Peace House is offering a series of holiday-focused self-care workshops aimed at supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The organization will host two dates this month, with sessions centered on grief and setting boundaries during the holidays. Associate director of the no nprofit, Katherine Aguilera said the series grew out of the need to provide grounding, support and community during the holiday season, which is often portrayed as joyful but, for many survivors, can bring “heightened grief, stress, safety concerns and complicated family dynamics,” she said.  Peace House has hosted these holiday season-focused groups for the last three years, which Aguilera said survivors help shape. “These workshops directly reflect Peace House’s core purpose of safety, healing and hope,” she said. “We hope attendees leave with a felt sense of community and the understanding that they are not alone, along with the validation that holiday related stress, grief and post-traumatic symptoms are common and shared among survivors.” The December sessions will be held in English and Spanish, with Spanish-language groups led by two of Peace House’s bilingual CSW therapists and English-language groups led by a clinical intern pursuing a BSW, said Aguilera. All sessions will mix trauma-informed psychoeducation, reflection, optional art activities and group discussion. Workshops this month are scheduled for 2 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 16. “The groups are designed to strengthen survivors’ confidence in listening to their intuition, identifying safe support systems, and navigating situations where their experiences or risk level may be minimized by others,” she said. “Participants will also have opportunities to build practical tools for safety planning, emotional regulation, grounding and boundary setting, all within a safe, compassionate space where interpersonal violence, often hidden or misunderstood, can be openly acknowledged and explored.” Aguilera said the workshops are grounded in the belief that healing has generational impact. Offering intentional support during a season of heightened stress, she added, is one way Peace House puts its mission into action. Workshops will take place on the first floor of Peace House’s secure facility, which is fully wheelchair accessible. Interpreter services for deaf and hard of hearing participants are available with two business days’ notice. Peace House’s regular services also remain active through the holidays, including its 24/7 helpline, hospital response team for sexual assault services at Park City Hospital, and emergency shelter, depending on availability. Aguilera said participants and community members at large can connect with additional support at any time through Peace House’s full wraparound model.  “All of our programs are entirely voluntary, and survivors choose which services they want or feel ready to engage in,” said Aguilera. “For example, entering our Emergency Shelter does not require participation in any other programs, and survivors determine what support they need and what they would like to learn more about. Availability for certain programs, including space in our emergency shelter, may vary based on demand, but our full list of services can always be found on our website.” The organization’s programs include: sexual assault services — including a 24/7 hospital response team and forensic exam support — emergency shelter, individual and group therapy, case management, legal advocacy, healthcare coordination, children’s programming, prevention education and transitional housing among others.  The 24/7 helpline is the primary point of entry, with referrals typically made within two business days. For anyone in immediate danger, Aguilera emphasized calling 911 first, with Peace House available afterward for additional support. To register for the December sessions, community members can reach out via email to [email protected]. The post Peace House to host holiday self-care group sessions appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less