YWCA to sponsor sessions for women

YWCA is sponsoring a "Women's Group" for the next 12 weeks for women that are involved in or recovering from an abusive relationship.

Meetings will be held on Thursdays from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Joint School District #171 Meeting Room, 1051 Michigan Ave. in Orofino. The sessions are open and there is no fee.

The object of the sessions is to promote hope, humor and health through some concepts including:

• Stop the cycle of abuse
• Explore power and control
• Learn how to be safe
• Build self-esteem
• Define healthy boundaries
• Acquire positive coping skills
• Manage stress & anger

The topics of the sessions are listed below:

• May 18 "When did my abuse begin?"
  *Seven main areas of abuse and affect on victim(s)
• May 25 "Why don't my wants and needs matter in this relationship?"
  *Power and Control and who has it
• June 1 "How do my childhood experiences affect me now?"
  *PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) can develop from childhood trauma
• June 8 "Why do I feel bruised and beaten internally?"
  *How emotional abuse destroys lives
• June 15 "Shouldn't families stay together no matter what occurs?"
  *Family dynamics of an abusive household
• June 22 "How do I let go of the dreams for this relationship?"
  *Coping with the grief and loss of unrealistic dreams
• June 29 "What can depression do to me?"
  *Mental and physical effect of depression on women
• July 6 "How can I dissolve the anger and guilt?"
  *Skills to develop healthy emotions
• July 13 "What if I don't like the real me?"
  *Developing healthy self-esteem for a lifetime
• July 20 "Am I strong enough to stand alone?"
  *Self talking through the steps to start over
• July 27 "How do I develop non-abusive relationships?"
  *Building healthy and supportive relationships
• Aug. 3 "How can I better communicate my needs to others?"
  *Being assertive but not aggressive to get our needs met
• Aug. 10 "What blueprints for change can I complete?"
  *Laying out a course of action and change for me.

For further information, contact Clearwater County Advocate Stacy Taylor at 476-5771 or the YWCA at 800-669-3176