Single Again

Divorce/Separation Support Group

Single Again provides discussion groups for adults experiencing marital separation or divorce. Weekly informative presentations are made by a mental health professional. Small group discussions led by trained group facilitators follow the presentations. Single Again provides a confidential, non-judgemental, safe and sharing atmosphere. Typical discussion issues include:

• Loneliness and alienation
• Depression and anger
• Economic and social adjustments
• Creating a new life

Meeting times:

7:00 pm Newcomer Orientation (6:30 pm in Ellicott City/Columbia)
7:30 pm Regular Meeting (7:00 pm in Ellicott City/Columbia)

Locations: Crofton/Bowie, Towson/North Baltimore County and Ellicott City/Columbia

Healing Journey

Surviving Partner Support Group

Healing Journey provides discussion and bereavement groups for adults experiencing grief following the loss of their spouse or partner through death. A certified professional counselor makes informative presentations weekly. Small group discussions led by trained group facilitators follow each presentation. Healing Journey provides a confidential non-judgemental, safe and sharing atmosphere. Typical discussion issues include:

• Loneliness and alienation
• Grieving loss of spouse
• Depression and anger
• Economic and social adjustments
• Creating a new life

Meeting times

7:00 pm Newcomer Orientation
7:30 pm Regular Meeting

Location: Crofton/Bowie

Moving On to Healthy Relating

Developing Healthier Relationships

The Moving On to Healthy Relating (“MOHR”) Program is designed to help adults develop healthy, more emotionally satisfying relationships through self-discovery and guidance from a certified professional counselor. Focus is placed on a practical understanding of personal emotions and individual behaviors that lead to problems in relationships, while working on improving interpersonal skills through self-control, communication, cooperation, understanding, conflict negotiation and sharing.

The MOHR program has a different format from the Single Again program. It
takes the participant through a series of self-discovery and learning
experiences that will assist in changing dysfunctional relating to functional
relating.

MOHR is open to all adults: single, married or divorced. A certified
professional counselor makes an informative presentation weekly, followed by
small group discussion.

Unlike Single Again and Healing Journey, the MOHR program has a
prerequisite. Before entering the group, interested people must attend a
meeting to learn more about what MOHR has to offer and make an
appointment with the Coordinator of MOHR to gather relationship history,
family history, and to determine readiness to enter the group. Discussion issues include:

• Personal Responsibility : Understanding self
• Intimacy vs. Autonomy: Finding balance in a relationship
• Conflict Management
• Establishing Boundaries
• Core Values
• Styles of Relating and Communicating
• The Impact of Significant Events on our Lives
• Self-esteem

Location: Crofton/Bowie and Ellicott City/Columbia

Exploring A Loving Relationship

"Exploring a Loving Relationship" is a counseling program open to those couples who are considering the possibility of re-marriage, or living together. Those recently re-married will also benefit from these sessions.

In this counseling program, you and your partner will explore conflict resolution, Myers-Briggs personality types and how to use effective listening skills.

Requirements for attending the counseling program are that the couple has been in a monogamous relationship for a minimum of 4-6 months and attend the orientation, which will include a brief interview with Carrie Hansen, the coordinator.

The course will last for 12 sessions and fees are based on the individual income if each person. There is a discount for dues paying members of Changing Focus. Changing Focus sponsors "Exploring A Loving Relationship" the program is open to non-members.

The couples meeting the requirements for completion of the course will receive a certificate certifying that they have had Pre-Marital Counseling. Churches and Synagogues that require counseling before marriage will accept this certificate.

Call or e-mail today to register for orientation and for information on upcoming sessions.

Location: Crofton/Bowie

As You Get Help...
You Will Also Give Help To Others

Some messages from our members:

"Feeling reluctant and devastated after separation, not knowing where to turn I was referred to Changing Focus.  The support I found in this group has been an invaluable, positive growing experience.  Changing Focus-Single Again has supported me in bringing forth a more confident outlook on my life."

"Through Healing Journey, I've received much needed support and understanding from people who have been down the same road as me after losing their spouses, and over time, I've been able to help new members and let them know there is a light at the end of the tunnel."

In MOHR, I learned how to "walk down a different street" – that is, avoid making the same stupid mistakes all over again! I came to understand that I had to first develop a healthy relationship with myself before I could hope to have healthy relationships with others. Through this program I learned the value of communication, that without communication, relationships always fail, that with it a relationship may blossom.

News

Weather Closings

In the event of bad weather, meetings operate on the same severe weather schedule as the local Community Colleges.  If they close we do not have meetings.