|
Ophelia’s Place provides school-based support groups in Eugene, Springfield, Bethel and Cottage Grove school districts as well as several other schools. We work closely with school principals and counselors to provide groups uniquely responsive to the needs of adolescent girls within each school.
We offer the following school-based services:
For more information about our school-based services, please contact Annelise Heitman, School Programs Coordinator, at 284-4338 or email: anneliseheitman@opheliasplace.net.
About Our School Groups:
Our gender-specific, psycho-educational groups are offered in local middle schools and high schools. They are designed to nurture self-esteem, help girls maintain authentic connection with peers and adult women, teach skills for making healthy choices, and allow for genuine self-expression through discussion and activity.
These groups are:
- For girls ages 12-18 who are able to function in a group setting.
- Meet weekly for approximately an hour during the school day, and run from 8-15 weeks.
- Follow evidence based curricula.
- Facilitated by Ophelia’s Place staff, interns and volunteers, who have completed a minimum of 20 hours of training and are supervised by a Master’s level Therapist.
Groups we currently offer include:
Media & Body Image:
Thirty percent of girls in American high schools suffer from disordered eating, including bingeing, vomiting, fasting, laxative and diet pill use, and compulsive exercise. Studies have linked disordered eating and dieting to serious risk-taking behaviors such as drug, alcohol, and tobacco use, delinquency, unprotected sexual activity, dating violence and suicide attempts (BodyAloud!, 2002).
This group is open to 6-10 girls and we will draw from the evidence based models Girls Circle and BodyAloud!.
- The focus is to promote a healthy sense of self. This is not an eating disorder treatment group.
- Group will creatively open girls’ minds to the possibility of seeing their bodies differently than they have been taught previously by culture, media, peers, and for some by their families.
- Gives girls the space to explore the pain and confusion surrounding their bodies and a place where their true selves can be seen, heard, and respected.
- Media influences will be explored in depth as will strategies for relaxation, self care, and healthy eating.
Healthy Relationships
Approximately 1 in 5 female students will be physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner while in high school. Girls who report dating violence are more likely to exhibit other serious health risk behaviors (Expect Respect, 2004).
- This group uses a blend of two evidence based curricula, Expect Respect: A Support Group Curriculum for Safe and Healthy Relationships, by SafePlace and Allies in Action, by Girls, Inc.
- Group is open to all students, from 8th-12th grade, but is limited in number to ten.
- The group’s focus is on skills such as communication, assertiveness, feelings expression, coping, relationship rights, self care, and safety while it provides information on abuse, respect, and warning signs of an unhealthy relationship.
- This group aims to serve students who have witnessed domestic violence in their families, students who are in relationships, and students who would benefit from education as a form of prevention.
- Group emphasizes violence prevention and support through skill building and discussion.
Girls as Allies
On a daily basis, 160,000 girls and young women nationwide report missing school out of fear of aggression of other girls. Research has shown that relational aggression is a major predictor of depression, loneliness, anxiety and anger, physical symptoms, lower GPA, school drop-out, substance abuse, risky sexual behavior, maladaptive eating patterns, suicidal ideation, delinquency and criminal behavior.
- The focus of this group is bullying prevention among girls and it is an excellent start at changing school culture.
- Our target group involves middle school girls, however it can be adapted for an older population.
- Group size is limited to 10 and our model is the Allies in Action curriculum which is a fully developed, evaluated and effective program published by Girls Inc..
- This group addresses the complex social realities of girls’ friendships and gives them the tools they need to confront stereotypes, work together, create safe spaces, and stand up for themselves and each other. As a result of this group, girls will be empowered to acknowledge girl on girl violence as hurtful, analyze the contexts that shape these behaviors, and learn communication skills for navigating conflict and embracing positive relationships.
