Teachers Support Groups
Monday 5:30pm-6:45pm; Tuesday 5:30pm-6:45pm
This is a short-term support group run by Sarai Reed (6th grade teacher) and Catherine Grothus (therapist) that will provide a safe space for teachers to talk openly and honestly about the challenges they have experienced working with students and families during a pandemic.
Monday's Group is for marginalized and/or disadvantaged teachersthat work in the DC Public School System or in a DC Public Charter School.
Tuesday's Group is for teachers that work in any Public School System or Public Charter School.
There will be elements of psycho-education, processing, and general support each week. Where this group may provide some therapeutic response from sharing and receiving support, this is a support group and not meant to be used for therapeutic purposes. The group will consist of eight group members and run for eight consecutive weeks.
Some discussion topics for this group will include :
Education as a Flawed Structure; What it Means to be Part of a Failing System
Top Down Leadership; Feeling Excluded from Decisions and Policymaking That Affect our Everyday
Emotional Labor; What to do with the Heavy Baggage Our Students Trust us with
Raising Other People's Kids; Navigating Toxic Teacher Parent Relationships
Work Life Balance; Knowing When to Log Off and Saying No to Admin Asks
Sarai Reed is a native Washingtonian and sixth grade English teacher at a public charter school in northwest. This is her fifth year in the classroom. Previously she taught ninth and tenth grade English at a DC public high school.
Catherine Grothus is a mental health therapist who has extensive experience working with groups. She is a relational therapist that focuses her work in the realms of addiction, trauma and sexual health.
Women's Psychotherapy Process Groups
Wednesday 6:30 p.m. - 7:40 p.m. (20’s/early 30’s), Wednesday 7:45 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. (30ish and up)
In the current social and political climate, society's awareness of women's struggles is rising. While these struggles are not new, safe and supportive spaces to explore with other women are needed more than ever. This group will provide just that: an outlet for women to explore themselves, their lives and their relationships. Participants will also provide support to others through their strengths of experience and insight. These are both long-term groups.
Exploring Your Relationship with Substances: Contemplation & Moderation in the Age of Social Distancing
Saturday 1:30 p.m. - 2:40 p.m.
Navigating one’s relationship with substance use can be a challenge, especially while social distancing. There are many gray areas of what works from some, may not work for others. Some struggle with complete abstinence, where others come to determine that is the only way for them in live a healthy life. This group is place to explore where you are in your relationship to a substance. This will be a safe space to explore one’s relationship to a substance. There will be elements of psycho-education, processing and general support each week. The group will run for six consecutive weeks.
Group Topics will include:
Impacts of Social Distancing on Substance Use
What is Moderation?
Assessing Risk and Limits
Relationships (Self/Substances/Others)
Managing Emotional Self Care
Staying Present
Recovery in the Age of Social Distancing
Thursday 7:30 p.m. - 8:40 p.m.
Navigating recovery while social distancing can create a vulnerability in both one’s sobriety as well as emotional and social well-being. This is a short-term group that will provide a safe space for individuals in recovery to talk about the challenges that have come with social distancing, process the grief and loss that comes from our current state of the world, and provide/receive support from others in the group. There will be elements of psycho-education, processing and general support each week. The group will run for six consecutive weeks.
Group Topics will include:
Impacts of Social Distancing in Recovery
Grief and Loss
Relationships
Emotional Recovery
Self-Care
Staying Present