SOUTH PORTLAND
The Inner Circle
A Six-Session Trauma Integration Group Following Healing Circle
"Commit to loving yourself completely. It’s the most radical thing you will do in your lifetime."
– Andrea Gibson
The Inner Circle is a six-session group for women who have completed Healing Circle and are ready to continue their work in a more inward, integrative way.
This group focuses on building compassionate relationships with the different parts of the self—those shaped by protection, pain, and survival, as well as those that carry strength, courage, and hope.
Welcome back.
The Inner Circle continues the shared presence and care of Healing Circle, while shifting toward a more process-oriented, inward pace. This group is less about learning concepts and more about staying with experience—through visualization, gentle brainspotting, and journaling—making room for all parts of the self and practicing greater internal trust and choice, together.
Next Inner Circle starts February 24th, 2026
Tuesdays 5:15pm -7pm
Heart Stone Counseling ~ Carriage House
967 Broadway South Portland, ME
The Inner Circle
IN-PERSON SUPPORT AND PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL GROUP FOR WOMEN IN SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE
Each week, Inner Circle draws from Embracing Our Fragmented Selves by Janina Fisher, Ph.D., which provides structure and guidance for our sessions. Alongside the workbook, we make room for anything that may surface in the process of doing deeper work. Workbooks are available online or for purchase at the first group.
What to expect
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Inner Circle is offered in six week commitments. The groups are held on Tuesday evenings from 5:15p- 7pm. The next Inner Circle starts February 24th, 2026.
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Emily Van Cannon LCPC, LADC is the facilitator of Healing Circle.
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The group is open to cis, queer, trans women who have experienced trauma and traumatic loss and who have completed at least one cycle (6 sessions of Healing Circle.) The group runs with a number of participants between 5-8 people.
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Inner Circle provides basic material needed every week. Participants are encouraged to have your own journal and water bottle.
$135 x 2
Option 1: Two Installments
You will be charged 135.00 after you have been accepted into the group and 135 after the 3rd session.
Save $15
$255
Option 2: Pay in advance
You will be charged $255 after you have been accepted into the group.
spots are limited
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spots are limited ♥
The Inner Circle is led by Emily Van Cannon, LCPC, LADC, CCS. For more than 20 years, Emily has guided groups for girls and women in settings ranging from in-patient settings and jails to community centers and counseling practices. She combines her clinical expertise with her background in creative arts and theatre to create a space where stories can be shared, held, and transformed. Her passion is helping people feel less alone and discover new possibilities for healing.
Get Started
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Frequently Asked Questions
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We can accept HSA/ FSA, debit, credit and checks. We are not using insurance for groups.
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Depending on where you are in your healing process, this group might not be a good fit for you if you are inclined towards certain types of self-harm or suicidal ideation when feeling emotionally activated. If you experience internal stimuli such as voices or hallucinations, this group won’t be a good fit. If you struggle to notice others’ emotional experience or group dynamics, individual therapy might be a better fit.
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In registering, you are reserving one of the limited spots in the group. To get the most out of the group, you should plan to attend all six scheduled dates. We understand that things come up; however, we are unable to provide refunds for missed sessions.
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The minimum number of participants is four and the maximum number is eight.
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This is a personal decision. Some people are interested in spacing out (i.e., going from weekly to biweekly) individual therapy while participating in the group. Some people want to continue to do both. Some people take a pause of their individual sessions altogether while attending group.
Testimonials