Are You Looking For A Divorce Support Group?

By Ilissa Banhazl, MFT-

Divorce is an extremely stressful event to go through. We hope for cooperation from partners but that doesn’t always happen does it?

Getting divorced is not a failure. It just means it isn’t working anymore. When you have children I encourage you to try to make it work.

Going from being  a married person to single person and maybe even single parent can be very disorienting. You may feel unreal at times. It’s like having a shock and going through the stages of grief and loss. Unless you are thrilled to be free.

Q. When should I get back out there socially? How do I do that? I haven’t dated in years. I hate dating!

A. Push dating off for a bit and use this time to heal and understand what went wrong in your relationship so that it doesn’t carry over to your next relationship. I suggest you stay on your own for at least 6 months. Work on yourself and get stronger and wiser. Yes, you should get out there socially but with friends.

These are the things we talk about in this Divorce Group. It can be very helpful to have the support and friendship of others who are experiencing the same trauma as you. I will facilitate this group and everyone is safe and group is confidential.

If you think this may be a group for you please call for more information at 626-335-0903

Males and Females welcome! If group is not your thing, I see many couples outside of group.

Members are welcome from Monrovia, Upland, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga, La Verne, Glendora, San Dimas, Azusa, West Covina, Covina and any other city.

Want to learn more about the Divorce Group right now!

ABC News Sponsored Twitter Chat Welcomes Ilissa Banhazl, Marriage and Family Psychotherapist in Glendora

Please join ABC’s Dr. Besser and myself along with 4 other  eating disorder experts as we chat about males with eating disorders. This is a topic that has been long ignored.

 This will be an ABC News sponsored Twitter chat, with Chief Health and Medical Editor, Dr. Richard Besser.

It will be on Tuesday February 28th from  10 am- 11am Pacific Time and 1- 2 PM EST

Go to  www.tweetchat.com To enter the chat type in-  hashtag abcdrbchat

Are you a male who needs to talk about body image or disordered eating?

Women’s Group Has a Few More Openings!

Women's Support Group-

Joining a women’s support group is probably one of the smart things you can do for yourself. Nothing like being in a room with 7 other women who really care about you. In our women’s group topics range from dating to divorce, work issues, friend issues, mom issues, weight issues, health issues, parenting issues, men!, and more.

Give yourself the gift of one and half hours a week with time to talk about what’s going on with you, what’s bothering you, or share good news. You’ll leave feeling satisfied and loved.

So come tell us, “What’s on your mind?”

Want to join ours women’s group therapy group?

Need Some Laughs? Join My Parenting Group!

Need a good laugh?

Of all my groups, my parenting group usually gets the most laughs no matter how upset you are with your situation. Not to lessen the frustration parents feel, but sitting with other parents hearing similar comments and struggles somehow makes everyone feel better. In this group you will get a chance to share about your particular situation. You’ll receive support from other members and learn healthy parenting skills so that you and your child can get along better. Some of the things we learn are:

1. Democratic Authoratative Parenting

2. Tools for better communication.

3. Understand your child’s needs and behaviors better.

4. Understand your own responses and choose new behaviors.

5. How to run a family meeting.

 6. How to include your child in creating their own consequences.

7. Reduce conflict and increase family closeness.

 If you’d like to join this group or would like to find out more please call 626-335-0903 or visit www.ilissabanhazlmft.com and click on groups.

Want to join right now?

Looking For Group Therapy?

I appreciate all the emails that I have received inquiring about group therapy. I’ve put the information here for anyone who needs more information about their group.

Of course you may call my office at 626-335-0903 for more information or to set up a pre-group meeting. You and I can talk more about  your group and make sure that the group you have chosen is a good fit for you. There is no charge for this visit.

Please know that I will call you back in the order I receive your call or email. Thank you.

List of Groups

Women’s Support Group

Women’s Divorce Group

Single’s Group

Women’s Eating Disorder and Body Image Group

 Parenting Group

Couples Group

Bereavement /Grief and Loss Group

 

 Here’s the scoop!

1. You must be 18 years or older to join a group.
2. Your group will be limited to 8 members so people get more time to talk.
3. We will meet in my office in Glendora; one evening a week on either a Tuesday or Wednesday.
4. Group will meet for an hour and a half weekly for 8 weeks; from 7:30pm until 9pm.  
5. The weekly fee for group is $50.  I accept PPO insurance. After two months we will reevaluate whether members want to continue or say goodbye.

