Inspired Voices in Twin City Times

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Trauma steals hope. Millions of people experience long-term mental and substance abuse problems due to traumatic experiences they had as children. As a leader in trauma-informed services, Tri-County Mental Health Services is offering Seeking Safety, a therapy group that recognizes trauma and helps individuals who have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Abuse Disorder. Over 16 weeks, Seeking Safety covers 25 different treatment topics, each one addressing a safe "coping skill". Topics include:

• PTSD: TAKING BACK YOUR POWER
• DETACHING FROM EMOTIONAL PAIN: GROUNDING
• INTRODUCTION TO TREATMENT/CASE MANAGEMENT
• WHEN SUBSTANCES CONTROL YOU
• ASKING FOR HELP
• COMPASSION
• RED AND GREEN FLAGS
• HONESTY
• RECOVERY THINKING
• INTERGRATING THE SPLIT SELF
• CREATING MEANING
• COMMUNITY RESOURCES
• SETTING BOUNDARIES IN RELATIONSHIPS

The first group will meet from 9am - 11am on Mondays at the Tri-County Mental Health Services in Lewiston beginning in October. Additional groups may be offered at other Tri-County locations as registrations indicate. Groups will be gender-specific. Mainecare and other insurances are accepted, and a sliding fee scale is used for those without insurance. To register or for more information, call Elaine Therriault, LADC, LSW-C at 783-9141 x 257. Tri-County Mental Health Services is Maine's most comprehensive agency dealing with the psychological and social well-being of children, adults, and elders. TCMHS serves over 7,000 individuals each year with innovative programs and services addressing mental health, substance abuse, mental retardation/developmental disabilities, autism, and more. Its philosophy of building toward recovery and sensitivity to traumatic experiences of consumers gives hope to individuals, families, and communities in Androscoggin, Northern Cumberland, Franklin and Oxford counties.