Support Groups In North Jersey: Grief, Alzheimer's, Caregivers, More

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of Jewish Family Service of MetroWest. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ is pleased to offer a variety of support groups this fall. Support groups provide an opportunity for people with similar personal experiences to express feelings and share coping strategies with professional guidance.

Groups are valuable as they provide individuals with a common need, concern, or experience, a place to share and support each other under the guidance and skill of an experienced, empathetic, licensed, professional therapist. Groups can be effectively utilized in addition to other counseling services or independently. JFS offers group counseling and support groups in the JFS offices as well as in community venues, including local synagogues and schools.

Below is a description of each group being offered:

A Journey Through Grief – Bereavement group for older adults who have lost a spouse or significant other. The group will meet Tuesdays, beginning 9/24. For more information and to register, contact Amanda Kielbania LCSW, at akielbania@jfsmetrowest.org or 973-637-1712. Most major insurances accepted.

Parkinson's Disease Caregiver Support - Group for individuals who are taking care of a loved one with Parkinson's Disease and want to learn about coping skills and becoming a more effective care partner. The group will meet monthly from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm on October 7, November 11, December 9. This group is open to spouses, adult children, and siblings of older adults. To register and receive meeting location details, please email caregivers@jfsmetrowest.org or call (973) 637-1740. Free.

In-person Family Support for Alzheimer's Disease - Support group for families and caregivers with the emotional support and education they need to understand Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This group will meet monthly at The West Morris YMCA at 1:00 pm October 7, November 11, and December 9. For more information and to register, visit www.alznj.org. Free.

Family Support for Alzheimer's Disease (Virtual) - Support group for families and caregivers with the emotional support and education they need to understand Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This group meets virtually multiple times each month on Mondays and Thursdays. For more information and to register, visit www.alznj.org. Free.

Montclair Caregiver Support - Group for individuals taking care of an older adult who want to learn coping skills and become a more effective care partner. This group will meet monthly on Thursdays from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm on September 12, October 10, November 14, and December 5 in Montclair. Pre-registration is required. Please click here to register. If you do not have access to a computer, please contact Michelle DeWitt at 973-744-3278 to sign up over the phone. To speak with the group facilitator, Siobhan Higgins LCSW, call 973-637-1763. Free.

South Orange/Maplewood Caregiver Support - Group is for individuals who are taking care of an older adult and want to learn about coping skills and become a more effective care partner. This group will meet monthly on Mondays from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm on September 16, October 21, November 18, December 16. This group is open to spouses, adult children, and siblings of older adults. To register and receive meeting location details, please email caregivers@jfsmetrowest.org or call (973) 637-1763. Free.

Parents & Caregivers of Adult Children with Disabilities - Connect with other parents and caregivers to discuss advocacy strategies and resources. Ongoing group sessions will be held on Tuesdays, beginning September 24. For more information and to register, contact Kristin Dunne, LCSW, at kdunne@jfsmetrowest.org or (973) 637-1749. Free.

Siblings of Children with Disabilities - This group allows siblings to explore their emotions in a fun and supportive environment. Ongoing group sessions will be held on Wednesdays, beginning September 18. For more information and to register, contact Kim Clerie, LSW at kclerie@jfsmetrowest.org. Free.

Playgroup with a Purpose – Ongoing weekly group for parents with their babies aged 0-12 months to share and connect. In collaboration with Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel. This group will meet Wednesdays 9:15 am -10:15 am, beginning on September 11. For more information and to register, contact Blair Biersbach, LCSW at bbiersbach@jfsmetrowest.org. Free.

Better Together - This group is for students to explore how to make and maintain healthy friendships in addition to building self-esteem. This 6-week group will begin on Monday, October 14th from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm at the JFS Florham Park location. For more information and to register, email Caitlyn at cspuckes@jfsmetrowest.org. Most major insurances accepted.

Jewish Family Service of MetroWest is a comprehensive social service agency providing mental health counseling and support services on a non-discriminatory basis. With a presence in the community since 1861, JFS today delivers an expanding number of programs to increasing numbers of people. For children and families, JFS provides individual, couple, child and family counseling, play therapy, support groups, school and synagogue-based social work services, family life education, and other assistance needed to support healthy families. Rachel Coalition, a division of JFS, provides domestic violence services for all members of the family affected by domestic violence. JFS also offers a wide range of services for older adults and their families including case management services, counseling, caregiver education, volunteer-friendly visitors, and specialized programs for Holocaust survivors. For more information, please call (973) 765-9050 or visit www.jfsmetrowest.org.

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