There’s a lot of recession-related anxiety out there now. The number of people without jobs and/or health insurance is even more anxiety-provoking. Where can you go when you feel the twinges of “not enough”? To friends, certainly, at least for awhile, although if they are employed and you are not, the gap seems to widen between reaching out for friendship and pulling back into solitude. It’s not unusual for women to stop asking for help, for someone to listen, or for someone just to be with. When that brings isolation, the anxiety grows, turns into depression or chemical dependency or both.

If any of that resonates, give yourself the boost that comes from sharing with others in the same boat and allowing yourself to be supported. I’ve just begun offering a twice-monthly women’s group. Its purpose is to provide a place for healing support and new permissions. There’s a saying that goes “In times of stress, women tend to want to talk to other women.” That’s what this group is about.

I’ve been doing groups of many kinds for over 35 years and can testify to the power of the process. One woman who attended my group for two years stands out in my memory. She was one of the nicest people you’d ever meet, but beneath her smile was an anger so intense she had stomach problems that had turned into ulcerative colitis. One night in group she blurted out an angry phrase, then retreated quickly, chagrined and ashamed. Instead of greeting this in silence, the other women began slowly to applaud. The clapping reached a crescendo and there were a few hoops and hollers. She looked around with a stunned expression, then focused on me. “What’s the matter?” she said. “Anger is a natural feeling,” I said, “it’s your right, and you deserve to express it.” The other women cheered, she cried. After that night, she became a different person.

We meet at my new office at 7110 SW Fir Loop (#250) just seconds from the junction of I-5 and 217. I’ve made it affordable in these tough times. There’s a low-fee sliding scale for payment. It’s at a convenient time: 6:30 – 8:30 every other Tuesday night.

If you have been a client of mine, there’ll be a brief intake ($30) to update your record.
If you don’t know me, I’ll charge the same, but need more time for our introduction