licensed therapists. We believe that extending access to support groups with a licensed therapist facilitator improves the value of our offering and makes it unique.

What is the method of therapy used in support groups?

While support groups are not therapy, the therapists and mental health professionals leading the groups on the Hims & Hers platforms have years of experience. During the session, the therapist or mental health professional will provide helpful strategies and tips, moderate the group's discussion, and answer real-time questions that are relevant to your topic (you can submit anonymous questions beforehand). On top of that, you can grow by learning how individuals in the group have navigated common concerns.

How long are support group sessions?

These support group sessions are typically about 1 hour in duration, though we offer a variety to suit different needs. You are welcome to leave the session for any reason and you may sign up for as many sessions per day as you like.

How much do support group sessions cost?

Group sessions are typically $15/session but we will offer them free of charge for the foreseeable future during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How are support group sessions anonymous?

You can choose to be anonymous to other participants by using an alias and turning off your camera during the session.

How is my privacy protected in online support groups?

For starters, your privacy is protected in the online setting vs. the group because you don't physically have to share a room. From the comfort of home, you can choose to leave your camera off and leave your image out of it.

Am I allowed to just listen and not talk?

Yes, you’re allowed to listen into the session and aren’t required to talk. We know that people are at different points in their mental health journey and have different levels of comfort readily opening up in front of others. If your style is to listen and observe to get the best use of the session, you can absolutely do that.

Are these sessions gender-specific?

Currently, these sessions are available across Hims & Hers and are open for anyone to join. That said, we know certain mental health topics may be particularly sensitive and people may prefer to participate with others of the same gender. We will continue to evaluate this and may offer gender-specific sessions in the future.

What happens if another group member is being disruptive or offensive?

We expect all participants of anonymous support group sessions to be courteous of others and conduct themselves with the right etiquette. Please be sure to show respect both to the leader of the session and fellow group members. Make sure to take turns talking or using the chat and treat others how you would want to be treated. In the event that someone is intentionally trolling the group or being disruptive, the therapist or mental health professional will be able to remove that person from the session.

Can you get free relationship advice?

Potentially. Online support groups can cover a large and diverse range of topics, including personal and romantic relationships.

If you have a relationship issue that you’d like to talk about in the anonymous support group setting, you can submit it prior to your group session and talk about it with the group. We ask that you keep these types of questions within the session topics that are relevant.

more treatments to take care of yourself

what you'll get

Free sessions

Effective strategies

Privacy

Feeling together

taking the first step is easy

Reserve a session

Submit your questions

Listen, learn and chat

we’re here for you—with new sessions added every week

upcoming support group sessions

Meditation for Beginners: Finding Your Calm

Meditation for All Levels: Staying Sane in Tough Times

Fostering Resilience and Self Care

Self-Compassion: Reframe How You Treat Yourself

Goal-Getter: Bust Negative Thinking Habits with CBT

Finding Your Focus and Motivation

Feeling Tired? Let's Get Some Sleep

Using Mindfulness for Anxiety

Winter Won't Hold Us Back

Buh-Bye, Winter Blues

Using Mindfulness for Depression

Stars, Stripes, and Stress: An Election Anxiety Guide

Relationships in the Time of Coronavirus

licensed therapists with proven methods

not sure if anonymous support groups are for you?

741-741

911

frequently asked questions about anonymous support groups

What is group therapy?

What are support groups?

What is the method of therapy used in support groups?

How long are support group sessions?

How much do support group sessions cost?

How are support group sessions anonymous?

How is my privacy protected in online support groups?

Am I allowed to just listen and not talk?

Are these sessions gender-specific?

What happens if another group member is being disruptive or offensive?

Can you get free relationship advice?

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