Start and run a group therapy circle

A circle is a recurring group session that you lead: up to twelve members, on video, on the same day and time every week or every two weeks. You choose the topic, the schedule and the price. Members pay by the month, and you're paid after each session that runs. Circles are invite-only for now.

Who can run a circle

We invite therapists a few at a time. Before inviting you, we look for:

• 30 completed one-to-one sessions on Mytherapist.ng
• 10 ratings, with an average of 4.5 or higher
• An approved account in good standing

Meeting these doesn't send an invitation by itself. If you'd like to be considered, tell support.

Accept the invitation

When you're invited, you get an email and a card on your Home screen. The invitation stays open for 30 days.

1. In the Caregiver App, open Settings, then Group sessions. On the web dashboard, open Group sessions in the sidebar.
2. Read the ground rules. Be in the room on time and stay until the end. Use first names only. Nothing is recorded, and what is said in the circle stays there. Don't use the circle to sign members up for one-to-one sessions. If you have to cancel, say so early enough for members to get their money back.
3. Tick "I agree to the ground rules", then tap Accept the invitation.

If you choose Not now, nothing changes on your account. Tell support if you change your mind and we'll invite you again.

Start a circle

On the Group sessions screen, tap Start a circle. The form has four parts. Members see all of it before they join.

About the circle

• Name: what members will recognise, for example "Burnout at work". Up to 120 characters.
• What it is for: two or three plain sentences. Say who it's for, what a session is like and what it isn't.
• Cover photo: pick one from the library. Members see it behind your circle's name.
• Who it is for: up to five short tags members can scan, like "new parents" or "working abroad".
• Closest specialisation and Language: English, Pidgin, Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa.

Seats

• Seats in the circle: 6, 8, 10 or 12.
• Minimum to run: 3 to 6. If fewer members than this have a place 24 hours before a session, that session is postponed. Members lose nothing. Their block runs a session longer.

Price a month

Members pay for a block of sessions at a time: 4 sessions for a weekly circle, 2 for a circle that meets every two weeks. The next block is charged a few days before it starts.

Pick a preset or type an amount. The form shows what that works out to per session, and the range you can choose from (currently ₦2,000 to ₦5,000 a session). It also shows what Prime members pay. They get 20% off.

When it meets

• How often: every week or every two weeks.
• Day and Start time: start times run from 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM, West Africa Time.
• Length: 60, 75 or 90 minutes.
• First session: choose from the next few dates. Sessions then repeat on that schedule until you pause the circle.

Tap Publish the circle. Your circle goes live straight away, and members can join from today.

How you're paid

You keep what your members' seats earn, less our group commission. The form shows the current rate and an estimate for a full circle before you publish. Commission is worked out on your full price, so you're paid the same when a Prime member pays less. The money goes to your wallet when the session ends.

Group commission is a separate rate from the one on your one-to-one sessions. See Earnings and commission.

Running a session

1. The room opens 10 minutes before the start. Open it from the session in your circle.
2. Members can join until 15 minutes after the start. After that the room locks to newcomers, unless you allow late joins.
3. Your roster shows each member's first name or alias and their screening answers. Your private notes are for you alone.
4. When the session is over, end it for everyone. Attendance is recorded and your payout goes to your wallet.

If you don't join and the session doesn't run, every member gets that session back and nothing is paid.

Change, pause or close a circle

• Edit: changes apply to future sessions only. A session that already has members keeps the time and price they were promised.
• Taking new members: turn this off on the Group sessions screen to stop new people joining. Current members keep their places, and their sessions still run.
• Pause or close: you can do either at any time. Members are refunded for the sessions that haven't run.

If a member is in crisis

Mytherapist.ng has no emergency service. If someone in the circle is in immediate danger, direct them to 112 (or 767 in Lagos) and Safe Place Nigeria on 0800 800 2000. The full list is at Helplines. Tell support afterwards.