I believe in the power of a group of women sharing their thoughts and forming new ideas and thus strengthening each other and their circle of family and friends.

An intimate group experience focused on topics of interest to women, Conversation Circles hosts a variety of discussion groups. Participants explore paths to new knowledge and insight and then share their discoveries with each other in a supportive environment.

PLANS FOR WINTER are:

BOOK GROUP:

A book group to read and discuss, The Mother Dance; How Children Change Your Life by Harriet Lerner, PhD.

This is a classic, written by a knowledgeable and experienced mother, therapist, and writer. Harriet Lerner is able to bring much needed humor, insight and perspective to several topics. She discusses sibling relationships, power struggles, food, step-parenting and most importantly, commonly held but seldom discussed powerful emotions women experience in their role as mothers.

Schedule: This group will meet for one and a half hours, twice a month, for two months.
Cost: $125.

CONVERSATION CIRCLES:

A series of four sessions focused on understanding temperament in children.

We are each born with a construct of personality qualities inherited from past generations. Working with a model based upon the theory of Chess and Thomas, we will investigate the roles of persistence, intensity, perceptiveness, adaptability, and sensitivity play in forming a childís temperament portrait. We will discuss the following questions: What is temperament? What are the various temperaments and their dimensions? What is my childís temperament portrait? How can I recognize, appreciate and live more effectively with these qualities and help my child to do so as well?
Resource: Chapters 7,8, & 9 in Kids, Parents, and Power Struggles by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka are very informative in preparation for this conversation,

Schedule: The circle will meet for two hours, twice a month, for six sessions.
Cost: $250.

A set of four sessions focused on Unlocking Hidden Resources in Handling our Problems.

Rather than have our problems handle us, as we mature we seek to develop more strategies and skills at handling our problems. We address our problems most successfully when we express our emotions, increase our awareness of other resources, and foster a sense of empowerment in dealing with the problem. Through the use of journaling, discussion, and the use of art (clay, sand tray, etc.) each person will look at a particular personal problem and apply these techniques. (Note to participants, the personal problem identified will merit this attention but will not constitute a crisis. Examples of topics others have focused on: laziness, money, cold feet, frustration, etc.)

Schedule: This circle will meet twice a month for one and a half hours for two months.
Cost: $200

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Each of these is planned as a small group experience of no more than five or six individuals. The dates will be set after polling those who are interested in participating.

If you would like more information, contact Jamesen Goodman, at 301-589-6033 or email jamesen@jamesengoodman.com.

Remember, things can be different!