Do you have low self-esteem, perfectionism, and/or control issues?
Do you want to feel better about yourself and improve your relationships?
Do you feel like you never really had a childhood?
If you answered "Yes," to these questions, then you may qualify as an Adult Child of an Alcoholic (ACoA), whether or not you actually had an alcoholic parent!
A child who grows up in a family in which the parents' needs take priority over the children's needs (often because of parental alcoholism or chronic mental and/or physical illness) learns to behave in ways that help her to survive that experience. As an adult, she continues those behaviors without realizing that they are no longer helpful to her. It is possible, though, for these Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACoAs) to learn new, more helpful, ways of being in the world.
If you think that you may qualify as an ACoA (remember that the parent does not necessarily have to have been an alcoholic), take an ACoA quiz to find out.
Beall Pastoral Counseling offers counseling groups for women who are ACoAs and/or can identify with ACoA issues.
Group members learn ways to cope with the realities of being Adult Children of Alcoholics. They get to know other women who have had similar life experiences and are struggling with the same issues. They have the chance to practice new, healthier behaviors; change inaccurate ideas they have about themselves; and enjoy an experience of “family” that helps to heal old emotional wounds.
These groups are called "Discovering 'Normal.'" One group meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-7:30; the other meets on Thursday evenings from 7:15 to 8:45. The Thursday evening group will be open to new members through Thursday, March 4th, 2010. For more information or to register, contact me, call me at 443-458-4221, or email me at jennifer@beallpastoralcounseling.com.