Third regular group of three back-to-back groups. You can join for one group, two, or all three if you choose. The Facilitator-in-training students do all twelve weeks.
Our process groups are an opportunity to meet in a group (see options below) to allow the process of Focusing to carry you forward, while deepening both your Focusing and listening skills. There is a strong emphasis on building self-compassion through common humanity in these groups, via empathic reflections and empathy circles.
An empathy circle, practiced in a Focusing way, is at first a regular Focusing exchange, however it is held by the entire group. As such, there is a Focuser, a listener, and the remaining participants act as space holders (observers, witnesses). After the Focusing, all are invited to pause and sense what is happening in them now. An empathic reflection can then be offered by all who choose. The empathic reflection can be what was//is now felt physically (felt sense), or the word, phrase or image (handle) that came//now comes to mind. After all who wish to share have shared, the Focuser can then say what more comes in hearing the empathic reflections. In essence, it is a Focusing demonstration that all observers are welcomed to experience and help further unfold with their reflections.
Empathy circles are powerful, as many kind-hearted people holding space allows for deep healing work!
Our PUPA Focusing Process Groups groups use the following format:
each week we will begin with a brief centering and check-in
next, one participant will be the empathy circle Focuser of the week, having a 15-minute experience. The listener can be the course teacher or another participant. The rest of the group holds space, and then at the end, has the option to pause and then offer their empathic reflections.
participants have a choices for how they’d like to practice during the one hour of breakout room time. Options include:
breakout room practice in groups of two or three, which allow more time per person.
round-robin practice, where participants are in a larger group, four or five, and go around the “circle”, taking turns Focusing and listening. This is a powerful option when participants connected deeply to the empathy circle topic we just had, and wish to stay with that, to explore what came up for them and how they were personally touched (this is inspired by the Interactive Response in Interactive Focusing). Option to offer empathic reflections after each Focusing round.
stay in the main room for a generative Focusing conversation, that emerges from the empathy circle.
a brief sharing, followed by discussion of any questions
finally, we will have a closing
During the breakout room time, the course teacher and any co-teachers/assistants will be available to co-listen. This is where you have the option to have us come into your breakout room to provide coaching on your listening.
The group will not teach any pre-planned content other than the empathy circles and empathic reflections, which are inspired by Interactive Focusing. However, concepts or teaching aids will be shared as needed and arise naturally from the group.
To further your learning and practice, it is encouraged to also form a Focusing partnership with two other participants. These groups of three involves meeting between classes to practice, in an exchange of Focusing and listening, with the third person keeping time, and providing a stronger container for deep work. It is also an opportunity to share observations.
Group Options
We currently offer four kinds of Focusing Process Groups. All of our groups meet for two hours per week,
A regular group, of up to 24 participants, which meets for four weeks.
A small group, of up to 6 participants, which meets for six weeks.
A topic-specific group, of up to 16 participants, which meets for six weeks.
A Focusing facilitator certification group, that meets for 12 weeks (this group overlaps with three regular groups, and has an additional 30 minutes each week just for those doing the certification training)
this group meets for longer, as it has a requirement of doing 15 hours of client sessions or some other incorporation of Focusing into your private or professional work; the extra time is to support students and answer questions that arise from this work.
Timing and other details
Next Groups and Teachers:
Regular Groups (4-weeks each) led by Coordinator Annette Dubreuil.
Mondays, March 2-23, 2026, from 12:30-2:30 pm Eastern
Mondays, March 30-April 20, 2026, from 12:30-2:30 pm Eastern
Mondays, April 27-May 25 (break week May 18), 2026, from 12:30-2:30 pm Eastern
Note: you can sign up for more than one of the groups above if you so choose. Those doing the Facilitator training (see below) will do all twelve weeks, so there will be some continuity.
Focusing Facilitator Certification Group led by Coordinator Annette Dubreuil.
Mondays, March 2-May 25 (12 weeks), 2026, from 12:30-3:00 pm Eastern (three 4-week regular groups, with an additional 30 minutes afterwards).
World of Crises: space to explore the various crises in the world right now, e.g. wars, inequality, climate change, led by Coordinator Annette Dubreuil.
This topic-specific group will meet for six weeks on Tuesdays. Dates and times to come.
TBD - please email me at annette@pupa.ca if you are interested in a group and cannot make the above times/dates
Who are these groups for? The Focusing Process Groups are designed for Focusers of all levels. However, some previous Focusing training is required (the steps will not be taught and some listening experience is required). This experience can be gained through the 8-week beginner course or the 4-week intensive beginner course.
Course location: Zoom
Sliding scale pricing: These groups have sliding scale pricing, offering multiple price points to make the groups more accessible and reduce financial barriers for people with different levels of income. Please view the sliding scale fees page for details and codes.