Jewish Family Services

Support Groups

All JFS support groups and therapeutic groups are facilitated by a licensed professional. Many groups are offered at no charge. Any group for which there is a charge is offered on a sliding-fee scale, and no one is ever denied service due to an inability to pay.

Unless otherwise noted, all groups meet at JFS Dallas (5402 Arapaho Rd, Dallas, 75248).

Groups Currently Meeting

Abuse Support Group (Women)
For women who have been impacted by abuse on Mondays at 3 p.m. This group is for women who have experienced familial abuse on any level by any family member. This group is facilitated by a female counselor. For more information regarding this support group, please contact Ariela Goldstein, LCSW, coordinator of family violence intervention services at 972.437.9950.

Breast Cancer Support Group (Women)
(Three Groups. No charge for any group.) For women who have had a diagnosis of breast cancer at any time in their lives. 1 )This group meets the third Monday of every month 7 to 9 p.m. at the Jewish Family Service office, 5402 Arapaho Road, one block east of the Dallas North Tollway. 2) This group meets the second Monday of every month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El. 3) This group meets the third Tuesday of every month 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Congregation Adat Chaverim, 6300 Independence Parkway, #A, Plano. For more information on any of the groups, please contact Beth Broodo at 972.437.9950 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Learn more about: Individual Counseling for Breast Cancer Survivors

Caregivers Support Group
For spouses, adult children, and other family members coping with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s or other conditions requiring long-term care. This group meets the third Wednesday of every month at 6:45 p.m. For more information, please contact Don Dillard at 972.437.9950 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Caregivers Support Group at Legacy Willow Bend
For all family caregivers, this group, facilitated by an elder-care professional, will help you learn how to best care for your loved one—and yourself. Please join us for discussion and support. Third Tuesday of every month, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Legacy at Willow Bend, 6101 Ohio Drive, Plano. No RSVP required. No Charge. For more information—including the locations and times of other support groups for family caregivers—please contact Debi Weiner, LCSW at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 972.437.9950.

Caregivers Support Group at Temple Emanu-El
For all family caregivers, this group, facilitated by an elder-care professional, will help you learn how to best care for your loved one—and yourself. Please join us for discussion and support. Second Tuesday of every month, 12 to 1:30 p.m. Temple Emanu-El (8500 Hillcrest Ave,  Dallas, 75225). No RSVP required. No Charge. For more information—including the locations and times of other support groups for family caregivers—please contact Debi Weiner, LCSW at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 972.437.9950.

Children of Divorce Support Group (Teens)
This groups is for teenage girls and boys whose parents are divorced or currently in the process of separating or divorcing. For more information, including dates and times, contact Ariela Goldstein at 972.437.9950. (No email please.)

Chronic Pain Support Group
For those who are dealing with physical conditions involving chronic pain, and their loved ones, this group meets the first Wednesday of each month, 7:15 to 9 p.m. For more information, please contact Sue Reed at 972.437.9950 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Divorce Recovery: Co-Ed
For divorced men and women of all ages, and those in the process of divorcing, this group meets weekly, 6 to 7:30 p.m. New members must pre-register by calling intake at 972.437.9950. There is a cost for the group, but it is assigned on a sliding fee scale. For more information, please contact Gay McAlister at 972.437.9950.

Employment Networking Group for Individuals Unemployed for Less Than One Year
Jewish Family Service professional staff works with newly unemployed people to help them understand the job market; prepare, organize and execute a successful search; identify transferable skills for new career options; and manage the trauma of losing a job. Weekly, Mondays from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Mitch Jacobs at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or 972.437.9950.

Employment Networking for Individuals Age 50+
Jewish Family Service professional staff provides meaningful and aggressive networking sessions to help participants address the challenge of "What do I do now?" as a job seeker with extensive employment history and/or life experience. Every Monday from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Allison Harding at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or 972.437.9950.

Employment Networking Group for Women Age 50+ (Women)
JFS professional staff and/or guest facilitators provide a safe environment for meaningful and aggressive networking sessions, specifically designed for women 50+ years old. Discussions will focus on helping you understand the job market and how it relates to you, prepare, organize and execute a successful search, identify transferable skills for new career options, and move beyond the trauma of losing a job. Every Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Tenessee Nielsen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 972.437.9950.

