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Boundaries With Kids

Purpose of Support Groups
Beaverton Christian's support groups are designed to provide a caring and supportive atmosphere in which to promote growth and healing in your life.

Benefits of participating in a Support Group

• Supportive interaction with others who may understand and have similar life experiences.
• A safe place to talk about the struggles and joys of life while seeking to grow and heal.
• Learn more about the support group topic through education and the experiences of others.

Support Group meetings
Groups consist of 6 to 12 individuals gathered together to focus on a mutual concern or area of interest.  Support group meetings are a time of supportive group conversation that is kept respectful, and on topic by the trained leaders of the groups.

The leaders present some educational material, but the primary focus is to provide an atmosphere where social, emotional and spiritual support can take place.  Each individual sets his/her own pace for personal growth and healing.

Group Expectations
As a member of the group you are asked to regularly attend the meetings, and to treat the other group members with respect and support.  Confidentiality is crucial to group cohesiveness and safety.

Leaders of Support Groups
Each support group is led by a qualified leader who has been trained as a group facilitator.  The leaders are lay ministers or counseling interns of Beaverton Christian.  All support groups are supervised under the direction of Kate Meredith, a Licensed professional counselor.

Support Groups and Therapy
The support groups are not designed to replace personal therapy.  Support groups can complement your professional therapy by providing a supportive peer group.  Education, mutual accountability, personal growth, and healing are natural outcomes of the group experience.  However, some issues may be too complex to be addressed only in the support group, and simultaneous therapy may be needed.

Child Care
Child care is usually available, by reservation, for children through the age of ten.

Fees
Most support groups are free of charge.  However, there may be an offering taken to help defer child care costs.

Group Participation
Support groups are a ministry offered to the community.  Adult men and women who want to work on personal growth and healing may register for a group.  A short interview is required to determine if the group is right for you.

Registration
To register for a support group call Beaverton Christian's counseling administrator at (503) 646-2151 ext. 240.