New Group for Endometriosis Patients

If you have been living with endometriosis, you already know the stress is layered and insidious. The disease spills into so many parts of our lives and the experience of the pain gets trapped in our body. It shows up in flares, fatigue, brain fog, tension, shutdown, irritability, tears that come out of nowhere, and that heavy feeling of needing to be strong one more day when you've been exhausted for far more days than you can count.

For so many of us, the medical experiences also become part of the trauma too. The waiting. The uncertainty. Being dismissed. The appointments where you leave feeling smaller and more confused than when you walked in. The procedures. The pain. The sense that your body is not safe or predictable. Even when life looks “fine” on the outside, your nervous system may still be bracing for the next hit.

That is exactly why I created my GTEP (Group Traumatic Episode Protocol) EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitation Reprocessing) Endometriosis Group.This group is for women of color who are tired of carrying endometriosis alone and who feel like they have been at war with thier bodies for so long. It is for the woman who knows she is resilient but does not want resilience to mean suffering in silence. It is for the woman who wants deeper healing, not just coping until the next flare. If you want to learn more about this specific GTEP group for Endometriosis patients, see the frequently asked questions below.

What is GTEP EMDR and why does it matter for endometriosis

EMDR therapy is a trauma treatment that helps the brain and body process distressing experiences so they no longer feel as raw, current, or overwhelming. GTEP stands for Group Traumatic Episode Protocol. It is an EMDR protocol designed specifically for using EMDR in a group format, in a way that supports stabilization and reduces distress. It helps you process difficult experiences while still staying within your window of tolerance, meaning we do not push you past what your nervous system can handle.

In this group, we are not trying to erase your story. We are working to reduce the emotional charge and body based alarm that can get stuck after painful medical moments, scary symptoms, surgery experiences, dismissive encounters, and the ongoing grief that can come with endometriosis. Many women describe feeling like their body is constantly on guard. GTEP helps calm that internal alarm system so you can feel more grounded, more present, and more supported in your day to day life.

Why group healing can be powerful for medical trauma

Endometriosis can be isolating, even when you have a loving support system. There is a specific loneliness that comes from being in pain that others cannot see or understand. In a healthy group space, something shifts. Shame decreases. You feel less strange. Your nervous system gets the message, I am not alone.

Group EMDR work can also feel safer than individual processing for some women because you are held by structure, guided steps, and community energy, while still keeping your personal details private. This can feel like getting the support without having to explain what has been painful all over again.

Signs that this group may be a good fit for you

• You feel anxious before appointments or avoid them altogether.

• You feel panicky, numb, or shut down when pain hits.

• You replay dismissive medical encounters in your mind.

• You struggle with anger, grief, or sadness that feels bigger than the moment.

• You feel disconnected from your body or like you never fully can relax.

• You want to heal emotionally but talking alone has not been enough.

• You want to feel understood by women who truly get it.

What you can expect in the group?

This is a structured therapeutic group, not a support group where you are expected to share every detail of your story out loud. You get to choose what you share. The group is designed to be both gentle and effective. Each group is held virtually biweekly and lasts for about 90 minutes. The cost is $100 per session and is HSA/FSA reimburseable.

What is the focus of the group?

A guided group protocol for EMDR designed to reduce distress linked to endometriosis related experiences by using bilateral stiumlation and installation of coping resources.

Supportive connection with women in an initimate setting who understand what this life can feel like since they have shared lived experience.

A space that honors you holistically. Your identity, your faith, and the emotional layers of illness; all of you can be honored here.

How can I sign up?

If you are interested in joining my GTEP EMDR Endometriosis Group, the first step is a brief consult to make sure the group is a good fit for you and that we set you up for success. I will answer your questions, review readiness, and make sure you feel clear about what to expect.

Encouragement and an Invitation

If you have been carrying this quietly for years, I want to gently encourage you to consider these truths.

You deserve support that takes your pain seriously, honors the full impact of endometriosis, and helps your nervous system move from survival to relief.

When you are ready, you can reach out through my website to request a consult and learn about upcoming group dates.

You do not have to do this alone anymore. You can share and download the flyer at the bottom of this post to share with others who may be interested as as well.

About the Author

Shakira O'Garro LMHC-D, LPC, LPCC, NCC is a Black woman and a therapist with lived experience of severe stage 4 endometriosis, adenomyosis, and medical trauma. Even with extensive training, Shakira didn’t realize for a long time just how deeply these experiences had impacted her. Because of that, her work centers women like you, Black women who are tired of being excluded from the discourse, dismissed, gaslit, and left to suffer in silence.

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