Counseling, Support Groups, and Services

Counseling

The purpose of the treatment is to create a safe relationship where the victim survivor can work with the professional to lessen unwanted emotional and destructive impulses; and work toward improving their ability to cope with their life today.

Support Groups

The professionally led groups for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse aim to provide victims-survivors opportunities to connect with others who are also on a road towards healing.

Family Support

The Office of Assistance Ministry recognizes that childhood sexual abuse impacts the family too. The Family Support Groups offer family members an opportunity to share their experience with others and learn new skills for coping with the needs of the victim -survivor and themselves.

Spirituality

For many victims-survivors, the sexual abuse affected/ ruined their spiritual life. However, many victims-survivors continue to seek spiritual meaning and direction in their lives. The office maintains a list of qualified spiritual directors who are available to help victims-survivors to grieve their spiritual losses as they re-examine its role in their life today.

Prayer and Reflection

The Office of Assistance Ministry has sponsored periodic retreats and days of reflection for victims-survivors. The purpose of these is to bring together adults who have been sexually abused by clergy as minors so they can share their experiences with one another, work towards healing, and identify sources of positive support in a group setting.

Meeting with Archdiocesan Leadership

At the appropriate time in a victims-survivor’s healing, the office can arrange a private meeting with the Cardinal. This affords the victim-survivor the chance to share his or her story while providing the cardinal an opportunity to listen emphatically. The intended purpose of this meeting is to offer some emotional and spiritual healing.

The Office of Assistance Ministry offers the following programs to honor its mission to victims-survivors of sexual abuse and their loved ones. We have coordinated with other professionals to provide psychological, emotional, and spiritual healing. Due to space limitations, first priority will be given to those who have not participated in past programs offered through Assistance Ministry in the past. For more detailed information, contact Thomas Tharayil at 312-534-8267.

Workshops

A half day Healing Garden workshop for loved ones of victims-survivors will take place on June 30, 2012.
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Support Groups

Fall dates to be announced.

Women’s Group

Fall dates to be announced.
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Men’s Group

Fall dates to be announced.
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News Items

The story of a victim of clerical sexual abuse in the November 20th issue of the Catholic New World