The Healing Center - Our Services

Our services

*Our services recently changed. Feel free to read these attachments about how we have updated!*

The Healing Center's services are confidential and provided at no cost to clients. All groups and support sessions are facilitated by people who are experienced with the issue of sexual abuse. If we are unable to meet your needs, we connect you with therapists in the community who specialize in sexual abuse and assault.

The Healing Center staff is committed to removing any barriers that would keep people from attending. Feel free to inquire about transportation and child services if needed.

To get started on your healing journey, call The Healing Center to schedule an intake appointment. 414.671.4325

What is a closed group?

The Healing Center's closed groups run in 14-16 week cycles (with exception of The Creative Healing Series) and once started, close to new participants. Weekly attendance is strongly encouraged.

All services are confidential and provided at no cost to clients. An “intake” session is required before participation in services.

Women’s Support Groups:

-Survivors Toward Recovery Group – our newcomer’s group

(runs in cycles of 8 weeks; for building coping skills prior to trauma processing)

-Adult Women Molested as Children

(runs in cycles of 15 weeks)

-Adult Rape/SA Support Group

(runs in cycles of 12 weeks)

-Sexual Wholeness Group

(runs in cycles of 12 weeks; for reclaiming intimacy and sexuality)

-Support for Spanish-Speaking Survivors

(currently accepting referrals; meets twice a month)

-Creative Healing Series

(runs in cycles of 6 weeks; art and writing group with a healing theme)

Men’s Support Groups:

-Men’s Survivors Toward Recovery Group – our newcomer’s group

(runs in cycles of 8 weeks; for building coping skills prior to trauma processing)

-Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse/Assault

(runs in cycles; currently accepting referrals)

Male Survivors

Individual supportive counseling

For women and men who are working on sexual assault, sexual abuse and/or stalking issues. Criteria for this service are as follows:

Client is uninsured, underinsured or has no resources to pay a therapist in the community
Client does not have major mental health or AODA (alcohol/drug) issues that require treatment or therapy

Individual Advocacy and Support

For survivors who want to be accompanied to court, the police, or a doctor’s appointment, want to talk one-on-one, or want help beginning their healing journey.

Body and Energy Work & Movement Classes

The Healing Center offers an array of natural therapies in collaboration with Core el Centro, a holistic healing center located right next door (on the same floor). Listed below are just some of the services offered:

Massage
Reiki
Acupuncture
Yoga
Pilates
Nia

Survivors and Allies Seminars

These seminars provide allies with information on what sexual assault is, how to talk to and support a survivor, and how to deal with their feelings as an ally.

Topic Nights

Held on Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30pm, these FREE evening classes focus on various components of the healing process and are intended for survivors and their loved ones. Staff present information, give handouts and lead exercises regarding a chosen topic. If interested, you must sign up with Stacy before the scheduled meeting. These topic nights are open to all in the community who wish to attend!

Call (414) 671-4325 or email Stacy to attend or receive more information (stacy.andraski@aurora.org).

2012 Topic Nights

Jan 18

5:30 – 7:30pm

Self-defeating Patterns and Self-talk I

As survivors of sexual abuse, we often internalize self-defeating statements, patterns of behavior, and ways of feeling. We’ll learn about how these internalized parts of the abuse experience play out in our current life and how to use this knowledge to create positive change in the healing process. Tricia facilitates this presentation/discussion. Open to survivors only.

Jan 25

5:30 – 7:30pm

Self-defeating Patterns and Self-talk II

In this follow up to the July 29 topic night, we’ll do concrete work on the ways that these internalized parts of the abuse experience play out in our current life. With exercises we’ll create a strategy to address the self-defeating patterns and negative self-talk that keep us stuck.

Tricia facilitates this presentation/discussion. Open to survivors only.

Feb 8

5:30 – 7:30pm

Understanding (Sexual) “Trauma”

To aid in the healing process, we look at what sexual “trauma” is and how it can affect us physically, mentally, and emotionally. Information on what is necessary for healing to happen will be explored. Introductory information about PTSD will be provided.

Mel facilitates this presentation/discussion for survivors, loved ones, and community providers from the general public to learn more.

Feb 22

5:30 – 7:30pm

PTSD II (“complex PTSD”)

Experiencing sexual trauma leads to a variety of emotional, physical, and mental aftereffects. When the abuse occurs repeatedly, or at a young age, or ongoing, the aftereffects can become tied in with our sense of self and the world. Come learn about complex PTSD and how to manage and heal the symptoms. Mel facilitates this presentation/discussion for survivors, loved ones, and community providers from the general public to learn more.

April 4

5:30 – 7:30pm

Male Survivors – The Healing Path

We’ll discuss issues important to male survivors and their healing, including the challenges that men face in their healing process.

Mel & ? facilitate this presentation/discussion. Open to survivors only.

April 18

5:00-8:00 p.m.

Mindfulness Workshop

Dissociation is one of the most common coping strategies that help survivors get through trauma and its aftereffects. We’ll discuss what dissociation is, how and why it happens, and share ideas about how to become more present if dissociation is an obstacle in your current life. Tricia and Jennifer facilitate this presentation/discussion. Open to survivors only.

