1.       ACOA/ACDF

Adult Children of

   Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families

        DO YOU EXPERIENCE .  .  . ?

Adults who experience these issues often grew up in families where their young lives were affected by dysfunctional family dynamics. In some families, alcohol or other substance abuse was present (ACOA).  In others, acute mental or physical illness, inflexible family rules or religious practice, death, divorce, separation, etc. affected the children at important developmental stages (ACDF).  A significant person in the family became the focus of the system and children coped by assuming rigid roles in order to survive. These coping behaviors, so essential in childhood, can now prevent adults living happy, healthy, free lives. To address the impact of growing up in an ACOA/ACDF family,

You are invited to participate in a three level, sequential ACOA/ACDF Program:

Level I:  Acquaints the participants with early survival patterns that may now interfere with healthy adult living.  Through development of a family of origin genogram, participants learn the dynamics that influence them so that alternate behaviors may be considered.  (6 weeks)         

Level II:  Focuses on current relationships, studying the dynamics of enabling/detaching, co-dependency, and the need for improved communication skills to better serve the participant in a search for deeper relationships. (6 weeks)

Level III:  Enhances the ability to improve future relationships.  Anger and the concepts of triangling, distancing/pursuing and emptiness/closeness are presented and applied to personal relationships. (6 weeks)

 For more information call Kathleen E. Scheg (703) 568-0525.