Family & Carer Group Program - OCD
Currently taking registrations of interest for the next Program commencing Thursday 24th April, 2008. Please contact ARCVic on 03 9886 9233 to register your interest.
For parents, husbands, wives, siblings and other relatives living with a person with obsessive compulsive disorder
Living with a family member who has obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) can be both stressful and distressing. OCD may have a profound impact on family routines, family functioning and family relationships. The person with OCD may become highly dependent upon other members of the family, so that family life comes to revolve around the OCD - sometimes to the extent where the carer and family members become inextricably involved in compulsive and/or avoidance behaviours. It can be a heart-breaking and exhausting experience, and spouses, parents, brothers and sisters may often feel that they need some help and support themselves.
This six week program provides carers and family members an opportunity to:
- Share and explore issues and ideas with others in similar situations
- Learn about the nature and symptoms of OCD and anxiety, and factors affecting treatment and recovery
- Learn practical ideas and strategies for providing effective help and support
- Develop ways of dealing with negative feelings
- Discover more about the health and mental health systems and options for treatment and support
- Learn about anxiety management and helpful ways to respond to OCD symptoms
- Develop skills and strategies for caring for yourself
- Share in a positive and rewarding experience with other carers and family members
- Be encouraged and empowered!
Program details:
Dates: Thursdays, 24th April - 5th June 2008
Time: Program sessions will be held in the evening
Course Duration: 6 sessions of 2 hours
Venue: ARCVic, 42 High Street Road, Ashwood
Fee: $100.00
Facilitators: Iris I'Anson, Psychologist, ARCVic Consultant,
and Barbara Jones, Psychologist, ARCVic Consultant
People who are interested in the group program will need to commit themselves to all 6 sessions as far as possible. People who register interest in participating in the program will be contacted by one of the facilitators for a telephone interview to ascertain that the content of the group will be of benefit to each participant.
The program is conducted in a group setting with up to 10 participants.
For further information or to register your interest for this program contact ARCVic on:
Office Line - 9886 9233 or OCD & Anxiety HelpLine - 9886 9377,
or send in the Registration of Interest form (PDF).
Comments made by previous participants:
- "The series was conducted in a very professional & friendly manner, and exceeded my wildest expectations. I trust that other carers are given a similar opportunity."
- "The whole course was well run and extremely helpful".
- "It has given me HOPE after eight years of sorrow".
- "Thank you to the leaders and participants for making a safe and welcoming group".
- "I feel confident now that I can deal with my partner's OCD appropriately... Barbara and Iris were fantastic, in the support, understanding and humor they brought to the group - and their expertise."
- "Thank you - would recommend to others".