You have a place to turn to.
Heartly House offers both individual and group counseling to children and adults as well as survivors and secondary survivors. Free and confidential, our counseling is provided by trauma informed, licensed clinicians. The counseling department also offers learning experiences for masters-level counseling and social work students.
Below is a list of currently offered support groups. To request participation in a group or to receive more information, please call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
Support Groups for Adults.
Please note, this is a free service.
Shelter Support Group
When: Mondays from 8:30-9:30pm. Requests do NOT need to be submitted for this group, but it is only open to current shelter clients.
Description: This is an in-person, weekly, drop-in group for current shelter clients. Group is individualized each week to support the unique therapeutic needs of the clients that attend. Topics may include psychoeducation on trauma, building coping skills, positive parenting, effects of trauma on children, healthy communication, and boundaries. This is a safe space for clients to receive support around adjusting to shelter and making decisions about next steps.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
EMDR G-TEP (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Group – Traumatic Events Protocol
When: Mondays from 6:15-8:15pm. The group can have a maximum of 6 participants per cycle, and may alternate cycles with the C-G-TEP group (see below). Requests can be submitted for the next cycle (start date TBD).
Description: This is a 4-week in-person group focused on building grounding skills for stabilization and individually processing trauma through guided instruction by EMDRIA Certified therapist. During processing, participants are not required or encouraged to discuss details of their traumatic events with the group in order to avoid cross traumatization of group members. This is an amazing opportunity to experience the healing power of EMDR in a safe group setting.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Women’s Support Group
When: Mondays from 1:00-2:15pm
Description: This is an open and ongoing group for women who have experienced or are currently experiencing intimate partner abuse in any form – emotional, physical, psychological, etc. It provides a trauma-informed, nonjudgmental environment for participants to share their experiences related to IPV, give and receive support, and discuss topics related to safety, healing, and healthy relationships.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
Circle of Support
(Parents of Human Trafficking Survivors)
When: Thursdays from 3:00-4:00pm. This group is currently recruiting members and the format (virtual or in-person) will be determined by group preference.
Description: This is a closed 10-week group for parents of survivors of human trafficking. It offers a safe, supportive environment for members to share, listen, and heal together. The group will provide opportunities for members to give and receive support, as well as learn psychoeducation related to complex and secondary trauma.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Men’s Support Group
When: Every other Wednesday (virtually) from 6:30-7:45pm.
Description: This is an open, rolling-admission group for men who experienced or are experiencing intimate partner violence from their female partners. It offers a safe space to receive support from other men in similar situations, freely share their experiences about IPV, and feel heard and empowered. It is a judgment-free and trauma-informed space to discuss relevant topics related to IPV, such as safety, healing, and healthy relationships.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
Parent Empowerment Group
When: Tuesdays from 1-2pm (for the parenting curriculum portion). There will be two in-person evening sessions at the end of the group for the EMDR portion. The next cycle’s start date is TBA.
Description: This is a 10-week parenting group focused on learning about the neurodevelopment of the child and adolescent brain, developing effective positive parenting skills to manage difficult behaviors, and empowering and resourcing parents to feel confident as they help their children grow. It integrates EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) to help parents develop and strengthen adaptive neurology around their parenting practices. Appropriate for parents with kids 17 years and younger.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
SELF
When: Tuesdays 1:00-2:15pm
Description: This is an open group for women who have experienced any type of sexual assault or sexual abuse. The psychoeducational curriculum is a part of the Sanctuary Model and focuses on Safety, Emotions, Loss, and
Future (SELF).
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
Empowered (Boundaries Support Group)
When: TBD. The group is currently on hold, but requests can be submitted for a future cycle.
Description: This is a closed, 14-week group for all survivors. This group will help clients to work on setting boundaries and limits through psychoeducation, boundary-setting tips, examples, and practice exercises using interactive activities, journal exercises, and encouragement from other participants and the group facilitator. Participants will be given a weekly handout to complete throughout the group.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
Healing Pride
When: Every other Tuesday from 6:45 – 7:45pm
This group is currently accepting new group members.
Description: This is a open, rolling-admission group for LGBTQIA+ identifying adult survivors of intimate partner violence and/or sexual assault or abuse. The group incorporates education about trauma, skill-building to manage trauma symptoms, and processing trauma in an affirming environment
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
Beyond Trauma
When: Thursdays from 12-1:15pm (in-person) This group is currently closed, so new requests will be considered for the Summer 2025 cycle.
Description: This is a closed group for adult survivors of childhood trauma experiences and/or intimate partner violence and sexual assault/abuse. The group utilizes a highly organized and structured group content that incorporates education about trauma, the neuroscience related to trauma/PTSD, and deeper understanding into the impacts of trauma in a small and confidential setting.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
Seeking Safety (Women’s Group)
When: Thursdays (virtually) from 12:00-1:15pm
Description: This is an open, rolling-admission group for female survivors of trauma and substance use. This group is also appropriate for survivors who may think substance use is a factor in their life. Seeking Safety is a judgment-free and trauma-informed space to discuss relevant topics related to trauma and substance use, such as healthy coping skills, managing trauma symptoms, coping without substances, cultivating safe and supportive relationships, and how to feel good about yourself
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
Male Sexual Assault Survivor Group
When: Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30pm
Description: This is an open group for men who have experienced any type of sexual assault or sexual abuse.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
Processing Beyond Trauma
When: Thursdays from 12:00-1:15pm
Description: The group is only open to clients who have completed a full cycle of Beyond Trauma.
