Workshops and Groups

It can be hard to face life’s challenges alone, and finding others who are going through similar experiences is not always easy. JSSA is here to help you connect to, grow with, and learn from your neighbors.

We offer workshops and group counseling for everyone, from teens struggling to cope at school to people experiencing grief and loss. Our licensed staff lead these sessions and allow you to engage in an honest, supportive environment.

Support Group for Parents of Children with Chronic Illness- NEW GROUP

This group aims to provide support to parents of youth with one or more chronic illnesses of any kind. Topics of conversation will be group-led and may include the following: navigating the health care system, grieving the change of lifestyle that comes with having a child with a chronic health condition, helping parents support their children navigate differences they experience from their same-aged peers, helping parents advocate successfully for their children, and connecting with parents who experience similar challenges.

Starting Every Friday from July 12 – August 23
Time: 12:30-1:45 pm
Location: In person at JSSA Fallsgrove Office – 200 Wood Hill Road, Rockville, MD
Cost: $175
Facilitators: Heidi Hill and Jessica Marks

Heidi Hill is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Maryland.  She started working in the mental health field in 2015 working with adolescents in residential settings and graduating with a degree in Recreational Therapy in 2016.  She has worked in a variety of settings as a recreational therapist and social work intern, working with people ages four to seventy-four and graduating with her master’s in social work in 2020.  Since then, she has been seeing clients at the JSSA clinic and JSSA’s school-based program, Mind Craft.

Jessica Marks (she/her/hers) holds a Bachelor of Art from the University of Oregon and is an LCPC student at Pepperdine University, graduating in December of 2024. She has worked with families in previous careers and now wants to focus on working with children. She also has an interest and experience working with children with chronic illnesses and has knowledge of many resources that could benefit families who have a child with a chronic illness.

To register for the group, please email Heidi at hhill@jssa.org or Jessica at jmarks2@jssa.org.

Support Group for Parents of Adults with Disabilities – Ongoing

Wednesdays 10:00-11:30 AM

Led by Lori Kolle.  If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Lori at lkolle@jssa.org or call her at 301-610-8374.

Bereavement Groups

Losing a loved one can be debilitating. Everyone processes the shock and grief of loss differently, and the individual journey of grieving can leave us feeling isolated and lost. When you don’t know where to turn or how to move forward, JSSA is here to help you.

Our bereavement support groups provide a respectful and supportive setting where you can share your feelings and gain insight into the process of grieving. Facilitated by clinicians with specialized training and experience in grief and offered at no charge, these groups include:

• Adult Children Who Have Lost a Parent
• Loss of Spouse/Partner
• Loss of Spouse/Partner Over One Year
• Suicide Grief for Adults
• Loss of Child or Teen – Virtual & In-person

Pre-registration is required for all bereavement groups. Participants are requested to wait until at least three months after the loss before joining a group.

Please call 240-800-JSSA and press 2 for hospice to register for a bereavement group.

Adult Children Who Have Lost a Parent Support Group

Seven-session evening group for adults who have lost a parent within the past year. Held several times a year.

Loss of Spouse/Partner Support Group – ongoing

Meets virtually the second and fourth Friday of the month
TIME: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Loss of Child or Teen Support Group – ongoing (Virtual & In-person)

Meets virtually on Monday evenings once a month.

Suicide Grief Support Group for Adults

Meets virtually the first and third Mondays of each month
TIME: 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Loss of Spouse/Partner Greater than One Year

Eight-session evening group for adults who have lost a spouse/partner over a year ago. Held several times a year.