These support groups are sacred spaces created by and for women survivors - places where your truth is honored, your strength is recognized, and your healing journey is supported by others who have walked similar paths.

Born from: The isolation of childhood trauma and the power of sisterhood and mutual understanding.

For years, I thought I was the only one who understood what it was like to navigate the world of Childhood Trauma. When I finally found other survivor women who got it - really got it - I discovered that healing accelerates when we're witnessed by others who share our experience.

You Are Not Alone

The isolation that often follows childhood sexual assault and family domestic violence can feel overwhelming. You might have spent years feeling like you're the only one who understands what it's like to:

• Carry secrets that shaped your entire childhood

• Navigate relationships when trust feels impossible

• Struggle with your body, boundaries, and sense of safety

• Feel responsible for what happened to you, even though you know it wasn't your fault

• Experience triggers and reactions that others don't understand

• Wonder if you'll ever feel "normal" or whole

Lived Experience Leadership

These groups are facilitated by someone who has been where you are.

• No judgment - your story, your responses, your timeline are all valid

• Real understanding - of the unique challenges survivors face

• Hope through example - seeing someone who has walked your path and is thriving

• Authentic safety - created by someone who knows what survivors need to feel secure

Trauma-Informed and Person-Centered

Every aspect of these groups is designed with survivor safety and empowerment in mind:

• You're always in control - share what you want, when you want, or just listen

• Your pace, your process - no pressure to heal faster or differently than feels right for you

• Confidentiality is sacred - what's shared in group stays in group, always

• Safety first - both emotional and physical safety are prioritized in every moment

What Happens in These Groups

Connection and Understanding

• Being truly seen by other women who understand your experience without explanation

• Sharing stories (only if and when you want to) in a space free from judgment

• Witnessing courage as you hear other women's journeys of survival and healing

• Breaking isolation that trauma often creates

Practical Healing Tools

• Coping strategies that actually work for survivors of childhood trauma

• Boundary setting skills to help you feel safer in relationships

• Body awareness practices to help you reconnect with your physical self

• Trigger management techniques developed by and for survivors

• Self-compassion practices to counter the self-criticism trauma often leaves behind

Empowerment and Growth

• Reclaiming your voice in a space where it's safe to speak your truth

• Recognizing your strength - the incredible resilience it took to survive

• Building healthy relationships starting with the connections you make in group

• Exploring your identity beyond what happened to you

• Creating meaning from your experience in whatever way feels right to you

Who Are These Groups For?

These groups welcome women (18+) who have experienced:

• Childhood sexual assault - whether by family members, family friends, or others in trusted positions

• Family domestic violence - growing up in homes where violence was present

• Complex trauma - multiple traumatic experiences, often starting in childhood

• Intergenerational trauma - patterns of abuse that have affected multiple generations in your family.

These groups are run by Kerry Gleeson at The Advocate.

For more information and to find out meeting times, contact kerry.gleeson@outlook.com.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a natural and normal reaction everyone experiences from time to time. People feel anxiety in situations that they think are threatening or dangerous in some way. Sometimes anxiety, when not too intense, can be helpful, such as when trying to cross a very busy road or doing something risky.

Anxiety affects a person's thoughts, feelings in the body, and behavior or actions. While anxiety is normal, it can become overwhelming and interfere with daily life. That's where our support group can help.

Why Join Our Support Group?

Peer Support

Connect with others who truly understand what you're going through. Share experiences in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

Coping Strategies

Learn practical techniques and tools from both facilitators and fellow group members to manage anxiety effectively.

Build Confidence

Gain strength and confidence as you share your story and hear others' journeys of growth and recovery.

Personal Growth

Develop self-awareness and resilience while working towards your personal mental health goals.

Meeting Info

What to Expect

Our support group meetings are structured yet flexible, allowing for both guided discussion and open sharing. Each session typically includes:

• Welcome and check-in with all participants

• Discussion of coping strategies and techniques

• Sharing experiences in a supportive environment

• Goal setting and encouragement for the week ahead

All discussions are confidential, and participation in sharing is always voluntary. Come as you are – there's no pressure to speak until you're comfortable.

Who Can Join?

Our group is open to adults (18+) who are experiencing anxiety and seeking peer support. No referral is needed, and you don't need a formal diagnosis to participate. Whether you're dealing with general anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, or anxiety related to specific situations, you'll find understanding and support here.

We welcome people at all stages of their mental health journey – from those just beginning to understand their anxiety to those who have been managing it for years. Support Group Locations | Wayahead.

These groups are co facilitated with ith Kerry at The Advocate in Mona Vale - 1st Tuesday in the month from 6.30-8.30pm.

For more information see HERE.

Seasons for Growth - Children’s Groups

Seasons for Growth is a small group education program that supports children and young people to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to understand and respond well to experiences of change, loss and grief.

Seasons for Growth supports children and young people who have experienced change and loss, including, although not limited to friendship changes; family separation; loss or death of someone they care about; loss of a pet; relocation and forced migration; living away in out of home care; physical or mental illness; or impacts of war, terrorism or pandemics. We suggest that children and young people impacted by bereavement wait 6-12 months before participating in a Seasons for Growth program.

Children and Young People's Program | MacKillop Seasons

 Seasons for Growth - Adults Groups

Seasons for Growth is a small group education program that supports adults to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to understand and respond well to experiences of change, loss and grief.

Seasons for Growth supports adults who have experienced change and loss, including, family separation; loss or death of someone they care about; loss of a pet; relocation and forced migration; physical or mental illness; or impacts of war, terrorism or pandemics. While the adult program reflects the same underlying theory as the Children and Young People's program, it incorporates sound adult learning principles to help build resilience and promote the social and emotional wellbeing of adults as they adapt to change, loss and grief in their lives.

Adult Program | MacKillop Seasons.

These groups are run by Kerry Gleeson at The Advocate.

For more information and to find out meeting times, contact kerry.gleeson@outlook.com.