Collaborative Care Services at Open Door Community Health Centers provides Group Medical Visits that combine medical care, education, and holistic practices to support your overall well-being. These group sessions help you manage chronic conditions, improve mental health, and make sustainable lifestyle changes.

Led by experienced providers, each group focuses on topics such as stress management, nutrition, pain relief, and self-care, with activities like relaxation exercises, gentle movement, and peer support.

We offer the following Group Visits:

  • Mind-Body-Lifestyle (Eureka): A holistic approach to managing chronic conditions.
  • Weight Loss for Wellness (Eureka): A supportive environment for achieving weight loss goals.
  • Chronic Pain Groups (Fortuna): Managing pain through physical and mental health strategies.

For more information or to join a group, call 707-443-4666 or 707-725-4477. Most insurance plans are accepted.

FAQ’s

Group Medical Visits (Group Visits) are a healthcare model that combines medical care with group education, support, and lifestyle mentoring in a shared group setting, led by a healthcare provider and support staff.  Group visit sessions address patients’ medical needs while also focusing on holistic and preventative approaches to health.

The group session begins with checking vital signs, followed by a brief relaxation exercise. Participants will have an opportunity to check in with the provider, learn about a health-related topic, engage in group discussions, and participate in gentle movements like chair yoga.  Activities may include acupressure, self-massage, mindful eating, meditation, journaling, coloring, reading and understanding food labels, practicing breathing techniques and other wellness practices.

(Days and times for Group Visits vary. There may be an opportunity to join a virtual group in the future. Call 707-443-4666 for the current schedule)

  • Mind-Body-Lifestyle (in Eureka at the Collaborative Care Health Center)
    Led by Nurse Practitioner Darra Husome, this group helps participants manage chronic health conditions through a holistic approach, emphasizing both mind and body practices, and learn coping and self-care skills to help make meaningful changes that improve their overall quality of life.
  • Weight Loss for Wellness (in Eureka at the Collaborative Care Health Center)
    Led by Nurse Practitioner Darra Husome, this group supports participants with weight loss goals learn about healthy eating and the power of making small, sustainable changes in a motivational collaborative environment.
  • Chronic Pain Groups (in Fortuna at the Fortuna Community Health Center)
    Led by Nurse Practitioner Georgina Grimm, these groups help participants manage their chronic pain though a holistic approach with emphasis on physical and mental health support.  Each group reviews various coping techniques, self-care skills and educational topics to help patients make meaningful changes to improve day to day pain and quality of life.

Yes, Group Visits are billed the same as regular office visits with your primary care provider.  For specific questions about insurance coverage and co-pays please call 707-443-4666.

To learn more about how to join a group, you can:

  • Call 707-443-4666 for Group Visits with Darra at the Collaborative Care Health Center.
  • Call 707-725-4477 for Group Visits with Georgina at the Fortuna Community Health Center.
  • You can also ask your primary care provider for a referral to join a group.
  • Group Visits provide medical and educational content:  Each session involves both medical care (like routine health assessments, addressing specific health concerns) and educational discussions on topics such as, our reactions to stress, our bodies response to pain, food and movement as medicine,  the importance of healthy sleep, our bodies and inflammation, approaches to depression and challenging communication, understanding the role of food as well as other health topics.
  • Group Visits provide peer support and interaction: The group allows patients with similar health conditions or concerns to connect, share experiences, and support one another.
  • Group Visits provide a holistic approach to healthcare: Integrating traditional medicine approaches with complementary practices like mindfulness, meditation, self-care tools, goal setting, and other practices that support both physical and emotional well-being.

Group Visits provide patient empowerment and self-care: Patients are given practical tools, and home practices to help manage their own health more effectively, empowering them to take an active role in their wellness journey.