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Joan W. Gill, MEd, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Psychotherapy and Consultation

EMDR Trained

Grief and Bereavement

Life Coach

Spectrum Center

4100 Westheimer, Suite 233

Houston, Texas 77027

SUPPORT GROUPS & WORK SHOPS

SMOKING CESSATION GROUP

Are you ready to quit smoking? Did you know that most of those who become non-smokers do so with the help of a group? Breaking a long-standing habit of ANY kind is difficult. Being with others on the same path, sharing the same goals and being led by someone who has been where you are, can make the difference between success or failure.

Joan Gill is a licensed Professional Counselor who leads a Smoking Cessation Workshop scheduled to begin on Monday, October 13. This workshop will offer methods to help you successfully accomplish your goal of becoming a non-smoker. Joan is herself an ex-smoker who understands the process. She personally knows the pitfalls and accompanying difficulties. She also knows the liberating feeling of success. If you have ever entertained the desire to stop smoking, now is the time. You will never regret it! Both men and women of all ages are welcome.

Begins: Monday, October 13

Time: 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Length: Every Monday night for 8 weeks

A SUPPORT GROUP FOR WOMEN BORN BEFORE 1946

Women who were born before 1946 have experienced great history of events, values, experiences during a time when they were impressionable and forming the values and personalities they would keep for the rest of their lives. They have been called 'The Quiet Generation'.

History/experience/values are vastly different from subsequent generations,

Their parents were born within the first twenty years of the twentieth century
and they were deeply affected by the Depression and WW II,

They were affected by the same events,

Patriotism was rampant,

Children helped plant victory gardens, collected scrap metal, sold war bonds,

They weren't the generation who fought the war but the family members they
lost were fathers, uncles, brothers, cousins, and good friends,

Some family members experienced the war in very dangerous places,
especially if they were Jewish,

Wartime ration stamps, blackouts, and shortages were a huge part of their
daily lives,

As if that weren't enough, they couldn't even get any bubble gum; in fact,
most of them had never tasted it!! WHOA!!! Anyone remember that??

They graduated from high school in the forties and fifties - a VERY different
experience,

Early marriage,

We are now at a time of BIG change in our lives!

We are aging - and we have found out that it really isn't for sissies,

Our husbands have retired - they are aging, too, and driving us 'up the wall' -but we love them,

We have retired, are retiring, and/or beginning another career,

We have become widows,

We have health problems, Our husbands have health problems,

A child or grandchild may have come to live with us,

Our senior years have turned out to be very different from what we had hoped and planned for,

We have lots to talk about. If you could use a place of support or you would just like to be part of a group like this, it is my pleasure to invite you to join us. We'll laugh and cry (not too much) together. Our groups will be small so each person has a chance to express herself if she desires.

I am very excited about a support group, which I plan to launch this fall. This will be a women's group for the Pre-Boomer generation. This is my generation and I feel a deep resonance to the unique perspective and challenges inherent in our life experience.

We are the "Quiet Generation", born before 1946, daughters of the "Greatest Generation" but not "Baby Boomers". Some have memories of WWII, FDR, and the Depression. We are now facing aging, retirement, widowhood, changing homes, deaths of parents and older family members as well as friends. Our experiences may be fearful, but they can also mark the beginning of a new and exciting life.

This group will meet during the day from 1:30pm to 3pm to avoid traveling at night and in heavy traffic patterns. This is not a therapy group. This is a support group, which will involve confidential and intimate sharing along with educational and entertaining topic discussion.

I do not believe this generation of women has been the focus for a support group in our community. This may be a first, and I welcome your involvement in making this happen.