Introductory group for women who have a history of living with a controlling or abusive partner (or parent).

Beginning in October. Daytime and evening group. Four sessions.
Fee: $200 including materials/tape.
Call (781) 862-3699 to enroll or for information.

The experience of being battered and abused—even if never repeated—has a real impact on the individual's territorial boundary defenses. Normally this will generate a loss of resilience that will show up as being "too open" or/and "too resistant." One of the main goals of this beginning workshop is to rejuvenate the instinctive boundary responses. Instead of "just" talking, we will take the learning to a more basic place, away from the realm of stories, thoughts, analyses, and words which is where we traditionally go when we want to change ourselves. A study of communication points to communication being 93 percent nonverbal and only 7 percent verbal, so any changes you can make nonverbally will make a big difference.

We will work with defending spirits postures and show how they impact presence, and how presence impacts other people's reactions.

Goals could be: Saying no without anger, resisting without fighting, giving up your position without loss of integrity, asserting your opinion without being "bitchy" or "wimpy," being able to leave (to move from) an untenable situation without feeling paralyzed, staying centered.