Helping Residents Heal Through Group Time at Catalyst Farms

Hello, my name is Wendy, and I am a direct care team member and social worker for Catalyst Farms. We are a residential property in Central Illinois where victims from the sex trade come to seek refuge and restoration. We help them live, heal and rebuild their lives. As part of our continuing care after rescue, we hold group sessions where we focus on helping victims change their thoughts, which in turn helps to change their behaviors and values. The purpose of these sessions is to help victims heal from trauma and the atrocities done to them, as well as interact healthfully with the outside world once again.

Did you know that your mind will always move in the direction of your strongest thoughts? I’m sure, we’ve all had experiences at one time or another where our thoughts have spiraled out of control in a split second. One minute you may find yourself noticing a pounding headache, while the next minute you are already worrying whether you have cancer and imagining your funeral. Can you relate?

It is easy when dealing with conflict, difficult life circumstances, or when something doesn’t go your way— and even how we perceive a comment from someone else—to engage in negative self-talk, make assumptions, catastrophize, or think in black or white terms. This is what is commonly referred to as “stinkin’ thinking.” If we are not careful, it can take us to very dark places. The point is: The way we think ultimately determines the way we live. Our thoughts and beliefs affect our behavior and the way we interact with the world. If we want to change our behavior, we have to change our thinking, beliefs and values.

Evaluating our behaviors, thoughts, beliefs and values are what we focus on during our Thursday morning Coping Skills Group at Catalyst Farms. Our goal is to help our residents break the cycle of unhelpful, distorted negative thoughts and replace them with reframed positive thoughts that will lead to more peace-filled, purposeful, productive, and ultimately more whole, healed lives. The apostle Paul speaks to this point when he says, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” in Romans 12:2.

During our group time we talk about a variety of subjects from identifying and articulating our feelings, learning what triggers our anxiety, anger, or depression, to preventative measures and developing effective coping skills. By becoming aware of our unhealthy patterns and triggers, we have the ability to make healthier, more effective choices. We use group discussion, worksheets, exercises and processing of current life issues to build self-awareness and positive coping skills.

The beauty of the group experience is that the residents realize they are not alone in their struggles; they learn from each other and are challenged and encouraged by one another. Personally, I have thoroughly enjoyed these groups times. It has been fun and motivating to all be learning together as we move toward being all that God designed us to be. I love witnessing the resident’s “ah-ha” moments or laughing together over some of the crazy things we think and do. Working with Catalyst residents has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.

—Wendy 

Proverbs 31:8-9