Joining A Group

WINGS support groups focus on the impact of childhood sexual abuse on the group member. The WINGS handbook, Survivors Guide to Healing, is used as the structure of the group and a discussion topic is chosen by group members weekly. Some of the topics discussed in the groups include:

• Accepting love
• Recognizing addictions, compulsions, and other survival mechanisms
• Accepting total responsibility for one's own happiness
• Returning responsibility for the abuse to the perpetrator
• Learning to accept that the sexual abuse really happened
• Practicing setting appropriate boundaries
• Learning to respect and love oneself by taking positive actions honoring self
• Trust and relationships
• Depression, anxiety, dissociation, and other mental health issues
• Eating disorders and body image issues
• Suicidal thoughts
• Spirituality
• Sexuality and other issues common to survivors

Every WINGS group is facilitated by a volunteer, master’s level psychotherapist. All facilitators are carefully screened and trained by the WINGS staff. Our facilitators do not provide therapy. Their role is to provide safety, stability, and structure to the group, allowing group members to focus on their own issues rather than taking care of each other.

WINGS' therapist-facilitated support groups are open to survivors of childhood sexual abuse who are age 18 and over. Survivor support groups are divided by gender and meet weekly for two hours in a confidential location. You may attend a WINGS support group for as long as you choose. There is no time limit. We encourage you to attend weekly, but do not require it. The cost of the group is based on a siding scale determined by your household income, but no one is turned away due to an inability to pay.

We also provide Loved Ones support groups for adults who are helping a survivor in their life. Loved Ones groups meet twice per year for 8-week segments and are coed. These groups meet for two-hour sessions and are part psycho-educational and part support. The group is co-facilitated by volunteer master’s level therapists. Some of the topics discussed in group are survivor stages of healing, communication, intimacy, how to assist and understand the survivor, how to take care of yourself, and available resources to assist in your healing journey with a survivor.

All survivors or loved ones interested in joining a support group must first contact the WINGS office to complete a brief telephone intake. We can be reached at (303) 238-8660 in the Denver metro area or (800) 373-8671 outside the Denver metro area.

List of current support groups

WINGS has support groups available in a variety of locations. You can attend the group that is convenient for you. New groups are started where and when need exists.