This group is a continuation of the Beyond Trauma support group. This group is focused on trauma processing and giving/receiving support amongst group members.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
STAIR
When: TBD. The group is currently on hold, but requests can be submitted for a future cycle.
Description: This is a closed, 8-week group for adult survivors of abuse. This group aims to increase awareness, understanding, and regulation of emotions and will include strategies that focus on the body, thoughts, and behaviors. The group will also explore interpersonal skills to support each survivor’s relationships with others.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
THRIVE
When: TBD. The group is currently on hold, but requests can be submitted for a future cycle.
Description: This is an 8-week, closed, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy support group for survivors of abuse. This group will be following a workbook and focus on practical solutions and strategies to increase self-acceptance and positive change in clients’ lives. Clients will have a chance to explore who they are as individuals. This will include exercises and self-reflection to help them identify what they truly value in life; as well as identifying action steps they can take to help incorporate more of what makes them happy into their daily lives.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
The Creative Bridge (Expressive Group)
When: Wednesdays (in-person) 6:30-8:00pm, tentatively starting May 7, 2025.
Description: Join us for a supportive 4-week closed group focused on exploring emotions and building coping skills through creative interventions like collages, painting, sand tray work, and more. Designed for individuals
impacted by any form of violence, this group integrates psychoeducation with hands-on activities to foster healing and resilience.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
Parenting Support Group
When: Wednesdays from 12:00pm-1:00pm (start date TBD).
Description: This is a virtual, open and ongoing group for current caregivers whose parenting has been impacted by child abuse, human trafficking, sexual assault, or intimate-partner violence experienced by the child and/or caregiver. Topics discussed may include psychoeducation on trauma, emotional regulation, parenting
strategies, and coping with coparenting challenges. This is a space for support and empowerment.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
Parenting Workshops
When: This offering is currently on hold, but requests can be submitted for a future workshop.
Description: These workshops are for parents who have children that experienced trauma due to witnessing or experiencing abuse, neglect, assault, or interpersonal violence. Parents can attend any or all of the workshops.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800 to inquire about becoming a Heartly House client (if not one already) in order to attend.
It is required to RSVP at least one week before the workshop date to reserve your spot.
Corazon de Mujer
When: 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month from 6-7:15pm.
Description: “Corazon de Mujer” is an open support group for survivors of trauma. It aims to help women connect and build supportive relationships while discussing common experiences. During our small group sessions, you will learn about coping mechanisms, remember your strengths, listen to other women’s experiences, and share your own (if you wish), and you will be accepted for who you are, without judgment or discrimination. The support group will focus on reflection, tips to manage anxiety, depression, stress, isolation and give us the opportunity to improve each day using coping skills.
“Corazón de Mujer” es un grupo abierto de apoyo para sobrevivientes de trauma. Tiene como objetivo ayudar a las mujeres a conectarse y construir relaciones de apoyo mientras discuten experiencias comunes. Durante nuestras sesiones íntimas en grupo, aprenderás sobre los mecanismos de adaptación, recordarás tus puntos fuertes, escucharás las experiencias de otras mujeres y compartirás las tuyas (si lo deseas), sin juzgar y sin discriminación. El grupo de apoyo se centrará en la reflexión, consejos para manejar la ansiedad, la depresión, el estrés, el aislamiento y la oportunidad de mejorar cada día utilizando habilidades de afrontamiento.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
Support Groups for Children/Teens.
Please note, these are free services.
Child Coping Skills Group
When: In-person on Mondays from 5:00–6:00pm
The group is currently on hold, but requests can be submitted for a future cycle.
Description: This is a closed 8-week group for children who have experienced trauma from intimate partner violence, sexual assault, or child abuse. This is not a process-oriented group, but a structured group focusing on coping skill education and practice. Participants will spend the hour learning about the benefits of coping skills, how to incorporate them into their lives, and practicing skills in a safe and supportive environment.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
Children Witnessing Domestic Violence
When: Mondays from 7:00-8:00pm.
The group is currently on hold, but requests can be submitted for the next cycle.
Description: This is a closed, in-person psychoeducational group for children/adolescents who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence in their homes. This group runs in cycles.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
Empowered Teens
When: Thursdays from 3:15-4:15. The group is currently on hold, but requests can be submitted for a future cycle.
Description: This is a 10 week, in-person, closed group offered to teens and will focus on providing psychoeducation in a safe, supportive environment. Group content will cover topics such as healthy relationships, boundaries, trauma responses, and emotional regulation. This is not a process-oriented group, but facilitators will incorporate art, interactive discussions, and relevant videos to educate and empower group members
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
Regulation and Relationships
When: Wednesdays from 4-5:00pm.
The group is currently on hold, but requests can be submitted for a future cycle.
Description: This is an in-person group for Middle School aged clients focusing on learning emotional regulation techniques and providing psychoeducation around healthy relationships. Coping skills, communication techniques and boundary setting will be discussed. This is a closed group that will run for 6 weeks.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
EMDR C-G-TEP (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing for Children – Group)
When: Mondays from 6:15-8:15pm. The group can have a maximum of 6 participants per cycle, and may alternate cycles with the G-TEP group (see above). The next cycle’s start date is TBD.
Description: This is a 4-week in-person group for children who have experienced a traumatic event. The group is focused on building grounding and stabilization skills and individually processing trauma through guided instruction by an EMDRIA Certified therapist. During processing, participants are not required or encouraged to discuss details of their traumatic events with the group in order to avoid cross traumatization of group members. This is an amazing opportunity to experience the healing power of EMDR in a safe group setting.
To submit a request to join, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 301-662-8800.
Interested in Learning more?
Our online resources can help you to understand, identify, and prevent abuse.