Stronger Together Meeting Information

Stronger Together: Shatterproof Spouses Support Group Info

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WHAT: This is a free, voluntary support group for the spouses and significant others of Shatterproof program patients. It is a 12-session education and open discussion group. This is designed to help while a patient is in treatment and encourage the significant other on the healing path in their life.

The group will include time to share experiences living and loving a first responder, offer emotional support to significant others, educate on coping strategies, and provide information for navigating through relationship and life challenges. This support group aims to help participants develop a personal roadmap for achieving balance, peace of mind, and understanding the unique challenges in first responder relationships and families.

WHO: Facilitated by FHE Health’s Director of Family Services, Ivona Bhadha, LCSW. Ivona is a seasoned therapist and a relationship and trauma specialist. Ivona will help participants to regain balance between caring for self and others and empower healthy choices. This group is here as a support in their healing journey!

WHEN: This group will meet virtually each week via Zoom on Mondays at 6:30 pm-8 pm EST. Being visible on camera is required.

Christmas week: Support group is rescheduled for Tuesday 12/26/23.
New Year week: Support group is rescheduled for Tuesday 1/2/24.

MORE INFO: The Zoom meeting will be open 10 minutes before the beginning of the meeting to log in participants. There is no guarantee to being admitted to the meeting after 6:35 pm. Your promptness is appreciated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Patient Issues Discussed

No. The facilitator will not know information about any patient and will neither confirm nor deny a person is in treatment. No information from FHE will be shared or given. This is a support opportunity for families/spouses, not a discussion on any patient or their treatment.

Is this confidential?

We encourage everyone to keep confidentiality in the support groups. However, this is not a consent signed therapy group so while we cannot guarantee confidentiality, we strongly ask all participants to abide by not sharing what is discussed in this safe space. FHE Health is not responsible for anything an attendee shares.

How long can I attend?

The program covers 12 weeks of lessons. A person can attend all 12 and then graduate and go forward with necessary supports for continuing care, such as family therapy, individual therapy, or long-term support groups. This group is time limited to 12 sessions per participant. Someone may join at week 3, but they can continue until they cover all 12 topics.

Who can attend?

This is for spouses or significant others of a Shatterproof first responder. You could be the intimate partner, wife, husband, spouse, significant other, boyfriend, girlfriend, etc. This is not for young people under 18, children, extended family, parents, etc. There are many people in a support system and if someone outside spouses/significant others is looking for support, check out the Shatterproof family support webpage for organizations that offer support services online and in person, separate from this program.

Does a person have to be on a patients Release of Information to attend?

No. Since no patient information is shared, there is no requirement that a patient complete a release. This is an open discussion separate from a patient or their treatment.

Is there a cost to this service?

No.

How do I get more information?

General information, the guidebook, and educational information regarding our family support are available on our website, under the family support tab.

Does the facilitator of this group share with the FHE multi-disciplinary team what is discussed? Is the discussion recorded?

No. This is a separate activity from patient clinical care. Information is not shared with identifying information or recorded for others to see. The education portion (with just the facilitator) may be recorded for later viewing but the discussion is not recorded, shared or discussed.

Ivona Bhadha, LCSW Director of Family Services – FHE Health

Ivona has over 20 years of clinical experience working with individuals, couples, and families affected by trauma, addictions, and mental illness. She has been guiding family members with her “put on your oxygen mask first” approach — which means taking care of yourself first, rather than focusing on “fixing the other person.” Ivona helps people to uncover their own strengths and unique personal needs and transform them into valuable resources. She has experience in facilitating intensive family and couple’s workshops and parenting courses. A passionate professional devoted to helping others, Ivona recognizes the great potential in educating and encouraging open and growth-focused communication in all relationships and families. Clients describe her style as caring, transformative, and healing.

Guidelines for Participation:

Be considerate of other’s sharing.
Follow the facilitators instructions and leadership.
Do not monopolize.
Do not identify patients or others by names, please be considerate of anonymity.
We do not screen participants; we are on the honor system.
This is for adults, no one under 18 should attend due to the sensitive nature of the material being discussed.
This group is for education and support, we do not provide clinical, legal or other advice, please consult with your healthcare professional about any treatment.
If someone is disrespectful, abusive, or inappropriate, in any way during the program, the facilitator has the right to disconnect them and not readmit them.
FHE Health reserves the right to limit access, make changes, or otherwise manage these programs as they deem necessary.
FHE Health is not liable for any information shared during support groups; participants waive any rights to confidentiality and will not hold FHE responsible for any infractions or issues.
The Zoom meeting will be open 10 minutes before the beginning of the meeting to log in participants. There is no guarantee to being admitted to the meeting after 6:35 pm. Your promptness is appreciated!
We require cameras on for being visible to the group throughout the session (anonymous users or cameras turned off will result in being dropped from the Zoom meeting.)