If you will, look through the list above and choose a group that best suits you. You can also visit my website at www.ilissabanhazlmft.com to read more about a specific group. Click on Group Therapy in the black menu bar at the top.

 You can email me at ilissa@ilissabanhazlmft.com  if you’d like to talk about a group but it’s always best to talk one on one. You can reach me at 626-335-0903.

This week I’ll begin posting more information about each kind of group so please check my blog every few days for more group information.

Thank you,

“I have been looking everywhere for a group!”

All members from Pasadena, Chino Hills, Monrovia, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga and La Verne will meet in Glendora

Ilissa’s Group TherapyTip # 4- How to Figure Out What You’re Feeling in Group or Anywhere

In group I often will ask members what they are feeling in the moment. Sometimes it’s hard to know and so we practice weekly. In group I pass out a List of Feelings to help you choose and I have added a link so that you can print out the list and do this exercise at home. http://www.psychpage.com/learning/library/assess/feelings.html

Ask yourself- What am I feeling right now? Scan your list to see if there are 3 feelings that describe you. I like how the list is broken down into categories. Try and do this every day for two weeks. After two weeks look at your personal feelings list and see if you can find any patterns. You’ll gain information about yourself. You can do this anytime you want to check in with yourself.

You’ll find it easier to know what you want and need if you are aware of what you’re feeling. Many times we fill ourselves with all kinds of addictions and/or activities without even knowing what it is we truly feel and need.

Once you know what you’re feeling you can problem solve better, communicate better with significant people and feel better. Why you might even find out that you’re a pretty happy person right now!

Like this exercise? Sign up here to join a group and learn other techniques to help you get to know yourself better.

Tip # 3: How to Get the Most Out of Your Group Experience

Written by Ilissa Banhazl

Each week come to group prepared to share something about you. When your group facilitator asks if anyone needs time to talk tonight; take a risk and say, “I do.” You deserve to take up space!

Sometimes however, there may not be time for you to share on a given evening. One or two people may have something big going on. Coping with this feeling is a great learning experience too. Next week, when your group facilitator asks who needs time to speak, make sure to speak up quickly and clearly; “I do.” You can talk about how it feels when you don’t get time to share or anything else that’s on your mind that week.

You will get out of group what you put into it. Group is confidential!

Are you ready to share about yourself in a safe group?

List of Groups at www.ilissabanhazlmft.com

Ilissa’s Tip #2- Joining a Group in January

Joining a group in January if you’re dealing with an issue or life transition is a great idea. In a group situation you get support, a chance to talk and be heard and understood, meet new people, and have an opportunity to learn new things about yourself.

New groups will be starting up in January. Call to reserve your spot! Only 8 members in each group. Group meets for an hour and a half; 1 night a week in the evenings. Free interview with sign up.

Groups offered in January include:

1. Women’s Support

2. Grief and Loss (Bereavement)

3. Divorce

4. Singles

5. Eating Disorders

6. Parenting

7. Couples

8. Pre-marital

Visit my website to register for a group. www.ilissabanhazlmft.com 

 Contact me directly at 626-335-0903

Email me at ilissa@ilissabanhazlmft.com

Everything is confidential!

Free Webinar Join UsThis Morning: How to Cope With Stress through the Holidays When You’re Unemployed

Free Webinar this morning! If you haven’t joined one of my groups yet then this webinar is for you!

Join a group of us online as we discuss coping throughout the holiday season when you are unemployed. It’s not an easy task but there are things you can do.

Tune in at 11am this morning and you will be able to participate, ask questions and learn new skills for coping at this difficult time.

You can register at my website www.ilissabanahzlmft.com

Hurry, it’s almost time to start!

Free Webinar: Coping with Stress From Unemployment Through the Holidays

Excuse me as I digress from Group Therapy for a moment.

I am doing a free webinar with Bobby Edelman from Interns over 40. Any age worker will find this webinar useful.

The topic is How You Can Cope with Stress from Unemployment through the Holidays.

Join us on Thursday December 15th at 11am Pacific time.

To sign up for the free webinar please click on this link.

https://brt89802.infusionsoft.com/app/form/cracking-the-midlife-codes-start-web-form

You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions!

Looking for group therapy?