Struggling with a mood disorder or emotional ups and downs? You don’t have to face it alone.
Connect with a support group pursuing emotional resilience!
*If you have joined another Counselling for All support group, access START Living through here.
Struggling with a mood disorder or emotional ups and downs? You don’t have to face it alone.
Connect with a support group pursuing emotional resilience!
Living with a mood disorder can make emotions feel overwhelming, relationships challenging, and daily life exhausting. If you’re struggling with depression, bipolar disorder, or a mood condition linked to health or substance use, you’re not alone.
START Living! is a DBT skills group for individuals looking to build emotional resilience, strengthen relationships, and regain balance. Through S.T.A.R.T. – Skills Training and Resilience Techniques, you’ll gain practical tools to navigate emotions, communicate effectively, and respond to life’s challenges with confidence.
If you're ready to take control of your emotional well-being, let’s START Living, together.
Led by mental health professionals, START Living! provides a safe, supportive space to learn, grow, and connect with others facing similar experiences.
Together, we’ll explore:
While we can’t always control the world around us, we can control how we respond. START Living! will help you take ownership of your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors—so you can move forward with confidence.
You deserve to feel in control of your life.
*If you have joined another Counselling for All support group, access START Living through here.
Counselling for All is dedicated to providing a safe space where you feel at ease in sharing your authentic experiences and vulnerabilities.
Created and led by tenured trauma counsellor Mobina Hasan, support group participants can access:
All of which allows them to improve their quality of life.
*If you have joined another Counselling for All support group, access START Living through here.
Let's break down the details!
We meet through video call every other Tuesday of the month
5PM Pacific/ 6PM Mountain/ 8PM Eastern/ 9PM Atlantic
Each meet up is an hour long with the opportunity to interact with others in breakout rooms of 2-4 people
It's all casual —feel free to bring a cup of tea, a snack or dinner!
The first part of the meet up is for us to get to know each other and discuss things like:
The following segment will take place in breakout rooms.
A reflective topic is usually offered by facilitators to support you through your personal journey.
Last, but not least, the closing of the meet-up allows for time to share our insights.
A private community of fellow like-minded individuals who understand
Learning and discussion under the guidance of mental healthcare professionals
Have access to resources and an expert designed program to make positive change
Connect to other members and guest speakers through live chat
*If you have joined another Counselling for All support group, access START Living through here.
Check out these benefits you will gain!
Feel comfort knowing there are others who have a similar experience that are present
Be understood and encouraged by others also seeking support and wellbeing
Learn how to navigate your own need for support and healing
Discover relevant practical perspectives for your situation from other individuals within the community
Discover ways to manage difficult situations and challenges
Have space to discuss, normalise and validate difficult experiences
Learn how to better connect in your relationships
Improve your resilience in navigating challenges and setbacks with more adaptability.
Discover more ways to celebrate your achievements
Feel an increase in peace and acceptance
Potentially make lifelong friendships and connections
And much more!
*If you have joined another Counselling for All support group, access START Living through here.
Maybe you’re thinking,
Living with a mood disorder can feel like an uphill battle. Some days, emotions take over. Relationships feel strained. You’re stuck in cycles that seem impossible to break. Maybe you’ve tried different approaches, but nothing seems to stick.
You might be struggling with:
Feeling like sadness, anger, or guilt control you rather than the other way around
Wondering if things will ever change
Struggling with decision making and/or focusing due to feeling mentally exhausted
You could know what needs to be done, but somehow have difficulty pushing through
Fatigue that makes even small tasks feel overwhelming or restless nights that leave you drained.
Difficulty expressing yourself or maintaining connections
*If you have joined another Counselling for All support group, access START Living through here.
S.T.A.R.T. – Skills Training and Resilience Techniques is a DBT skills group that navigates mood disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, and mood conditions linked to health or substance use.
This group isn’t just about coping—it’s about lasting change. You’ll learn how to regulate emotions, strengthen relationships, and respond to challenges with confidence. Through evidence-based DBT techniques, you’ll build a crisis plan, improve communication, and develop a self-care practice that supports your well-being.
No matter how your challenges started, you have the power to change how you respond.
If you’re ready to take control of your emotional well-being and START Living, we’re here to help.
*If you have joined another Counselling for All support group, access START Living through here.
You may not say this out loud...
“I don’t feel comfortable in a group setting. What if I’m judged or don’t feel supported?”
