Elmhurst - Downers Grove - Oak Brook, Illinois  (630)862-5447    
  

Group therapy can be a valuable and cost-effective mode of counseling for just about everyone, often effective either as an alternative or as a compliment to individual counseling. Our Therapy and Support Groups include…

Achieving A Greater Sense of Balance in Life - Identifying areas of lifestyle stress or weakness and developing the necessary strategies and skills for resolution and balance.

Blended (Step) Family Issues - Overcoming the challenges encountered when marrying an existing family.

Family of Origin Issues - Dealing with issues from the past that negatively influence the present.

Marital/Couples Relationships - Strengthening relationships in the present as well as for the future.

Men's Marital Faithfulness - Maintaining integrity and overcoming unhealthy temptations that threaten the strength and character of your marriage.

Self-Care for Caregivers - Caring for oneself. Achieving health and balance in your own life while being committed to the care and well-being of others.


Blended (Step) Family Issues
Challenges when marrying an existing family
(Interactive therapy with support group/workshop elements)

Topics/Key Principles:

  • Realistic expectations - Acceptance of others' limitations and weaknesses as well as recognizing their qualities and strengths. Acceptance of the possible range in emotions of children as well as adults inherent to blended family dynamics. Includes issues of respect, validation, examination of expectations as realistic or unrealistic (vs. hopeless). Resisting the urge to "force" things/ compliance to happen too soon. Establishing respectful boundaries to avoid accidental or intentional violations of confused unspoken boundaries, sexual or otherwise.

  • Communication - Open, honest, respectful communication of needs, concerns, joys. Includes exploration of effective communication skills, conflict resolution skills, establishing "safe" family time and quality time to connect with various family members. Benefit of family discussions, scheduled meetings to address existing or potential issues, considering issues/problems as opportunities for growth and greater understanding rather than as failures to be ignored or condemned for. Fostering resiliency.

  • Willingness to change/transition together…through challenging life cycle transitions while remaining connected. Includes resisting the attitudes of "I can't change now, we've always done things this way" ("…I grew up doing…" or "…In my previous marriage we always did…" ). Ask self if the latter is working for you…all of you. Create and allow for quality times for every individual in the family as well as intentional husband/wife time.

  • Commitment…to and ongoing expression of "sacrificial love" toward the family based on moral/Godly principles. Includes considering with each thought and action: will this strengthen or weaken my family, rather than considering: will this make me feel good. Also includes attempting to achieve some sense of balance between meeting the needs of self as well as meeting the needs of family members. Attempting persistence and resiliency in maintaining consistency in parenting practices (despite possible antagonism/resistance from ex-spouses and children's desire for self-gratification & immediacy).

Group duration 10 - 12 weeks.
Weekly sessions lasting 1.5 - 2 hours.

Call 630-862-5447 or email Counselor@ZilinskiCounseling.com to
discover how William Zilinski & Associates can help you achieve a greater sense of balance in life.

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