Our most popular and effective means of helping those desiring recovery is our 16-weeks programme which is repeated twice a year. Meetings generally consist of one hour of directional teaching on the recovery process, half hour of worship, followed by support group activities which generally take up to two hours.

Most of our clients benefit more from group activities than from individual counselling. The group offers acceptance, opportunities for building healthy, meaningful friendships as well as accountability.

Is it to cure, zap or fix you? No. We are here to support - stand with you in your own effort to grow beyond your point of weakness.

Clinical studies reveal that those who overcome life controlling problems must have two qualities:

1. Persevering Motivation
2. Support

So you will need the motivation. You will have to persevere. Changes take time. It is a process. But we will be there to encourage your efforts. We will accept you as you are. We will help to hold you accountable. We will affirm your efforts to change.

Our desire is to see you develop ...

• A more satisfying life.
• A sexuality, identity and relationships not in conflict with God and your values.
• A life of self-control in your thought life and behaviour.
• A life of healthy self-management - of learning to meet needs, handle stress and temptation in proper and healthy ways.

The goal is growth - Emotional, Intellectual, Relational, and Spiritual. We cannot do all this for you. But again, we can encourage and affirm your efforts.

We provide support in the following ways:

Teaching - lnsights are tools for better self awareness and self management.

Worship & Prayer - Communion with God reminds us of our true source of help and hope.

Support Group - Provides opportunity to confess, to receive encouragement and input, to be challenged and to share the burden of your struggles with understanding.

Each small group has one or two Group Facilitators who are volunteers. They are neither therapists nor psychologists. They do not have all the answers nor should you expect them to. They are not obligated to always be available nor to rescue you or make your decisions for you.

However, our Group Facilitators do care and they volunteer their time and energy because they want to encourage your efforts. You can expect them to be respectful, concerned and available to oversee your group. They will ensure that no one dominates and that group conversation remains clean and relevant. They will remind you of the Ground Rules when needed. They will report rude behaviour and any other misconduct or problems. You can expect them to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.

Please note that they will not be expected to tolerate any abusive, manipulative or seductive behaviour directed towards them. Should you have a concern about a Group Facilitator, please inform the ministry staff of Choices.

We encourage you to consider the following points to maximize your group experience...