The Center for Counseling

The Center for Support Groups

“You’re not in this alone.” At The Ecumenical Center, that’s the message we want to convey to anyone going through divorce, grief, loss, illness, recovery or other difficult life situations. And that’s why we’ve long provided organization, referrals and venues for support groups of all kinds.support groups

Why support groups work

The simple reason is: No one knows what you’ve been going through like those who’ve been through the same things. They “get it” – perhaps more so than even well-meaning family, friends or coworkers. So this type of group can be a source of deep understanding, practical advice, and sympathy for your situation. Certainly, such groups can be an important adjunct or long-term follow-up to individual counseling.

Who benefits from support groups?

Experience has shown us that support groups can be valuable peer groups for people going through a wide range of life situations, including:

  • Grief/loss of a loved one (family member, child, close friend)
  • Divorce
  • Loss of security (job, home, savings, other)
  • Specific illness or condition (for those afflicted or for caregivers)
  • Recovery from mental or emotional issues (especially post-hospital or rehab)
  • Recovery from abuse or rape
  • Recovery from addiction (alcohol, drug, other)
  • Recovery from physical injury or trauma
  • Recovery from battlefield issues (injury, PTSD, etc.)
  • Reintegration into civilian life (for military/veteran)

How The Center helps

We understand the value of support groups and we know the importance of having good leaders and convenient, reliable places to meet. So we draw on a variety of resources to encourage the growth and success of these groups. In some cases, groups are led by our own counselors or by clergy or mental health professionals we know. We provide rooms for meetings within The Center itself – and we help locate other venues in the community (meeting rooms or classrooms in schools, churches, civic centers, and other private or public access buildings).

Some of the specific groups we support

We sponsor the following organizations and groups in-Center:

  • Life After Loss – grief/bereavement support groups: We offer Life After Loss as a community service at no charge to participants.  Sessions last two hours and are held once a week for six weeks.  We recommend that you plan to attend all six sessions.  See the chart here to find a session near you.
  • S.O.L.O.S. – (Survivors of a Loved One’s Suicide)
  • Recovery International – mental health post-hospital discharge support group
  • A.L.S. Association – South Texas Chapter
  • Us, Too Prostate Cancer Support Group
  • Recover, Inc. (For those with severe anxiety, panic, depression and phobias)
  • Buddhist Reading Group
  • Helping Survivors Find Their Way (For Ovarian and Breast Cancer Survivors)
  • Bereavement Support Groups
  • Additional Resources