It’s completely natural to feel hesitant about opening up in a group. Fears of rejection, trust issues, or past negative experiences can make it hard to reach out.
Counselling for All's support groups are designed to create a safe, accepting space. Everyone attending is here for the same reason—to heal, grow, and support one another without judgment. However, you can participate at your own pace, listen when you need to, and speak when you feel comfortable. Many people find that simply being in a space with others who truly understand what they’re going through is already a step toward healing.
“I’m afraid of getting too emotional—or seeing others in pain.”
Expressing emotions can feel deeply vulnerable, especially if you’ve been taught to keep them in or handle things alone. The thought of sharing personal struggles—or witnessing others’ emotions—might seem overwhelming. But emotions are not a sign of weakness; they are a sign of being human.
In this group, you won’t be judged for feeling deeply. Instead, you’ll be met with understanding and support. Witnessing others’ experiences can also be incredibly healing, helping you realize that you’re not alone in your struggles. And when you’re ready, sharing your emotions in a safe space can lighten the weight you’ve been carrying.
“My struggles feel very personal. It would be uncomfortable to share this with strangers.”
We get it. Life struggles are usually fraught with difficult emotions which are painful to touch upon. The stigma and shame of not “having it together” as a mental healthcare professional is hard to overcome.
It’s very likely your clients felt the same, but chose to be vulnerable and share their difficulties with you, and you were able to hold space for them. Why not give yourself the same kindness by trusting that your fellow mental healthcare clinicians can do the same?
“I’d rather focus on my individual struggles.”
Individual therapy is valuable, and so is the opportunity to see your experiences reflected in others. You’re not just receiving support—you’re offering it too, which can be incredibly empowering.
When you hear others express thoughts and emotions similar to your own, it reinforces that you are not alone. You may even discover new perspectives or coping strategies that you hadn’t considered before.
“I’m afraid of the unknown. What if this group isn’t right for me?”
Trying something new can feel intimidating, but we all start somewhere right?
The best way to find out if something is for you is to try. Growth happens when we step outside our comfort zones. Along with meeting people and experts who understand what you've been through, you'll be part of a welcoming space where you can explore your emotions, break unhelpful patterns, and gain the tools to navigate life’s challenges.
With all that being said, what if it is right for you? Take a chance because your wellness and having a support network is worth it.
*If you have joined another Counselling for All support group, access START Living through here.
Still thinking?
members gain access to:
Joining the community will help you feel better, create connections of support, improve your relationships and quality of life for free!
This is an ongoing online support community, members can join and leave as they see fit.
The support group does not replace professional therapy.
Support Group Research
*If you have joined another Counselling for All support group, access START Living through here.
Do I need to share right away?
Not at all! You can choose to do whatever you feel comfortable with.
Our expert facilitators will make sure the support group is a positive and safe experience for you.
Do I need to turn on my camera?
Yes. It feels more comfortable to share when we all see each other.
Can I connect with other participants on the platform or outside?
Absolutely! We highly encourage participants to connect with each other through one-on-one chat and share contact details if they feel comfortable. Many of our participants meet outside the weekly meetings and have formed life-long friendships!
Do I need to engage with other participants outside of the sessions?
It’s totally up to you. You may decide how and where you engage with the other participants outside of the weekly meetings.
Research evidence indicates that support groups create more impactful positive changes when participants engage with each other and combine their various insights, perspectives and learned wisdom.
Will the facilitators be available for individual calls if difficulties come up and I need to speak with someone?
We encourage you to let us know you would like to speak with someone through the START Living Support Group platform’s chat function. You will receive useful perspectives and encouragement from your fellow support group participants while gaining insight from the expertise of the facilitators.
The facilitators are not available for phone calls. If you need further individual support, we recommend exploring professional counselling services. Please see the Q&A below for more information.
What if I need more than what the START Living Support Group community offers?
The START Living Support Group is not a replacement for professional counselling services. If you feel that you need more individual support, counselling could be helpful for you.
You can reach out to Mobina Hasan at Admin@CounsellingForAll.org for a referral to a counsellor that specializes in working with other counsellors.
How will you protect my personal information?
The START Living Support Group is a safe space for you and your information. We have measures in place to prevent doxxing and keep important data confidential. Support group participants are encouraged and regularly reminded to refrain from sharing personal information.
What are you waiting for?
*If you have joined another Counselling for All support group, access START Living through here.
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©2025 Counselling for All is a service name of Chisti and Hasan Foundation.
