Any Social Workers/Counselors/Psychologists?

[Flybye]

So non-cycling related!
Work arg!!! Get out of my head -

Just hunting up some resources for a women's self esteem group that I will be either be leading or co-leading in about a month. I don't want to reinvent the wheel, so if you know of a book/dvd/etc that would be a good resource for me I would appreciate it.
Most of the women in the group will have had an addiction at some point in their life and all will have a mental health diagnosis of either bi-polar or uni-polar. All with history of abuse of one form or another, some currently being abused by spouses. Pretty broad group of women.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

[nancielle]

Sounds like some of them may likely also have PTSD if they're dealing with abuse.

A colleague of mine used this model for a group she ran at our agency
http://www.seekingsafety.org/

Stephanie Covington has done a lot of work around women, trauma & addiction (a lot of it with female offenders). I've adapted some of her work for the women in recovery groups that I conduct. She has articles available for download here: http://www.stephaniecovington.com/articles.asp

You might also want to do a web search on Claudia Black, Ph.D. (be sure to add the Ph.D. part because there's an actress with the same name and web searches pull up her info by the boatload.)

I've adapted parts of this book in my women's groups http://www.amazon.com/Womans-Comfort.../dp/0062505319 Amazon appears to have several used ones available.

Because I like to incorporate creative outlets in my groups, I'm in the process of developing a group based on this: http://www.stitchesdollproject.org/

Hope this helps.

[Flybye]

Thank you so much for the resources. I like knowing what has worked for others before I venture out. There is nothing worse than leading group with stuff and having 8 women stare at you with this look like - "wow, is this boring"! Been there, done that for one session of a 12 week group and spend the entire week between the second and third session coming up with something else

I will check it all out when I get back from the mountains, fishing and more importantly riding my bike - sing it with me, "she'll be coming around the mountain when she comes, she'll be coming around the mountain when she comes....."

Gracias mi amiga!

[indigoiis]

I went to a class that used this workbook "Wellness Workbook" by John Travis

[nancielle]

Hope you had a great time in the mountains!

Some other thoughts came to mind during the day which you may find helpful.

Planet Sark http://www.planetsark.com/

She's a survivor of sexual abuse. I've gotten a couple of her books at library book sales. You might want to check your local library. Amazon.com probably has 'em available too. Her work focuses on self-esteem in that she encourages many manageable ways (and some goofy stuff too) to be good to oneself.

http://www.healingstory.org/home.html

Journaling may also be a tool you'd like to use. When I've used this in group I encourage the participants to use any means of creative expression; photography, collage, sketching (helpful if you have participants who cannot read/write).
http://www.soulfulliving.com/peaceuponpage.htm

http://www.writingthejourney.com/goodies/printnow.htm

[invsblwmn]

Are you a LCSW? If not, it is good to have someone experienced leading the group with you. I have been a therapist since 1989. Been LSW for 7 years. Ran A LOT of groups. The only time the groups were boring or bad was when I did not know what I was doing and shouldn't have been running the group alone in my early years.

We can do more harm than good if we "wing" it. Working with an experienced therapist will teach you the skills you need to conduct productive healing groups. Good Luck!

[Flybye]

Thank you, the three of you for all of your help. I should have some time today to dig into those resources.
invsblwm - I am an LSW heading back to college in the fall of '08 for a master's in counseling. I would go for the LCSW, but the nearest accredited school is 5 hours away and I am in a season of life (3 kids) where that just isn't possible to swing.

I work with 3 counselors and will most likely have some help with the group. The gals that are in my group are pretty low functioning, on the verge of being put in our state hospital for psych care. Our job is to give them resources to keep them in the community.

Thanks again, gotta run to the office, speaking of work... Yikes, I'd better hustle!!