Support Groups
WC&S support groups help domestic violence survivors to tell their stories and grow stronger through shared experiences.
Support groups at WC&S promote connections among domestic violence (DV) survivors by providing a confidential and safe space for healing, without fear of judgment. In these support groups, each survivor can learn about domestic abuse, gain support from other survivors, and grow stronger through shared experiences.
Women’s Center & Shelter’s domestic violence support groups are built around the S.E.L.F. model, which promotes healing from domestic violence and trauma in a safe and positive manner. The “S.E.L.F. Groups” are psycho-educational support groups. This means the leaders of the group are focused on providing education through information-sharing and the development of healthy coping mechanisms. These groups encourage clients to explore:
- Safety – creating a space safe from physical, emotional, and moral abuse
- Emotions – how feelings such as fear, sadness and anger teach us about ourselves, as well as how to manage feelings in a healthy way
- Loss – understanding and feeling grief as it relates to domestic violence and trauma
- Future – exploring what life might look like after a personal history of abuse and trauma
In addition to open discussions and education, these groups use experience-based methods and activities to provide further insight into the effects of domestic violence and how to cope with the emotions that it brings out. Examples of this type of this include practicing grounding techniques, mindfulness meditation, controlled breathing, and journaling & writing.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone in any relationship. No one is turned away because of whom they choose to love; no one is judged. While anyone can attend any support group, we have specific support groups for LGBTQIA+ folx. Please reach out to lgbtqia@wcspittsburgh.org to learn more.
To learn more, contact our Hotline to speak to our trained advocates.
If these services are full we will place you on a waitlist and contact you once it opens up.
