ReStoried: A Support Group for Those Who Have Experienced Abuse

Have you experienced a hurtful background, characterized by abuses of power and authority? Maybe your story has been marked by severe emotional or spiritual distress. Perhaps there is remaining confusion, anger, or sorrow. When we are mistreated by those who were intended to love and care for us, the ripple effects can be devastating. How do we learn to see God as he truly is, and see ourselves in the light of what he says about us?

Reconnecting with God's love may feel elusive. What do we do with lingering pain and doubts? How can we move from a place of hurt to a place of healing, from feeling stuck in our trauma to growing in resilience and hope? These are just a few of the themes we will explore in our ReStoried Support Group.

DETAILS:

• ReStoried will meet on ten (10) consecutive Monday evenings

• In-person at Fieldstone Lakewood Office (14398 Detroit Avenue Lakewood, Ohio 44107) *Registration is limited & appropriate social distancing measures will be in place.

• Beginning June 7, 2021 (Continuing June 14, 21, 28; July 12, 19, 26; August 2, 9, 16) *Note, we are skipping July 5 for the holiday weekend

• 7:00pm - 8:30pm EST

• Cost: $250

• All conversations related to the group will be held in strict confidentiality. Group members will be required to sign a Commitment Form in order to participate.

*Scholarships are available upon request. Email us for more information: [email protected].

GROUP OBJECTIVES:

• To move from a harmful or hurting position to a healing model.
• To move from isolation to connection.
• To move from weakness to resilience.
• To move from being defined by trauma/abuse to learning how our trauma can be redefined according to God’s terms.
• To move from paralysis to progress.
• To move from chaos and confusion to resolution.
• To move from angry or bitter grief to hopeful lament.

What this group is NOT for:

• Learning how to minister to those who’ve been abused.
• “Talk therapy” with no specific goals in sight.
• Help to get out of an abusive relationship.
• Finding particular diagnostic therapy.

Learn more about the facilitators Melissa Affolter and Karen Corcoran here:

Melissa has served in counseling and women’s discipleship ministries for nearly twenty years. She holds a degree in History (Northern Africa and Reformation emphasis) from Judson College and previously worked as a teacher and curriculum writer. In 2011, Melissa completed her MA in Biblical Counseling and has received further training with the Global Trauma Recovery Institute and CCEF. She has been a guest contributor on the topic of abuse to PeaceWorks ministries and the ERLC. Melissa facilitates the ReStoried women's support groups at Fieldstone and offers workshops and seminars related to trauma recovery and ministry burnout. Melissa’s desire to walk alongside those who are suffering or struggling has been an overflow of seeing God's rich grace of healing and restoration poured out in her own life over many years. Melissa lives in Green, Ohio, where she spends her free time reading, writing, and enjoying her family and the friendships God has given her.

Karen comes to Fieldstone after serving 15 years in various roles of discipling, coaching, and pastoral counseling while on staff at a large westside Cleveland church. She is passionate about coming alongside people, humbly helping them discover who they’ve been created to be. There’s nothing quite like seeing the look in a person’s eyes when the Spirit of God applies the Word of God to their heart empowering them to embrace the transforming work of God’s grace. Karen possesses an MA in Counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary and is highly versed informational/healing prayer and care through training from Ashland Seminary. Karen is familiar with a number of life’s painful circumstances, believing that the grace and comfort with which God has blessed her is to be poured out for others. Areas of specific passion and experience include infertility and pregnancy loss, grief, marriage, parenting issues, anxiety, conflict, emotional/mental/verbal/spiritual oppression, and abuse and its related trauma, and various church leadership issues.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Fieldstone Counseling, 14398 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, United States