North of Lonely

From Isolation to Connection

Through Movement

Running September 21st - November 23rd 2025

To apply, please fill out the pre-screening form provided on this page

Learn about North of Lonely:

Group Therapy For Women

Loneliness is a profoundly human experience affecting people of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances. In recent years, loneliness has been increasingly recognised as a public health concern, with research showing it can have significant psychological, emotional, and physical consequences. Although everyone may feel lonely from time to time, chronic loneliness—feeling disconnected or unseen even when around others—can be deeply painful and disorienting. Our group therapy sessions aim to explore these experiences in a safe, compassionate, and supportive space, where you can connect with others who may share similar feelings. Importantly, the purpose of this group is to help forge genuine friendship-based connections in people’s lives, not romantic ones.

Today's world presents unique challenges to fostering authentic connection. Technological advances have made it easier to stay in touch, but often at the cost of deep, meaningful interaction. While designed to increase communication, social media can paradoxically amplify feelings of exclusion and inadequacy (Huang, 2017). Furthermore, societal shifts—such as increasing urbanisation, remote work, individualistic cultural norms, and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic—have all contributed to a rise in isolation and disrupted community structures (Cacioppo & Cacioppo, 2018; Holt-Lunstad, 2021).

Loneliness is not simply a lack of company; it often emerges when one’s need for connection, intimacy, and belonging is unmet. Research has shown that chronic loneliness is associated with increased risk for anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, and even premature mortality (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2015). However, it is also important to note that loneliness is not permanent. Meaningful relationships can be cultivated, even amidst adversity, and emotional connection can be rediscovered through intentional practice, vulnerability, and community support.

This group therapy program offers a space for reflection, storytelling, skill-building, and emotional connection. Through shared exploration, we hope to support one another in challenging unhelpful narratives, reducing shame, and building pathways toward connection. We invite you to bring your whole self to this process—with all your fears, hopes, and courage. You are not alone in this journey.

Why This Group is for Women

Our North of Lonely group therapy is currently offered exclusively for women, creating a safe and supportive space tailored to their unique experiences with loneliness and connection. We recognize the importance of providing similar opportunities for men, and we are pleased to share that dedicated men’s groups will be launching in 2026. These upcoming sessions will ensure that both women and men have access to specialized support designed to help foster meaningful, healthy connections.

Group Facilitators

Driven by a deep awareness of increasing isolation in today’s world, Barb is passionate about creating opportunities for authentic human connection. She believes in the power of shared experiences—blending movement, vulnerability, and community-building activities to foster encouragement, resilience, and a sense of belonging. It is more interesting and more of an adventure to do life together than it is apart!

Barb Lloyd is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) with a passion for helping individuals, couples and families navigate life’s challenges through an integrative, trauma-informed, and holistic approach. She specialises in somatic and movement-based therapies, trauma and generational trauma, stress and anxiety management, and relationship and family dynamics.

With years of experience supporting children, youth, and families, Barb values connection, collaboration, and shared experiences as essential to healing. She blends mind-body practices with evidence-based counselling approaches to create a safe, supportive environment where group members can build resilience, strengthen coping skills, and feel less alone. Barb is passionate about using movement and experiential activities to foster authentic connection, helping participants share vulnerability, encourage one another, and grow together.

Barb holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Education in Counselling, both from the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). She is an active member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA #11245988) and is trained as an EMDR and OEI practitioner.  Additionally, Barb is a yoga instructor who mainly teaches Aerial Yoga. Barb has her own business, RISE Therapy, & contracts at Northern Counselling and EMDR

Barb Lloyd, C.C.C

Christel (“Chris”) Smith, M.Ed., Canadian Certified Counsellor (C.C.C.), is founder and counsellor at Scarlett Wellness in Prince George, BC. She practices from an integrated, trauma-informed orientation and draws on a holistic set of modalities—including animal-assisted therapy with our dogs and horses, walk-and-talk sessions on our forested trails, movement and art, and even “counselling in the kitchen.” Her background includes 15 years in law enforcement and prior military service, alongside graduate training at the University of Northern British Columbia, which together ground her commitment to serving public safety personnel, and the wider northern community. Our Centre's setting—atop the Mud River Valley overlooking the Prince George basin—supports mind–body work in a calm, nature-rich environment. 

Chris wants to run a Loneliness & Connection group because isolation is a pressing concern in our region, and people benefit from a structured, compassionate space to restore social bonds and practice connection skills. This group will leverage the same holistic elements that define Scarlett Wellness—movement and time in nature to settle the nervous system, and activities in the community that foster safety, trust, and emotional regulation—while offering practical strategies participants can carry into everyday life in Prince George.

Christel Smith, M.Ed., C.C.C

The Group Details

  • The group with have five sessions every other Sunday starting September 21st and ending November 16th. There will be a free, optional session held on November 23rd to close out the group and give our facilitators the opportunity to receive your feedback.

  • Each session will begin with 30 minutes of group talk therapy, followed by a group activity that will encourage people to get moving and active together. These activities are pre-scheduled with various types of fitness instructors from our community. The sessions will finish off with an additional 30 minutes of group talk therapy to debrief and round out the day.

  • The overall cost to participate in the group is $314, roughly $62 per session.

  • This group will run with a maximum of 10 chosen participants and a minimum of 6 participants. Every participant will attend all 5 sessions.

  • To join the group, please complete the pre-screening form provided below. Our group Facilitators will choose the 10 people whom they believe will best fit into this group.

    APPLICATION DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2025

  • All applicants who may not be able to join the group this fall session will be placed on a waitlist for future groups.

The Group Schedule

  • 3- 5 PM

    Located at Scarlett Wellness: 18175 Rondeview Rd, Prince George, BC V2N 6K3

    This session will start with introductions to the group and all participants, followed by a walk-and-talk activity. The session will finish off with a 30-minute debrief.

  • 3-5 PM

    Located at Angel’s Aerial Fitness: 1855 1st Ave, Prince George, BC V2L 2Y8

    This session will start off with 30 minutes of group talk therapy, followed by an hour of Aerial Yoga led by Barb. The session will finish off with a 30-minute debrief.

    https://www.angelsaerial.com/

  • 1:30-3:30 PM

    Located at The Fitness Collective: 1135 5th Ave, Prince George, BC V2L 3L1

    This session will begin with 30 minutes of group talk therapy, followed by an hour of weight-lifting led by Natasha. The session will finish off with a 30-minute debrief.

    https://thefitnesscollective.info/

  • 3-5 PM

    Located at Scarlett Wellness: 18175 Rondeview Rd, Prince George, BC V2N 6K3

    This session will begin with 30 minutes of group talk therapy, followed by an hour of Yoga Therapy led by Karin. The session will finish off with a 30-minute debrief.

    https://yogatherapy.live/

  • 3-5 PM

    Located at Kaiten MMA: 185 Dominion St, Prince George, BC V2L 1T2

    This session will begin with 30 minutes of group talk therapy, followed by an hour of self-defence led by Karm & Gaston. The session will finish off with a 30-minute debrief.

    https://www.princegeorgemma.com/

  • 3- 4:30 PM

    Located at Scarlett Wellness: 18175 Rondeview Rd, Prince George, BC V2N 6K3

    This session will be cozy with free beverages and snacks! It will be the opportunity for you to get some closure from the group, go over your goals, and for the facilitators to gain your feedback.

North of Lonely Group Therapy

Pre-Screening Questionnaire 

For application & Screening Purposes Only: Your responses are confidential and used solely to ensure group cohesion, safety, and support. We appreciate your honesty and trust.

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