April 25

5:30 – 7:30pm

Denim Day Celebration

May 2

5:30 – 7:30pm

Boundaries

Sexual abuse/assault are a violation of our basic personal boundaries. Often the experience of sexual trauma creates confusion about boundaries – what are healthy boundaries? How do we create and effectively maintain them? This discussion will focus in on some of the common ways that survivors struggle with boundaries and suggest concrete tools that can be used to strengthen your healthy boundaries. Mel facilitates this presentation/discussion. Open to survivors only.

May 16

5:30 – 7:30pm

Boundaries part II

June 13

5:30 – 7:30pm

Creating Healthy Relationships

Sexual trauma survivors sometimes struggle with creating and maintaining healthy relationships (friendships & romantic relationships). We’ll discuss characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships, and how to use heart, intuition, and mind to establish and maintain positive connections. Mel facilitates this presentation/discussion for survivors, loved ones, and community providers from the general public to learn more.

June 6

5:30 – 7:30pm

Boundaries & Exiting Unhealthy Relationships

We’ll review characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships, and utilize specific scenarios to discuss the setting of boundaries, evaluation of the relationship, and potential exit strategies and resources. Mel facilitates this presentation/discussion. Open to survivors only.

June 20

5:30 – 7:30pm

Assertiveness Skills I

Developed in response to your requests! Part I of II on developing assertiveness skills in your life. We’ll learn what assertiveness is (and isn’t), what each person’s assertive “rights” are, and how to practice and build effective assertiveness skills.

Trish facilitates this presentation/discussion for survivors, loved ones, and community providers from the general public to learn more.

August 1

5:30 – 7:30pm

Assertiveness Skills II

Part II on developing assertiveness skills in your life. We’ll talk about how other people can challenge our assertive rights and boundaries, and how to stand firm in the face of anger, guilt trips, manipulation, and other strategies designed to challenge our assertive practice.

Trish facilitates this presentation/discussion for survivors, loved ones, and community providers from the general public to learn more.

Aug 15

5:30 – 7:30pm

Survivors and Sexuality

This topic night is for survivors and their partners/loved ones. We’ll talk about the healing process, issues survivors experience in intimacy and sex, and how best to communicate during this challenging “growth period.”

Mel facilitates this presentation/discussion for survivors, loved ones, and community providers from the general public to learn more.

Sept 5

5:30 – 7:30pm

What do we know about perpetrators?

We’ll discuss the behavior of adult perpetrators of sexual abuse. Understanding their methods of coercion and manipulation (grooming) is an important part of sorting through the negative beliefs we, as survivors, may carry about ourselves. Learn about the different “categories” of abusers.

Maryann facilitates this presentation/discussion for survivors, loved ones, and community providers from the general public to learn more.

Sept 19

5:30 – 7:30pm

Planning for Disclosures & Confrontations

Most survivors contemplate telling someone about the abuse, either to expand their support circle or to set boundaries. During this presentation we talk about the important questions to ask yourself before taking the big step to disclose the abuse to someone or confront your abuser. How you plan for these steps can make a big difference in the process.

Mel facilitates this presentation/discussion. Open to survivors and their loved ones.

Oct. 3

5:30 – 7:30pm

Forgiveness

Survivors are often pressured by others (or themselves!) to forgive their abusers and those who didn’t protect them. However, forgiveness or “letting go” are processes that can’t be forced, and usually come at the end of the Stages of Grief/Loss. We’ll explore these processes in depth.

Mel facilitates this presentation/discussion for survivors, loved ones, and community providers from the general public to learn more.

Oct. 17

5:30 – 7:30pm

Dealing with Anxiety & Fears

By your request! We’ll examine the causes and symptoms of anxiety, fears, and phobias. We’ll also explore helpful techniques and strategies to begin to face, manage, and reduce their power in our lives.

Tricia facilitates this presentation/discussion for survivors, loved ones, and community providers from the general public to learn more.

Nov. 7

5:30 – 7:30pm

Stewards of Children

This training teaches adults to own the responsibility of keeping children safe from sexual abuse. It raises awareness about the frequency of this type of abuse and the after-effects that children suffer while growing up and through to adulthood. The training also educates about the safety steps for keeping children out of harm's way.

Stephanie & ? facilitate this presentation/discussion. Open to survivors & loved ones.

Dec. 5

5:30 – 7:30pm

Neurobiology of Trauma

Come learn about the scientific breakthroughs that have helped us to understand how sexual trauma affects our brains and the ways that survivors are finding to heal and manage those effects. Awareness of these issues can help us direct our healing process to the source. Mel facilitates this presentation/discussion for survivors, loved ones, and community providers from the general public to learn more.

Dec. 12

5:30 – 7:30pm

Healthy & Effective Communication

Communication is a key skill for boundaries, assertiveness, and getting our needs met! We’ll talk about nonverbal and verbal communication, how certain behaviors are perceived, and how to convey the message you want to send. We’ll also talk about key guidelines for healthy & effective communication.

Jennifer facilitates this presentation/discussion for survivors, loved ones, and community providers from the general public to learn more.

December 19 – Winter Celebration 2012