Support Groups & Workshops

Here are a few examples of support groups held by BARCC throughout the year. All sessions are held in-person at our office in Cambridge.

Healing from Sexual Trauma Phase I

In this welcoming space, you’ll discuss the impact of sexual violence on your life and relationships, explore useful ways to cope with common challenges faced by all survivors, and learn about themes like safety, coping, self-care, guilt/shame/self-blame, trust, anger, relationships, and taking meaning from your experience. 8 sessions. *Requirements: Prior individual counseling around the sexual trauma, weekly individual counseling during group, about one year post trauma, and assessment by group facilitators.

Healing from Sexual Trauma Phase II

You’ll find a supportive environment to directly address traumatic experiences and build a more holistic, unified sense of self. Topics include paths to healing, identifying context, reconnecting to self, sharing self, grief and loss, caring for self, and life beyond trauma. 8-10 sessions. *Requirements: Completion of Phase I Group, prior individual counseling around the sexual trauma, weekly individual counseling during group, about one year post trauma, and assessment by group facilitators.

Partners, Family, & Friends Group

Sexual violence impacts everyone. Partners, friends, loved ones, and family of survivors of sexual violence are welcome to join this group to learn about understanding the impacts of sexual trauma on the survivor, on themselves as significant others, and their relationships with the survivor. It also provides useful ways to cope with common challenges faced by significant others and helpful ways to provide support to survivors. 7 sessions. *Requirements: Assessment by group facilitators.

Coping Skills Group

Join a group of fellow survivors to practice various grounding techniques, explore mindfulness, and support each other in creating a “coping tool box” of activities and practices. 6 sessions. *Requirements: Assessment by group facilitators, current individual counseling.

Teen Coping Skills Group

This introduction to coping skills is specifically created for teen survivors of sexual violence. Group members will support each other in creating connections, reducing isolation, and exploring stereotypes around healing. Like the adult group, teen members will also practice various grounding techniques, explore mindfulness, and support each other in creating a “coping tool box” of activities and practices. 6 sessions. *Requirements: Assessment by group facilitators, current individual counseling.

Healing from Trauma (Sanando del Trauma)

This group supports adult, Spanish-speaking, women who are survivors of sexual violence. The group provides a safe space to address the impact of the trauma. The focus of this group is how the trauma is affected by the Latinx culture. Topics for the weekly sessions may include: understanding sexual violence and its impact; coping skills for symptoms of trauma; self-care; dealing with feelings of shame, self-blame, difficulty trusting, body image, and self-esteem; and taking meaning from one’s experiences.

Interested? Connect with our team or call the office at 617-492-8306 to get started.

“This is one of the first times that I have felt genuinely supported and the only time I have felt supported by my community throughout my healing journey. This experience has been truly so positive and impactful. BARCC has been a life changing experience. I have felt so supported in my journey.”
– Survivor who participated in coping skills group