For women who have survived violence, abuse or both, ISU Student Counseling Services is offering a Women Trauma Survivors Group beginning Oct. 1.

Suzanne Zilber, staff psychologist for ISU Student Counseling Services, and Kersten White, counseling intern for ISU Student Counseling Services, are leading this year’s group.

The group is designed for women who have had experiences involving physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse.

“The group is intended to be for women who have had some sort of interpersonal violence or interpersonal abuse,” she said.

The group will benefit women at Iowa State by providing a safe, supportive environment where they can explore their thoughts, feelings and behaviors in order to heal from their trauma, White said.

“Our group provides a wonderful opportunity for women who have experienced trauma to heal from the pain in a safe and supported environment,” she said. “Group members realize they are not alone and that others relate to and understand what they are experiencing, which will greatly facilitate the process of healing.”

Zilber and White said their ultimate goal is for women in the group to acknowledge their own strengths, goodness, courage and dignity as they recognize these aspects in other survivors.

“I find it a real privilege to facilitate this group because I’m able to observe the women discovering their strengths, discovering ways to not feel trapped by any past experience, and to see them supporting each other,” Zilber said.

The group meets Wednesday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A brief introductory appointment is required, which can be done by contacting Zilber or White at the ISU Student Services Building.

“Anyone can join at any point throughout the semester, and all services are free of charge,” Zilber said.