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GROUPS
Becoming Safely Embodied: A 12-Week Skills Group for Women Trauma Survivors
As survivors of traumatic life events, we may experience our body as a source of pain and ill-health, as well as a constant reminder of our troubling past. While others around us seem to know how to use their bodies to relax and revitalize, we may struggle to avoid the turmoil of having a physical self. Designed by an expert trauma therapist, "Becoming Safely Embodied" is a 12-week step-by-step skills development group designed to help trauma survivors safely turn inward to uncover our own wisdom, clarity and calm. Here we will practice and expand our internal foundation of grounded presence through the skills of: meditation and concentration; belongingness; separating the past from the present; identifying thoughts, feelings and body sensations; discovering an internal wise self; and carving out a new path. Weekly group meetings as well as an initial intake interview are offered at the cost of $50/session. Beginning Thursday evenings, March 2010.
For more information, contact Andrea Gundersen, MA, CMT at 773.880.1310 x77296, or email at agundersen@liveoakchicago.com.
CONNECTED!
Connected! is a series of free workshops on Saturday mornings that provide opportunities to engage in conversation, network, and connect with others. Connected! workshops are offered for a variety of communities including social service professionals, gay men, couples, artists, and lesbians. While each Connected! workshop is free, pre-registration is required as space is limited. More information about each of the Connected! community workshops is described below.
- Mindfully Connected!
First Saturday of Each Month
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Pre-registration required. Contact Jaime Henry-Juravic at 773.880.1310, ext. 88
The Mindfully Connected series consists of 6 workshops, meeting once monthly, in which participants will learn and practice skills geared toward increasing awareness in the present moment through non-judgmental awareness of thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations. The Mindfully Connected series is offered as an introduction to mindfulness practices and will cover a different topic each month.
February 6
Quiet Body/Quiet Mind
March 6
Mindfulness in Relationships
April 3
Mindful Movement
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May 1
Intuitive Art Making
June 5
Mindful Eating
July 3
Managing Distressing Emotions
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Professionals Connected!
Quarterly on Fridays
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Pre-registration required.
Contact Erica Rumpel at 773.880.1310, ext. 89
erumpel@liveoakchicago.com
Professionals Connected provides a welcoming space where previously or tenuously employed mental health professionals can meet, share personal stories, and experience a variety of self care techniques. Experiential activities including breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, and meditation will be included.
January 15
Past Triumphs Supporting Future Growth
April 23
Creating a Personal Pathway to Success
July 23
Mindfulness Practices for Professionals
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Gay Men Connected!
Third Saturday Morning of Each Month
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Pre-Registration Required
Contact Mark Hodar at 773.880.1310, ext. 86
mhodar@liveoakchicago.com
The experience of being a gay man fosters unique strength, insight, and wisdom. Few opportunities exist, however, to collectively share this wisdom. Through guided discussion and experiential exercises, this series of Saturday workshops will provide the space to share, grow, explore, and CONNECT with self, others, and community.
January 16
Identity: Inside and Out
How We See Ourselves and How We Present Ourselves to the World
February 20
Sex
How We Define and Incorporate Sex in Our Lives
March 20
Dating & Relationships
How We Connect With Other Gay Men
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April 17
Men, Masculinity and Labels
We Connect With What it Means to be Male
May 15
Self-Esteem, Confidence, and Pride
How We Support a Positive Sense of Self
June 19
Family: The One You Get and The One You Create
How We Define and Relate to "Family"
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Women Considering Partnership, Parenting and Career Choices
This support and discussion group for women in their thirties will provide a safe space to explore opportunities and decisions about work and home life balance, choosing (or not choosing) to create primary relationships, considering and managing parenting, and furthering careers. The group meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 - 8:00 pm with a maximum of six participants. Pre-registration is required.
For more information, contact Carolyn Schneider, M.A., LCPC, at 773.880.1310, ext. 84 or email cschneider@liveoakchicago.com.
On-Going Psychotherapy Groups for Gay Men
These professionally-led groups can be uniquely helpful for gay men ages 25 and older seeking to establish, enhance, or maintain relationships with other men. In a safe and supportive environment, the group experience provides an opportunity for gay men to attend to how they form relationships and learn new ways to establish intimacy and closeness. Topics may include, but are not limited to: reducing isolation; managing sadness and anxiety; dating and relationships; sex and sexuality; developing confidence; making decisions about career or school; dealing with HIV or other chronic illnesses; and addressing family concerns. Groups meet weekly on either Monday or Wednesday evenings for 1 1/2 hours.
For more information, contact Erich Heintzen, LCSW at 773.880.1310, ext. 83.
Gay Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Rather than telling and re-telling painful histories, this group focuses on understanding the effects of childhood sexual abuse; how each man has learned to survive and how past survival strategies may not be working like they once did. Group members will explore new and more effective coping strategies for living more productively and with a greater sense of balance and peace. Topics addressed in the group include: establishing safety individually and in the context of relationships; negotiating boundaries; dealing with anger/loss/rage; dealing with addictive and/or compulsive behaviors; learning to identify and manage anxiety; understanding how being gay and being a survivor may or may not be related; and incorporating or re-incorporating a sense of spirituality into daily life. This is a closed group (starts and ends with the same 6-8 men) and typically lasts for 30 consecutive weeks. It is offered only once per year.
For more information, call Mark Hodar, at 773.880.1310, ext. 86
Married and Formerly Married Bi/Gay Men and Their Families
- Married and Formerly Married Bi/Gay Men Discussion/Support Group
Groups forming now.
Designed specifically for bi/gay men who are or have been in heterosexual marriages, this group explores unique concerns including disclosure ("coming out" at home, at work, and with friends), dealing with shame/guilt, negotiating a relationship with wives or ex-wives, dealing with children, dealing with extended family and wife's extended family, dealing with former friendships, and establishing new relationships. This group meets weekly for approximately 1 1/2 hours and lasts 8 weeks. Membership in the group is limited to no more than 8 individuals.
For further information, contact: Tina Lee, LMFT at 773.880.1310 ext. 85
- Children of Gay Parents Discussion/Support Group
As parents are dealing with issues of sexual orientation and coming out, their children are frequently dealing with parallel issues which may include: shame, to tell or not to tell, questions about their own sexuality, and feelings of betrayal. These groups are organized by age and structured to provide a combination of education, support, and connection with others dealing with similar concerns.
For further information, contact Erich Heintzen, LCSW, eheintzen@liveoakchicago.com, or 773.880.1310 x83
- Wives and Ex-wives of Bi/Gay Men Workshop
Scheduled Regularly on Saturday Afternoons, 1-4 pm
This is a workshop designed to provide support and education to women who are or were married to men coming out as gay or bisexual. Topics to be covered include:
- the closet within the closet
- dealing with secrecy and double-lives
- addressing anger, sadness, guilt, and loss
- disclosing to children and extended family
- disclosing to friends and co-workers
- divorce, staying married, and everything in-between
- challenges in moving on
For further information, contact: Carolyn Schneider, LCPC at 773.880.1310, ext. 84 or cschneider@liveoakchicago.com
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