TriCity Family Services offers Emotional Wellness Program Guide

TriCity Family Services has released its 2015-2016 Emotional Wellness Program Guide, which includes classes, workshops, and support groups for all ages.

Emotional wellness is the awareness, acceptance, and expression of thoughts and feelings through positive behaviors and healthy relationships. It is not an end stage, but a continual process of change and growth that may involve seeking professional support.

They offer a range of emotional wellness programs for children, teens, adults, and seniors. Programs are designed to provide education and support for a variety of issues people face in their day-to-day lives.

Emotional Wellness Programs (formerly called Prevention and Early Intervention Programs) are open to all interested participants without screening, or with phone/in-person screening. There is no mental health assessment conducted, no diagnosis given, and no treatment plan made. Also, Emotional Wellness Programs are not insurance reimbursable. Registration is required for some programs. Fee reductions are available based on need.

Workshops

• Bridges Divorce Adjustment Workshop: This six-session workshop is for children, ages 7-11, struggling to cope with issues related to their parents' separation and/or divorce. The workshop sessions include discussions and group activities that help children find answers to commonly asked questions, deal with the struggles of their changing families, and better understand their feelings in a safe and supportive environment. Parents attend the fifth group session with their child/children. The fall session will be offered from 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. Mondays, Oct. 5 to Nov. 16 (except Oct. 12) at the agency, 1120 Randall Court in Geneva. Cost is $50 for one child or $75 for two or more.

• Chick Chat, a program developed by Helping Girls Navigate Adolescence Inc., is a full-day retreat where fourth- to sixth-grade girls can explore their interests, build stronger relationship skills, learn to make healthy decisions, enhance images of themselves as capable and competent individuals, and have fun - all within a safe and nurturing environment. Small group breakout sessions, yoga, and action-packed team-building challenges are designed to provide girls with inspiration, guidance, and perspective about their lives. Attend in all three grades to experience the full curriculum. This program is offered in collaboration with local school districts and the Geneva Coalition for Youth. The session will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at Geneva Middle School South. Cost is $35 and includes T-shirt, snacks and lunch.

• International Child Development Program: The series of parents' interactive learning groups and related children's activity groups promote practical and effective strategies to enhance parent-child relationships, self-esteem, and self-control through routine, daily interactions. The session will be offered from 5:15 to 7 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 14 to Dec. 28, at Pottawatomie Community Center, 8 North Ave. in St. Charles. Cost is $15 for parent/child book set. To register, contact Changing Children's Worlds Foundation at (630) 909-9411 or registration@changingchildrensworlds.org.

• Project Self-Compassion: This new skill-building group is designed for high school girls interested in cultivating inner strength, improving emotional resiliency, increasing self-awareness, and learning how to better manage relationships. Supportive meetings will challenge participants to grow through activities and discussions. Parents attend the last session with the teens. The session will be offered from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 1 to Nov. 19, at the agency, 1120 Randall Court in Geneva. Cost is $80.

• Smart Choices (kindergarten-fifth grade): The four- or six-session group workshop for children and their parents teaches the necessary skills to effectively communicate needs, manage anger, and resolve conflicts at home, in the community, and at school. Child-friendly activities provide opportunities to practice using "I" statements, understanding other points of view, compromising and sharing, calming techniques, and responding to teasing. The session for kindergarten to second grade will be offered from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays, Sept. 19 to Oct. 2, at the agency, 1120 Randall Court in Geneva. The program for third- to fifth-graders also will be on Saturdays, though times vary. Cost is $90 per family, per series. The second series will be Nov. 7-Dec. 19 (except Nov. 28).

• Smart Choices (middle school-high school): The four-session workshop for teens and their parents teaches participants conflict-resolution skills, anger-management tools, and alternatives to a potential cycle of violent behavior. In some cases, the program can be used as an alternative to school suspension. There will be four sessions of 1.5 hours each, scheduled directly with the family.

For program dates, times and locations, visit www.tricityfamilyservices.org, or call the office at (630) 232-1070.

Support groups

• Growing Together/Creciendo Juntos: In the spring, join them for this new group designed to help Latino families achieve a greater sense of connectedness through the strengthening of communication, interactions, and parenting skills in an accepting and compassionate environment.

• Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Group: This ongoing group provides support for dealing with the unique challenges associated with being primary caregivers to grandchildren. Meetings are held the last Tuesday of each month from 7-8:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 3435 Keslinger Road, Geneva. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.

• Family-Based Treatment for Eating Disorders: This new Parents Group offers support, skills-training, and empowerment for current, potential, and alumni parents of the Family-Based Treatment program. Receive an introduction to the program philosophy and ongoing parent-to-parent support for the issues faced throughout treatment and beyond. The FBT Parents Group begins Oct. 14, and will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at the agency, 1120 Randall Court, Geneva. Cost is $5 per parent(s) per session.

• Single Moms Group: Single moms often struggle to balance the many roles that have been thrust upon them. The Single Moms group offers education and support to help single moms reduce their stress, manage multiple demands, develop better coping skills, and provide effective guidance for children. It meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays; call (630) 232-1070 for the meeting location. Cost is $5 per group session. Registration is required, and free child care is provided.

• Women United/Mujeres Unidas: This new, ongoing group provides support to Latina women encountering everyday stressors associated with the numerous roles they encompass, while working to increase their sense of belonging. It begins Oct. 12, and will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays at Congregational Church of Batavia, 21 S. Batavia Ave. Cost is $5 per session. Registration is required, and free child care is provided if requested at the time of registration.

For support group dates, times and locations, visit www.tricityfamilyservices.org, or call the office at (630) 232-1070.

TriCity Family Services has been Kane County's leading provider of counseling and other mental health services to clients of all ages and all income levels since 1967.

The experienced team of professional therapists provides the residents of central Kane County and other neighboring communities with counseling, family-based treatment for eating disorders, emotional wellness workshops and support groups, and employee assistance programs.

As a community-based, nonprofit agency, it accepts most major insurance plans, offers sliding-scale fee adjustments, and does not deny services based on an inability to pay.

It is committed to helping clients strengthen themselves, their families, and their communities.

Call them today at (630) 232-1070, or visit www.tricityfamilyservices.org to start your journey toward emotional wellness.