Make Connections and Get Support
Support Group Interest Form
Call us at (612) 871-5111 for more information about getting involved in a group, or fill out the interest form and we can let you know when new groups you might want to join are getting started.
We create support groups to bring people together based on their needs and interests, fostering mutual support and healing. People of all genders and sexualities who have experienced sexual violence can benefit from the support and connection offered by our groups.
We offer two types of support groups:
- Closed Groups: These groups consist of the same 10-12 participants who meet regularly for 8-10 weeks.
- Weekly Drop-in Support Group: This group is open to individuals 18+ who can attend whenever they feel the need. Participants can come on the weeks they need support and skip the weeks they don’t.
Our groups are offered on a rotating basis and include:
- Adult Women’s Group
- Adult Men’s Group
- Queer Survivors Group
- Drop-In Support Group
- V.I.B.E. Youth Group
- Journey Through The Arts
- Still I Rise: Women of Color Group
At this time, all groups are offered in person at our office in South Minneapolis.
Our support groups are psychoeducational, focusing on providing information, support, and practical coping strategies to help participants manage their experiences and foster healing.
How Are Support Groups Different From Group Therapy?
- Support Groups: These are designed to provide emotional support and practical advice in a non-clinical setting. Participants share experiences and offer mutual support.
- Group Therapy: This is a form of psychotherapy led by a licensed therapist, focusing on psychological treatment and mental health issues.
What is the difference between a psychoeducational group and a psychotherapy group?
- Psychoeducational Groups: These groups aim to educate participants about specific issues and provide them with coping strategies and tools for managing their experiences. The focus is on learning and support rather than deep psychological processing.
- Psychotherapy Groups: These groups involve therapeutic intervention and are led by a licensed therapist. They focus on exploring deep-seated emotional and psychological issues.
- Religious Affiliated or a 12-Step Program: Our support groups are secular and do not follow any religious doctrines or 12-step program methodologies. We aim to provide a neutral and inclusive space for everyone, regardless of their religious beliefs or backgrounds.
- A Replacement for Therapy or Professional Care: While our groups offer support, education, and practical coping strategies, they are not a substitute for individual therapy or professional mental health care. If you need access to additional mental health resources, our advocates can provide recommendations and referrals.
- A Space to Share Every Traumatic Experience You Have Had: While sharing experiences can be a part of the healing process, our groups are not designed for participants to recount every traumatic detail of their past. The focus is on learning, support, and coping strategies rather than detailed trauma narratives. This helps maintain a safe and supportive environment for all participants.
We provide on-site counseling in schools throughout Carver, Hennepin, and Scott counties. We also offer on-site support groups in various correctional facilities in Carver, Hennepin, and Scott counties including at Plymouth Correctional Facility and the Shakopee Women’s Correctional Facility. If you are interested in an existing or new on-site group call our office at (612) 871-5100.