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GROUPS
Becoming Safely Embodied: A 12-Week Skills Group for Trauma Survivors (Groups for women forming now)
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 meeting are offered at the cost of $50/session.
For more information, please contact Jaime Henry-Juravic at 773.880.1310, x 88 or via e-mail at jhenryjuravic@liveoakchicago.com.
CONNECTED!
Connected! is a series of low and no cost 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 low or no cost, pre-registration is required as space is limited. More information about each of the Connected! community workshops is described below:
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Gay Men Connected!
A Saturday Discussion Series for Gay Men
Saturday Mornings: $10/workshop or $50 for the Series of Six
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Located in Lakeview
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. Each Saturday will be devoted to one of many central relational themes in the lives of gay men:
April 9, 2011
Identity: Inside and Out
How We See Ourselves and How We
Present Ourselves to the World
April 23, 2011
Sex
How We Define and Incorporate Sex in Our Lives
April 30, 2011
Dating and Relationships
How We Connect With Other Gay Men
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May 14, 2011
Masculinity
How We Connect With What It Means to Be Male
May 28, 2011
Self-Esteem, Confidence, and Pride
How We Support a Positive Sense of Self
June 11, 2011
Family: The One You Get and The One You Create
How We Define and Relate to "Family"
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Mindfully Connected 2012
A Saturday Morning Mindfulness Series
Monthly, 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Mindfulness practices allow us to develop our "internal observer" by noticing, without judgment, the activity in our bodies and minds. The Mindfully Connected series consists of 6 workshops, meeting once monthly, in which participants will learn and practice new skills geared toward being more fully present in the 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.
The series will begin in January 2012 and will meet one Saturday of the month from 10:00-11:30am. The dates and topics for each month are listed below. Attendance at all groups is recommended, but not required, for participation in the series. Mindfully Connected is offered at no cost as part of the larger Connected series at Live Oak. However, pre-registration is required.
For more information, or to register, contact Alissa Eischens at 773.880.1310 x77298 or
aeischens@liveoakchicago.com
Quiet Body/Quiet Mind: January 28, 2012
Quiet Body/Quiet Mind provides an opportunity to learn the basics of mindfulness and how to incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily life; effecttive in reducing stress, creating a sense of calm, and enhancing self-awareness and general well-being.
Creatively Connected: February 11, 2012
Creatively Connected is an invitation to reconnect to your core creativity for enjoyment and personal insight. Using simple art materials and reflective journaling, participants will engage in the creative process in a non-judgmental space free of comment and critique.
Mindful Eating: March 10, 2012
In our hectic world, the joy of eating simple, nourishing food from the earth with intention and gratitude is often lost. In Mindful Eating, participants will experience how slowing down, tuning into our senses, and listening to our bodies can radically shift our relationships to food.
Mindfulness in Relationships: April 14, 2012
In relationships, we often struggle with balancing our needs and the needs of others. In this workshop, participants will use sensory experiences to become more present and fulfilled in their relationships.
Managing Distressing Emotions: May 12, 2012
In Managing Distressing Emotions we will practice and expand our internal foundation of grounded presence through skills that will assist in identifying thoughts, feelings and body sensations and begin to discover an internal wise self.
Mindful Movement: June 9, 2012
Awaken your senses to the energetic subtleties of how you move and carry your body. In Mindful Movement we will explore how increasing awareness of our movement can bring us more fully and joyfully into our lived experience.
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Create Space: Introductory Creative Process Workshops
As adults we sometimes lose touch with the joy and power of creative expression. Create Space is an invitation to reconnect to your creative source for enjoyment, insight, and guidance. Using simple art materials and personal journaling, participants have fun, enhance awareness, and create space to expand creative capacity for growth and intentional change. To provide safety and structure, the group format of Create Space is free of all comment and critique. No art making or writing experience is needed, just an openness to discovery. Pre-registration is required and a $20 fee includes all materials.
Upcoming Workshops:
February 18, 2012
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
March 31, 2012
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
April 21, 2012
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
May 19, 2012
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
For more information or to register contact Cal Calvird at 773.880.1310 ext. 77627 or or e-mail at ccalvird@liveoakchicago.com.
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Wildflowers: A Retreat for Women Experiencing Sadness and Worry
It can often be challenging to express vulnerable feelings. Finding a community that understands those difficult and sometimes paralyzing feelings can provide comfort and support. However, feelings of anxiety often deter individuals from joining groups. This workshop will focus on non-verbal techniques that are geared toward relieving feelings of stress and despair. In a quietly safe environment, participants will be encouraged to experiment with expressing and healing in new, creative, and non-threatening ways.
The next Wildflowers workshop is in the process of being scheduled. The fee for this workshop is $20 and pre-registration is required as space is limited. To register, please contact Meghan Johnson Westmacott, CTRS at 773.880.1310, ext. 77626 or e-mail at mjohnson@liveoakchicago.com.
"Where flowers bloom, so does hope." l. johnson
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
LGBTQ Networking Cancer Support Group
This group provides an opportunity to share information and experiences for LGBTQ people who have cancer themselves or are supporting a partner living with cancer. This group is offered in partnership with Gilda's Club and is free of charge.
3rd Wednesday of every month; 6:00p-7:30p
537 North Wells Street, Chicago, IL 60654, (312)464-9900 or contact Mark Petroelji, LPC at 773.880.1310, ext. 77294
Married and Formerly Married Bi/Gay Men and Their Families
- Married and Formerly Married Bi/Gay Men Discussion/Support Group
(Groups forming now) Tuesday evenings.
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, please contact: Mark Hodar, LPC at 773.880.1310, ext. 86
- 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
These workshops are 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
Upcoming Workshops:
Feb 5 or May 7
10 am-12:30 pm
For more information or to register for a workshop, contact: Carolyn Schneider, LCPC at 773.880.1310, ext. 84 or email cschneider@liveoakchicago.com.
Music for Health:
An Eight Session Group Exploring the Benefits of Music, Drumming, and Song
Music has been known for centuries to help the mind, body, and soul. With advances in research, music is shown to have powerful influences on our brain, in turn having significant impacts on the whole body. With no musical background required, this group is intended to provide tangible tools to incorporate music into personal healing and self-improvement. Participants will learn about drumming, singing, music assisted relaxation, using music for self expression...and even song-writing. No instruments or previous musical knowledge required but is of course welcome!
For more information and/or to schedule an initial conversation, please contact Rachel Rilinger, MA, MT-BC at 773.880.1310, ext. 77617 or at rrilinger@liveoakchicago.com. The group will begin June 2011.
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 Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings or Tuesday mornings for 1 1/2 hours.
For more information, contact Erich Heintzen, LCSW at 773.880.1310, ext. 83.
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