Shofar Coalition in the Media
Survivor Groups Available for Women
Phil Jacobs, Executive Editor
Baltimore Jewish Times
November 19, 2008
Women who have experienced trauma, be it sexual molestation or physical or verbal abuse are going to be given opportunities to begin healing. It all comes as a result of a collaborative effort between the Shofar Coalition and Jewish Community Services. All of the groups will begin in late November, and involve 16 weeks of sessions in a private, confidential Pikesville location. There is a fee for the group, but that is something to be discussed between participant and therapist.
First, about the groups:
Creating Balance and Wellness: Recovery Through Art.
This group will be held on Tuesdays from 7-8:30 p.m. The facilitator is Peggy Kolodny, a board certified art therapist with over 27 years of experience working with survivors of sexual trauma. She can be reached at 410-292-4848. Through artwork and writing reflectively, participants can release emotions and regulate feelings, identify environmental stressors, build support networks, find a safe place for challenging memories and learn more creative problem solving.
There are no art skills required.
From Survivor to Thriver: Building Coping Strategies.
This group will meet Thursdays from 6-7:30 p.m. The facilitator is Chris Cronin, a therapist with many years of experience addressing women's issues and trauma. She can be reached at 410-843-7440. Participants will discuss self care, setting healthy boundaries, recognizing and dealing with triggers, relationship and trust, intimacy and sexuality and spirituality.
You Are Not Alone.
This will be a healing group for Orthodox women, ages 19-26, who have endured traumatic experiences. This group will begin in December and will meet on Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The facilitator is Pam Weissman, a therapist with many years of experience in this area, and who is a member of the Orthodox community. She can be reached at 410-207-9395. The group goals are to build a dynamic and vibrant support network; to find a safe haven for challenging memories; to engage in activities that are life affirming, and to cultivate coping skills that are long lasting.
Ms. Cronin said that in her experience the word "shame" seems to be the common denominator of many survivors. "The shame is huge," she said. Orthodox women, said Ms. Weissman will discuss issues of self preservation that impact their religious, social and cultural makeup.
"How far do we take issues surrounding shame?" said Ms. Weissman.
The clinicians spoke about the giving molestation survivors the tools they need to be able to look at themselves as whole human beings. Also, how to overcome family situations where "don't tell" is a common strategy to make a molestation "just go away."
But it doesn't usually go away. Ms. Kolodny called molestation often a "crime against the family. Our group is to ensure that survivors know that they are so 'okay' and have so much self worth."
There is an external wall created, they said, where a survivor will sometimes feel that if they over achieve or reach grand heights in their careers or personal lives, then no one can hurt them again.
The therapists also wanted to emphasize the groups will meet the clients' needs for safety and confidentiality. And as one of the clinicians said, survivors often have a very real feeling that they or their experience is looked at as if it didn't exist. There's a sense of betrayal by their family and their faith.
Survivors will often ask, "who am I?, "where do I belong?, I don't belong here."
People, added Ms. Kolodny, are "seeking control. Can you fight? Can you fly? Can you freeze? Well, we're part of an unfreezing program. And we use art as a tool."
"We are offering a nurturing place where a person can allow herself to heal," said Joan Kristall, who is coordinating the groups. "We want them to know that it is possible to heal."
There are some survivors who will be coming to the groups from individual therapeutic settings. Groups, according to Ms. Cronin, often offer a connectivity, an emotional connection.