Girls Empowerment Circle
“This excellent prevention program addresses alcohol, tobacco, and drug decision making as well as healthy sexuality, promoting abstinence and/or reduction to high-risk behaviors by exploring the realities of risk and the power of self-care.” (Girls Circle, 2005)
- Helps girls examine and evaluate choices through affirmations, role-play, media influence, journal writing, videos and more.
- Addresses sexuality decision-making and definitions of "infatuation, desire, and love" through real teen stories, music messages, and personal standards activity.”(Girls Circle, 2005)
- This group is geared for girls ages 12-16 and follows the Girls Circle curriculum “Mind, Body, Spirit”.
Classroom Presentations:
We have an assortment of classroom presentations that can be easily altered to meet your school’s specific needs. Most of our presentations are appropriate for mixed gender classes. The presenters are master’s level staff paired with an intern or volunteer who has completed a minimum 20 hour-training. Presentations can be scheduled at the beginning of a semester or as issues arise. Lengths of presentations can be modified to accommodate your bell schedule.
School responsibilities involve advance scheduling of the presentation, providing needed media/technology equipment, securing the permission of administrators and parents as needed, and providing feedback on our evaluation form.
Please contact Annelise Heitman (284-4338) if you are interested in hearing more about any of the following presentations:
Media & Body Image
Thirty percent of girls in American high schools suffer from disordered eating, including bingeing, vomiting, fasting, laxative and diet pill use, and compulsive exercise. The rate of boys using these practices continues to increase, in fact ten percent of the people with eating disorders are male. Studies have linked disordered eating and dieting to serious risk-taking behaviors such as drug, alcohol, and tobacco use, delinquency, unprotected sexual activity, dating violence and suicide attempts (BodyAloud!, 2002).
This presentation gives students the language and tools to think critically about media influences as well as messages they receive from friends and family about body image
Our focus is on building a healthy sense of self
An appropriate amount of information will be shared about unhealthy eating, diet pills, and exercising practices
Healthy Relationships (in collaboration with Womenspace)
Approximately 1 in 3 high school students have been or will be involved in an abusive relationship. Students who report dating violence are more likely to exhibit other serious health risk behaviors (Expect Respect, 2004).
This presentation emphasizes violence prevention and support through skill building and discussion.
The focus is on skills such as assertive communication, relationship rights, self care, and safety while it provides information on abuse, respect, and warning signs of an unhealthy relationship.
In addition, we will address how to help a friend or get help for yourself
Empowered Menstruation (girls only)
Through activity and discussion this presentation gives girls another way of looking at and feeling about their bodies – particularly around menstruation
We will discuss media influences on our perceptions of menstruation as well as the diversity of cultural and historical perceptions that are positive and empowering
The newest women-created-products will be introduced as well
Peers as Allies (on relational aggression)
Research demonstrates that 27%, or more than one in four students, do not feel emotionally safe at school because of relational aggression. Research has also shown that relational aggression is a major predictor of depression, loneliness, anxiety and anger, physical symptoms, lower GPA, school drop-out, substance abuse, risky sexual behavior, maladaptive eating patterns, suicidal ideation, delinquency and criminal behavior.
This presentation will address emotion regulation, assertiveness and effective conflict management as well as coping and relaxation techniques.
Through role plays and discussion students will develop greater awareness of this problem and how to navigate interpersonal relationships in a more constructive way including standing up for selves and others.
The focus is on bullying awareness and developing a school climate where students don’t tolerate this behavior and have the skills to stand up for themselves and each other
Parent-Staff Trainings:
We are available to present staff or parent trainings on a variety of topics that can be easily altered to meet your school’s specific needs. Presentations can be shared during staff meetings, in-service days, after school, or in the evenings.
Our presentations include information on the extent of the problem, how it plays out in schools, how to recognize it, and especially how adults can support, refer to outside resources, and work to reduce harm and recidivism.
Other Presentations Available:
Girls Relational Aggression (including info on cyberbullying)
Body Image & Media
Sexual Harassment in Schools
Teen Relationships and Dating Violence (in collaboration with Womenspace)
Curriculum Information:
|
