“Healing Every Part of Me”

Led by Gwen Harville-Washington, LCSW

How many times have you looked back at your life and wondered how you ended up where you are today?

This group is for you if you:

• Have difficulty saying “No” to others. 
• Are experiencing unexplained physical sensations/symptoms including, headaches, exhaustions, muscle tension, stomach aches, etc. that your medical professionals suggest may be related to emotional trauma
• Have difficulty balancing your work and personal life.
• Fear outweighs your ability to make important decisions.
• You feel stuck and unclear on the next steps to take in your life/work/relationships.
• Have difficulty communicating your needs and/or problem solving with your mate.
• Doubt your abilities/skills and the worth you bring to others.
• Have difficulty balancing financial needs and wants.

This group is not for you if:

• In-patient or intensive outpatient services would be more beneficial.
• Individual therapy is a better fit. 
• You are in crisis right now.
• You are actively in your addiction or not stabilized with your medication. 
• You do not have your own individual support (therapist, coach, pastor, other).
• You have not had any prior counseling experience.

In this support group members will examine the challenges they experience with a practice called Internal Family Systems (IFS). IFS examines the various parts of our personalities. These parts make up our internal family. Just like any other family, these parts or internal family members can be in conflict with each other. These parts play various roles in our lives and their intentions are to protect us. As we get to know these parts, we are better able to heal the wounds we have been carrying throughout our lives. For more information on IFS, please visit: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/internal-family-systems-therapy

The following questions provide a glimpse of what will be explored during the group. I will customize the focus of our time together once our cohort is formed and participants have completed a pre-group questionnaire. 

1. What is impacting my sense of self-worth? What messages did I receive (verbally and nonverbally) that directly impacted my sense of self-worth?

2. Why didn’t I complete my education/training? Why did I choose the course of study/career that I selected?

3. Why do I continue to take on added responsibilities? Why is it so difficult for me to say, “No” to other people’s requests/demands of me? How is this affecting my physical and emotional health?

4. Why did I choose my mate? Is my relationship/marriage/partnership what I want it to be? What part do I play in how my relationship functions?

5. Am I preparing adequately for my retirement? Are my financial decisions well thought out or do I act impulsively when it comes to my finances? What lessons did I learn about financial management and from whom?

6. Why do I continue to feel responsible for my adult children/siblings? Am I functioning as their childcare provider, banker, housekeeper or provide the lion’s share of the caregiving responsibilities for our aging parent(s)?

7. Am I behaving in a way that is consistent with my values, goals and spiritual beliefs? What legacy am I leaving behind?

Haven’t we all wanted to make decisions based on wisdom, good sense and sound judgment? Haven’t we all wanted to travel our life’s journey in a way that resonates with our spirit and heart that accurately reflects who we are at the core? Well maybe it’s time to take a deep dive and examine the parts of us that have influenced and guided our life decisions. There are parts that are well meaning in their intentions. At the same time, these same parts can cause us to second guess ourselves, take the “safe” route, be critical or judgmental of ourselves, and cause us to avoid anything that might cause us pain or discomfort. Join me for further exploration and answers to these questions.

To register for the group, please visit: https://forms.gle/GrdeFsDnXVfK...