Blended Family Support Group: Can We Talk?

By BERNICE T. JOHNSON

Can We Talk? is a support group for adults who are part of a blended family. Blended Family is: a family formed by the remarriage of a divorced or widowed parent. It includes the husband and wife, plus some or all of their children from previous marriages. It can also be simply defined as a biological parent a stepparent (a parent related by marriage) and the children of one or both parents.

With the divorce rate nearing 50% in the United States, Psychology for Living; Karen Grover Duffy, 8th edition p. 328, more people than ever find themselves in this new family structure. Can We Talk? is just one way to get help to participants who are new to this type of family. It can give aid in assuring a positive experience for each adult and child living within this family structure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 20, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493172160

BERNICE T. JOHNSON

MINISTER BERNICE T. JOHNSON Bernice holds an Associate Degree in Mental Health/Social Work from Oakland County Community College, Auburn Hills, MI and was an honor student, as she continued her studies to Senior Year in social work, at Marygrove College in Detroit, MI. She earned a diploma from Word of Faith (WOF) International Christian Center’s School of Ministry, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and was licensed and ordained by Bishop Keith A. Butler, founder of WOF International Christian Center. Bernice has also held a cosmetologist license by the State of Michigan Bernice began ministering alongside her husband Michael in his first pastorate in Detroit, Michigan, as well as his pastoral assignments in Georgia, California, and his final assignment as Senior Pastor of Word of Faith, Jackson, Mississippi. She continues today to lead others through prayer groups, evangelizing, encouragement through the Word of God and her gift of compassion. Bernice has written a book “The Perfect Blend” and plans to assist blended families through group sessions and workshops, as she also continues to lead many to Christ through her preaching and gently sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ wherever God opens the door. Contact for further information or speaking engagements: Email: [e-mail] Web site: soon to come [phone]

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by BERNICE T. JOHNSON. 602406

ISBN:

Softcover 978-1-4931-7217-7

EBook 978-1-4931-7216-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 10/05/2015

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

About Author and Introduction

Purpose & Goals

Confidentiality Agreement & Establishing Group Norms

Week One Facilitation Guide & Exercises

Treasure Chest

Making Name Tags

Establishing Group Norms & Confidentiality Agreement

Week Two Facilitation Guide & Exercises

Picture That - Photos

Paint/Draw - A Stroke of the Brush

Week Three Facilitation Guide & Exercises

New People Makers by Virginia Satir (Pgs. 158-181)

Chapter 12 Review Questionnaire

Week Four Facilitation Guide & Exercises

Up Close and Personal Exercise

The Perfect Blend Reading Assignment

Introduce - Making a Mandala

Week Five Facilitation Guide & Exercises

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall Exercise

Mandala of Your Life Art

Introduce Mask Making

Mid-Term Evaluation

Week Six Facilitation Guide & Exercises

Personality Types Discussion

Introduce Making Mobiles

Mask Making

Week Seven Facilitation Guide & Exercises

Make Family Mobiles

Instructions on Group Appreciation Notes

Week Eight Facilitation Guide & Exercises

Give Out Thank You Cards

Certificates – Gift & Completion

Final Evaluations

Pass Out Short-Term Follow-Up Letter

Appendix A

Introductions and Openings

Appendix B

Temperature Readings

Appendix C

Relaxation/Word Meditation

Appendix D

In This Moment

Appendix E

Short-Term Follow-Up

Bibliography

ATTENTION - - - - - MEN & WOMEN- - - - -ATTENTION

CAN WE TALK?

A SUPPORT GROUP FOR

MEN AND WOMEN IN BLENDED FAMILIES

EIGHT (8) CONSECUTIVE WEEKS

Friday Nights (suggested) or (All Day Saturday)

CLASS ONE

BEGINNING THE FIRST FRIDAY IN THE MONTHS OF

FREBRUARY

MAY

AUGUST

NOVEMBER

Contact:

___________________________

For further information

About The Author

The Founder and Group Facilitator of Can We Talk? is Bernice T. Johnson. Bernice earned an Associates Degree in Mental Health/Social Work from Oakland Community College. She continued her studies at Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan in the field of Social Work. Bernice was trained in Group Dynamics Theory and Practice by Gail Palmer, LMSW. Having an interest in group therapy Bernice worked hundreds of hours as an intern between The Salvation Army Detroit, Michigan, Woodward Counseling, Pontiac, Michigan and COT’S (Coalition on Temporary Shelter) Detroit, Michigan. She was given many opportunities to process patient intakes, conduct group sessions, complete client documentation, and to conduct individual and group counseling.

Bernice was Ministerial Assistant to her husband Pastor C. Michael Johnson for more than twenty-five years. In this position she developed several participant groups, spoke at women’s conferences, preached and taught Bible Studies and counseled families regarding life’s issues including those specific to blended families. Bernice and her husband Michael had nearly 30 years of experience as a blended family.

Introduction

Can We Talk? is a support group for adults who are part of a blended family. Blended Family is: a family formed by the remarriage of a divorced or widowed parent. It includes the husband and wife, plus some or all of their children from previous marriages. It can also be simply defined as a biological parent, a stepparent (a parent related by marriage) and the children of one or both parents.

With the divorce rate nearing 50% in the United States, Psychology for Living; Karen Grover Duffy, 8th edition p. 328, more people than ever find themselves in this new family structure. Can We Talk? is just one way to get help to participants who are new to this type of family. It aids in assuring a positive experience for each adult and child living within this family structure.

Can We Talk? is becoming more and more necessary due to the high rate of single parenting which inevitably leads to a blended family when either the mother or the father of the child does in fact marry, but marries someone other than their child’s biological parent. When I decided to form this group (open to all races), I must admit I had in mind two minorities. The two minorities I had in mind were females and African Americans. Often the woman is the caregiver when her husband brings his children from a previous relationship into a marriage. As for African American Participants, statistics have shown that there are more single parent homes occupied by African Americans than white Americans.

http://www.huntermillergroup.com/.

As I moved forward in this project I began to understand that the number of men who are raising children as single parents is on the rise. Therefore, I extended this curriculum to include men as well. Both male and female, and all races benefit from help in parenting in a blended family. Also, I wanted to help those who are dating toward a marriage that will be blended.

The purpose of Can We Talk? is to assist adults in coping with the stresses a blended family can have. It will help participants to build meaningful relationships with others in similar situations. The group exercises will allow the participants to express their inner feelings through art, discussions, and a variety of group interactions.

It is my hope that every person who attends this eight week (or a full day) support group will walk away knowing he or she has a support team and that he or she is special because they’ve been given this opportunity to excel in their blended family. I want each person to walk away with helpful tools at their fingertips to assist in the important role they play within their family.

Purpose

The purpose of Can We Talk? is to equip blended families with tools for success. It fosters a sense of comradery with group members and celebrates the uniqueness of each blended family household. The group will benefit from each other and the exercises, in the following ways:

1. Sharing experiences

2. Having a forum to discuss difficult issues that arise in a blended family

3. Celebrating together, the beauty of a blended family

4. Committing to giving