Social Therapy: Healing, Growing, and Creating Together
Social Therapy is our primary modality and is available online or in-person at our NYC location in Midtown West/Times Square.
People who are in emotional pain, struggling with relationships or family issues, or feeling stuck in life don’t have to navigate it alone. In social therapy, healing happens with others. Instead of facing struggles in isolation, you join a supportive community—a therapy group made up of people from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ages—where everyone plays a role in creating an environment for growth.
One of the most powerful discoveries of social therapy is that while we experience pain as individuals, we grow and develop emotionally through our relationships with others. Unlike traditional therapy, which focuses on the individual self, social therapy shifts the focus to the group—to how we relate, listen, support, and challenge each other. Because in reality, we don’t exist in isolation—we exist in the world, with others.
What is Social Therapy?
A Revolutionary Approach to Emotional Growth
Founded by philosopher, psychotherapist, and playwright Fred Newman, PhD, social therapy emerged from the progressive, humanistic movements of the 1960s and ’70s. Today, it remains at the forefront of performance-based, relational psychology, challenging traditional psychology’s focus on the individual and behavior management. Instead, it emphasizes growth through collective activity—playing with our assumptions, tapping into our creativity, and actively creating ourselves and, in turn, the world.
Social therapy has inspired hundreds of practitioners, researchers, and theoreticians, and is the subject of numerous academic and popular texts. To learn more about the philosophy and methodology of social therapy, visit the East Side Institute.
Supportive Environments for Growth
We offer both in-person and virtual social therapy for anyone who lives or works in New York State. If you’re ready to take the next step, contact us today or use online booking to schedule an initial consultation.
Social Therapy Q&A
Why Social Therapy?
Traditional therapy often focuses on the individual—helping people manage emotions, change behaviors, or cope with personal struggles. But human beings don’t exist in isolation. We live, grow, and face challenges together—in families, friendships, workplaces, and communities. That’s why social therapy takes a different approach.
Rather than centering therapy on the individual, social therapy focuses on the group—a dynamic space where people build relationships, create change, and develop emotionally with others. It recognizes that our struggles don’t just come from within; they are shaped by the world around us. And the best way to transform our lives is not alone, but with others who are also growing and changing.
What Makes Social Therapy Different?
1. Life is Relational
We are social beings, and our emotional struggles—whether anxiety, loneliness, or self-doubt—are deeply connected to our relationships. In social therapy, healing happens through engaging with others, sharing experiences, and learning new ways to connect. The group provides a space where you don’t just talk about your struggles—you actively create new ways of being in the world.
2. Growth is Performative
We don’t just “discover” who we are—we create it. Children develop through play and performance, trying on new roles as they grow. Social therapy applies this same principle to adulthood, helping you experiment with new ways of relating, thinking, and responding to challenges. In a supportive group, you can practice stepping outside of limiting patterns and explore new possibilities for yourself and your relationships.
3. Connection Supports Mental Health
Human beings are wired for connection. Isolation increases stress, anxiety, and depression, while relationships strengthen emotional resilience. In social therapy, the group is more than a place to talk—it’s an active space for building trust, taking risks, and developing emotional flexibility.
What to Expect in Social Therapy?
Like any therapy, social therapy begins one-on-one. We focus on building a trusting therapeutic relationship as we take on the challenges that brought you to therapy. Through our work together, we explore new ways of relating, understanding, and creating change in your life.
As our journey continues, therapy isn’t just about working through struggles—it’s also about growth, discovery, and building emotional resilience. When the time feels right, you will play an active role in deciding when to bring our work into a social environment by joining a group. Group therapy becomes a natural extension of the work we do together, offering a powerful space to deepen your growth through connection with others.
Get Started
Free 15 Minute Consultation
If this resonates with you and you would like to make a personal connection to learn more, connect with Ann Green, NP, to schedule your free 15-minute consultation.