Workshops and Groups

It can be hard to face life’s challenges alone, and finding others who are going through similar experiences is not always easy. JSSA is here to help you connect to, grow with, and learn from your neighbors.

We offer workshops and group counseling for everyone, from teens struggling to cope at school to people experiencing grief and loss. Our licensed staff lead these sessions and allow you to engage in an honest, supportive environment.

 

Social Skills Group, Middle School Students

Clients will engage in weekly group therapy sessions that focus on skill-building, processing feelings, and strengthening relationships. Licensed therapists will engage with middle-school-aged children in fun social skill-building activities that promote healthy relationships and healthy living. Individuals who have been previously diagnosed with ADHD, high-functioning autism, social anxiety, or have generally struggled with developing positive peer relationships will learn how to build healthier connections with each other through therapeutic activities in a group setting.

Dates: Wednesdays starting October 30, 2024 

Time: 5:00 – 6:00 pm

Location: 200 Woodhill Road, Rockville, MD 

Cost: $75.00 per session. This group is insurance reimbursable.

Group Facilitators: Elissa Gildenhorn, LMSW, and Alex Hammer, LCSW-C

For more information about this group, please contact Elissa Gildenhorn at egildenhorn@jssa.org.

 

Teen Therapy Group

This psychodynamic therapy group is for 14 – 17 year old teens. Group members will learn new coping skills, increase self-confidence, and enhance their skills for making and keeping friends in a positive and supportive environment.

Do you have thoughts that sound like this? This group could be for you.

• I feel lonely and I wish I had more people my age I could talk to about what I’m feeling.
• I wish I could feel more confident around my peers.
• I don’t want to complain to my friends. I know they are struggling too.
• I’m not sure how to make and keep friends.
• I’m not sure how to handle the things that bother me.
• It is sometimes hard to manage my own emotions.
• It’s really stressful for me, and no one understands how I feel.

Dates: Every Tuesday from October 29, 2024 – January 22, 2025

Time: 6:00 – 7:00 pm

Location: Virtual

Cost: $75.00 per session. This group is insurance reimbursable.

Group Facilitators: This group will be led by Zach Lehman, L.C.S.W.-C. and Stephan Solat, L.M.S.W.

Zach Lehman is a licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of experience providing individual, group, and family therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. Zach has experience facilitating both psychodynamic and social skills groups for children and adolescents in outpatient and residential settings.

Stephan Solat is a Licensed Master Social Worker with six years of experience providing psychotherapy to adolescents and adults from 12 to 78 years of age. Stephan specializes in helping clients with early childhood trauma, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.

For more information about this group, please contact Zach Lehman at 301-450-3209 or zlehman@jssa.org.

 

Support Group for Parents of Adults with Disabilities – Ongoing

Wednesdays 10:00-11:30 AM

Led by Lori Kolle.  If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Lori at lkolle@jssa.org or call her at 301-610-8374.

 

Bereavement Groups

Losing a loved one can be debilitating. Everyone processes the shock and grief of loss differently, and the individual journey of grieving can leave us feeling isolated and lost. When you don’t know where to turn or how to move forward, JSSA is here to help you.

Our bereavement support groups provide a respectful and supportive setting where you can share your feelings and gain insight into the process of grieving. Facilitated by clinicians with specialized training and experience in grief and offered at no charge, these groups include:

• Adult Children Who Have Lost a Parent
• Loss of Spouse/Partner
• Loss of Spouse/Partner Over One Year
• Suicide Grief for Adults
• Loss of Child or Teen – Virtual & In-person

Pre-registration is required for all bereavement groups. Participants are requested to wait until at least three months after the loss before joining a group.

Please call 240-800-JSSA and press 2 for hospice to register for a bereavement group.

Adult Children Who Have Lost a Parent Support Group

Seven-session evening group for adults who have lost a parent within the past year. Held several times a year.

Loss of Spouse/Partner Support Group – ongoing

Meets virtually the second and fourth Friday of the month
TIME: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Loss of Child or Teen Support Group – ongoing (Virtual & In-person)

Meets virtually on Monday evenings once a month.

Suicide Grief Support Group for Adults

Meets virtually the first and third Mondays of each month
TIME: 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Loss of Spouse/Partner Greater than One Year

Eight-session evening group for adults who have lost a spouse/partner over a year ago. Held several times a year.