Current Support Groups

DESCRIPTION: This virtual group is meant to provide psychoeducation around the impact of trauma to individuals who have experienced sexual trauma. This is not a processing group, no details of traumatic experiences will be shared. Instead, participants will be provided with the support and encouragement from one another while discussing common reactions after trauma, building coping skills, enhancing self esteem, gaining skills to build boundaries, understanding difficult emotions, and developing healthy supports.

The Coping Strategies for Trauma Group in comprised of 10 sessions that cyclical, and individuals can join at any time.

WHO: This group is inclusive of any gender identification and expression over the age of 18.

WHEN: Thursday evenings from 6:00pm-7:00pm

WHERE: Virtual via ZOOM (visit zoom.us for details)

REGISTRATION

 

*Pre-Registration is required

**If you have any additional questions please reach out to Caitlin Evan, Supervisor of Clinical Services at caitline@paar.net or 412-431-5665 ext 1122

DESCRIPTION: PAAR is offering a support group for any and all individuals that identify as male, are 18 and older, and have experienced sexual violence at any time in their life. The goal of group is to provide an opportunity for participants to express their emotions, receive support from others who have experience sexual violence, understand the dynamics of abuse, learn coping skills and improve their self-esteem.

WHO: This group is open to anyone who identifies as male and all sexual orientations are equally welcome.

WHEN: NEXT SESSION BEGINS ON JANUARY 11th. (To join the December 7th and/or 14th group email caitline@paar.net)

Group will meet Wednesday evenings from 6:00pm-7:30pm

WHERE: Virtual via ZOOM (visit zoom.us for details)

REGISTRATION

*Pre-Registration is required

**If you have any additional questions please reach out to Caitlin Evan, Supervisor of Clinical Services at caitline@paar.net or 412-431-5665 ext 1154

Description: This is an in-person closed processing group for those who have experienced sexual trauma. The Trauma Processing Group is limited to 10 participants per 10-week cycle. This group allows participants a space to share thoughts, feelings, and experiences with others who have experienced similar traumas. The group begins with breathing and relaxation or a therapeutic exercise to help members focus. The group then moves on to open sharing. This is an opportunity to listen, give input, and gain knowledge and support from each other. Themes of recovery, and how sexual trauma has affected members’ lives are shared and validated in a safe helpful atmosphere. The one-and-a-half-hour group session ends with meditation, deep breathing, or visualization.

WHO: The Trauma Processing Group is inclusive of any gender identification and expression over the age of 18.

WHEN: NEXT SESSIONS BEGINS ON FEBRUARY 23RD.

Every Thursday from 6:00 PM-7:30 PM

WHERE: PAAR’s Southside Office (81 S. 19th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203)

REGISTRATION: **Individuals interested in participating in this group do not need to participate in individual therapy at PAAR but must complete an intake. Contact 412-431-5665 ext 1122 to request an intake for group

***If you have any additional questions please reach out to Caitlin Evan, Supervisor of Clinical Services at caitline@paar.net or 412-431-5665 ext 1122

PLEASE NOTE THIS GROUP IS ON BREAK FOR THE SUMMER. For questions or to be added to the waitlist for next session please contact Katie Van Ness at KatieV@paar.net or 412-522-8438.

DESCRIPTION: This is a closed processing group for current undergraduate college students who have experienced sexual trauma.

This virtual group is limited to 10 participants per 10 week cycle. This group allows participants a space to share thoughts, feelings, and experiences with others who have experienced similar traumas. The group begins with a breathing or relaxation exercise to help engage focus. The group then moves on to open sharing, sometimes using themed discussion prompts. This is an opportunity to listen, give input, and gain knowledge and support from each other. Themes of recovery, and how sexual trauma has affected participants’ lives are shared and validated in a safe, helpful atmosphere. The one-and-a-half-hour group session ends with a meditation or visualization exercise. 

WHO: The College Student’s Virtual Support Group is inclusive of any gender identification and expression over the age of 18; must be a current undergraduate college student. This group is non-university specific; all undergraduate students are welcome to register.  

WHEN: TBD

WHERE: Virtual via ZOOM

Cycle currently on hold, please contact Katie Van Ness at KatieV@paar.net or 412-522-8438 to be placed on a waitlist.

 

Registration: *Individuals interested in participating in this group do not need to participate in individual therapy at PAAR but must complete a virtual intake appointment prior to joining the group. 

**If you have any additional questions, please reach out to Katie Van Ness at KatieV@paar.net or 412-522-8438

DESCRIPTION: This is an open group for LGBTQ+ individuals who have experienced sexual-based trauma. This is not a processing group, no details of individual traumatic incidents will be shared. The group provides space to share thoughts and feelings as survivors who are also in the LGBTQ+ community. The group begins with a brief creative activity to engage focus. The group then moves on to open sharing, sometimes using themed discussion prompts based on the needs or thoughts of the group members.

WHO: The LGBTQ+ Support Group is inclusive of all gender identifications and expressions within the LGBTQ+ community, must be over the age of 18. You do not need to be a current PAAR client in order to join this group.

WHEN: Each Tuesday – 6pm to 7pm. The group begins in July, however it is “open,” which means you can join at any point even if you have missed prior sessions.

WHERE: Virtual via ZOOM (visit zoom.com to download the app)

*CURRENTLY ON BREAK, WILL RESUME SOON*

*Pre-Registration is required

**To schedule an intake or for more information, contact Lily Long at LilyL@paar.net or (412) 874-0116

DESCRIPTION: This group is open to any adult who is supporting a child experiencing trauma. Weekly attendance is not mandatory; however, you are welcome to come as often as fits into your schedule. The group will discuss topics such as; the impact of trauma on children and their families, using coping skills with your child, parenting tips for children who have experienced trauma, talking to your children about their trauma experiences, and how to best support your child in healing.

Many of the topics are based off of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Parents In the Know.

This group will be facilitated by our PAAR Master’s Level Clinical Interns.

WHO: Any caregiver wanting to support a child in healing from trauma

WHEN: *Starting June 12th* Monday evenings from 7:00pm to 8:00pm

WHERE: Virtual via ZOOM (visit zoom.com to download the app)

REGISTRATION

*Individuals interested in participating in this group do not need to participate in individual therapy at PAAR but must complete a virtual intake appointment prior to joining the group.

**If you have any additional questions please reach out to Melissa Moore, Supervisor of Child & Family Counseling Center at melissam@paar.net or 412-431-5665 ext 1112

DESCRIPTION: This group is open to any child, ages 6-9, and their caregiver interested in attending together. The Strengthening Families Group is a child and caregiver collaborative psycho-educational and expressive arts group that focuses on strengthening the child and caregiver relationship. The group will utilize the expressive arts such art, music, and movement to discuss psycho-educational topics such as emotions, coping skills, healthy relationships, negative thoughts, body safety, secrets, and communication.

*Pizza dinner will be provided at the beginning of group to all that attend.

WHO: Any child, ages 6-9, and their caregiver.

WHEN: NEXT SESSIONS BEGINS ON FEBRUARY 6th.

Monday evenings from 5:30pm to 7:00pm

WHERE: PAAR’s Southside Office (81 S. 19th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203)

*CURRENTLY ON BREAK, WILL RESUME SOON*

*Individuals interested in participating in this group do not need to participate in individual therapy at PAAR but must complete a virtual intake appointment prior to joining the group.

**If you have any additional questions please reach out to Melissa Moore, Supervisor of Child & Family Counseling Center at melissam@paar.net or 412-431-5665 ext 1112