Online Herpes Support Groups for Women

Online Herpes Support Groups for Women

For many women, the day they receive a herpes diagnosis is one of the most painful and overwhelming moments of their lives. It often arrives suddenly and carries far more than medical information — it can bring shock, fear, shame, and a deep sense of being alone.

Much of this pain is fueled not only by stigma, but by widespread misinformation and judgment around sex, sexuality, and sexually transmitted infections. Even when symptoms are minimal or nonexistent, the emotional impact can feel intense and destabilizing.

Fear of transmission, anxiety about dating and disclosure, and concerns about being rejected or misunderstood often become heavier than the virus itself. It affects how you see yourself, how safe you feel in relationships, and how you imagine your future.

This is overwhelming because of misinformation, stigma, and judgment — not because there is something wrong with you.

This group exists to meet you where you are — with care, compassion, and understanding — honoring your timing and your healing process. Through connection with other women who truly get it, many participants find relief from shame, a sense of belonging, and the ability to move forward with greater self-trust and confidence.

What This Group Offers

This group is designed to provide emotional support, education, and connection in a safe, confidential setting. Rather than focusing on symptoms or medical management, the emphasis is on reducing shame, addressing fear and misinformation, and helping women feel more grounded, supported, and empowered in their lives and relationships.

Benefits

In this group, women often experience:

• Relief from shame through shared understanding

• A sense of connection and belonging

• Greater confidence navigating dating and disclosure

• Reduced fear of transmission through accurate, compassionate information

• Increased self-compassion and self-trust

• Emotional support that honors individual pacing and readiness

Through shared experience and guided support, many women find relief from shame, a greater sense of connection, increased confidence around dating and disclosure, and a renewed trust in themselves and their relationships.

A Grounding Perspective

HSV is one of the most common viruses worldwide, and many people carry it without ever experiencing symptoms or knowing they have it. Public health organizations such as the CDC and WHO have consistently noted that misinformation and lack of testing contribute significantly to fear, stigma, and misunderstanding around herpes.

Knowing this does not erase the emotional impact of a diagnosis — but for many women, accurate information can gently reduce isolation and self-blame, making room for healing and connection.

Who This Group Is For

This group may be a good fit for you if:

• You are a woman living with HSV or herpes and feel overwhelmed, isolated, or alone

• You are struggling with stigma, shame, or fear following your diagnosis

• Dating, disclosure, or fear of transmission feels anxiety-provoking or confusing

• You want to feel understood without having to explain or justify your experience

• You are looking for a supportive, confidential space to heal in connection with others

• You value a trauma-informed, compassionate, non-judgmental approach

This group is open to women at different stages of their journey — whether you were recently diagnosed or have been living with HSV for years. You do not need to be “ready,” confident, or healed to participate. Showing up as you are is enough.

Who This Group Is Not For

This group may not be the right fit if:

• You are currently in acute crisis or need immediate mental health support

• You are looking primarily for medical advice or treatment

• You are unable to commit to attending all group sessions

• You are not open to participating in a shared, group-based space

If this group doesn’t feel like the right fit, I’m happy to help you explore other supportive options.

Logistics

• Format: Online, closed support group

• Group Size: Small group (up to 8 women)

• Platform: HIPAA-compliant video platform

• Length: 90-minute sessions

• Duration: 8 consecutive weeks

• Facilitator: Miriam Chor Freitas, LCSW, EMDR-CIT, CCTP-II

• Location: Online (open to women nationwide)

• Dates and time: The next cohorts will start on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026, at:

  • 4:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time) and 7:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

To support safety and trust, this is a closed group, meaning the same participants attend each session. Confidentiality, mutual respect, and emotional safety are core values of this space.

A 30-minute intake call is required before joining to ensure the group is the right fit for you and to answer any questions you may have.

Cost & Commitment

• Total cost: $480 for the full 8-week group

• Payment options:

  • One-time payment of $400 (15% discount)

  • Two payments of $240 (first payment before the group begins, second after the first four sessions)

Because this is a closed group with limited spots, full commitment to all sessions is required. This allows the group to remain consistent, safe, and supportive for everyone involved. The group requires an 8-week commitment so that we can create a safe space where you will have the opportunity to get to know the other group members on a deeper level, learn more tools to deal with the condition physically and emotionally, and fully benefit from the experience in your daily life.

Please note: This is a psychoeducational support group and is not covered by insurance.

I am currently scheduling screening appointments for the groups.

If you’re feeling drawn to this group and want to explore whether it’s a good fit, the next step is to schedule a free intake call.

This conversation is a chance to:

we will go over the group content and format.

This gives you an opportunity to ask more questions and it gives me an opportunity to learn more about you and your needs and, if appropriate, make recommendations for other services available to you.

• Ask questions about the group

• Share what you’re hoping for

• Get a sense of whether this space feels right for you

There is no pressure to commit during this call.

nline Herpes Support Group for women like?

It’s a small closed group comprised of up to 8 women from their mid-20s to mid-50s who want to heal from the pain and sorrow, shame and guilt, and emotional symptoms associated with the diagnosis and move forward with their lives. It provides a safe container where you can get education, guidance, support, connection, and empowerment through the challenges and opportunities of living life with herpes. The group is strength-based and offers insights into how the condition affects your life, providing several skills and tools to manage it physically, emotionally, and mentally, thereby addressing your Whole Self.

Dating, relationships, body image, acceptance, self-compassion, shame, guilt, and stigma are common themes discussed in the group. It’s possible to learn new values, beliefs, behaviors and loving self-care practices to help you cope with the diagnosis that will improve all areas of your life. Also, getting diagnosed with herpes can be a very isolating experience so the group experience can be very empowering. It’s very comforting to know that you are not alone and that other women understand and will support you through your healing journey.

Your guide for the herpes support group for women:

Hi, I’m Miriam, a therapist who has been tirelessly advocating and supporting people with a herpes diagnosis throughout my career. I’m located in California but you can be anywhere where people speak English. While trauma-informed individual therapy may be indicated for the more severe emotional impact of a herpes diagnosis, I have seen that the psychoeducation, support and safety of a closed group format is a powerful destigmatizing, healing and empowering way to address the issue.