Employment Resource Group
This program, which meets on the second Tuesday evening of each month offers an award-winning, no-cost networking forum. Featured speakers address important career topics. Contact Camille Kramer at 972.437.9950 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Employment Networking Group for Veterans
With a focus on helping individuals secure jobs in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, this group will support veterans in their efforts to successfully match their experience and skills to job openings within the civilian community. Led by Don Carter, a veteran and JFS employment specialist, veterans will learn how to prepare for interviews, connect with employers who are actively hiring veterans and adapt to new work environments. Mondays, 10 a.m. Jewish Family Service, 5402 Arapaho Rd. No charge.

Grandparents: Support for Jewish Grandparents with Grandchildren Living in Interfaith Homes
For Jewish grandparents wondering how to best interact with a grandchild living in an interfaith home. This group addresses the many complexities, sensitivities, conflicts, and potential struggles grandparents might face. The group meets the second Monday of each month, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Jewish Family Service, 5402 Arapaho Road, one block east of the Dallas North Tollway. For more information, including cost, contact Suzy Davidsohn at 972.437.9950 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Grief Support Group
For adults of any age who have suffered a loss through death. The six-week session is offered four times a year at various synagogues. For more information, please contact Deborah Leibensberger at 972.437.9950 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Grief Support, Too
For adults of any age who have suffered a loss through death and have previously attended some type of workshop on grief / loss. The group meets the third Tuesday of the month, noon to 1 p.m. For more information, please contact Deborah Leibensberger at 972.437.9950 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Men's Group
This process-oriented therapy group covers a wide assortment of issues affecting men including interpersonal relationships, family conflict & violence, parenting, dealing with unpleasant feelings, coping with anger, abusive experiences, and living an honorable life. This group provides an opportunity for people to gain insight, self-awareness, and behavioral skill and practice. The group meets weekly - Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pre-registration is required. For more information, please contact Mike Ligocki, PhD at Jewish Family Service 972.437.9950 (ext. 307).

Parenting for Divorcing or Recently Divorced Parents
In this “Intelligent Divorce Course,” each separated or divorced parent learns how to maintain healthy communication with his/her spouse and how to help their children through the difficult time of the parents’ divorce. Contact Yolanda Swope at 972.437.9950 or Ariela Goldstein at 972.437.9950 (No email please).

Social Skills Groups
Our licensed professionals facilitate Social Skills groups for children and adolescents, to help them learn to navigate the world of their feelings and relationships. Contact Ariela Goldstein at 972.437.9950 (No email please).

Social Skills for Teen Boys with Special Needs
This group will address the unique needs of teenage boys with emotional or psychological special needs. The group will focus on making and keeping friendships and appropriate social interaction. For more information, including dates and times, please contact Ariela Goldstein, LCSW at 972.437.9950.

Social Skills for Teen Girls with Special Needs
This group will address the unique needs of teenage girls with emotional or psychological special needs. The group will focus on making and keeping friendships and appropriate social interaction. For more information, including dates and times, please contact Ariela Goldstein, LCSW at 972.437.9950 (No email please).

Parents of Children with Special Needs Support Group
Led by JFS Special Needs Resource Team members Alaina Cordina, Special Needs School and Family Liaison, and team member Lacey Laude, the group will focus on a variety of topics, with a goal of providing support for parents of children with special needs. Free childcare is available; please call prior to the group meeting to ensure that the most appropriate care is available to support your child and family's needs. The group meets Wednesday, semi-monthly at JFS from 6:30 - 8 p.m. For more information about this support group or the Special Needs Resource Team, please contact Malkie Schick, LMSW, clinical social worker at JFS at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Support Group for Children Coping with Divorce or Loss
This group targets the needs of children who have suffered through a loss of some type, whether by divorce or death. It is also for children whose parents are in the process of separation or divorce. Contact Ariela Goldstein at 972.437.9950. (No email please.)

Support Group for Children Whose Parents are Chronically or Terminally Ill
For children who are impacted by the illness and/or impending death of a parent, this group provides support and help in the development of coping strategies. Contact Ariela Goldstein at 972.437.9950. (No email please.)

Support Group for Siblings of the Emotionally, Physically, Psychologically, or Learning Disabled
This group, facilitated by a licensed professional, is for children whose siblings require special attention because of emotional, physical, psychological, or learning disabilities. Contact Ariela Goldstein at 972.437.9950 (No email please).

Therapeutic Group for 2-Year-Olds
For 2-year-olds who have been a victim of, or exposed to, family violence. For more information, please contact Ariela Goldstein at 972.437.9950. (No email, please.)

Therapeutic Group for Children Affected by Abuse
For children who are currently facing any type of abuse against themselves or a family member, or have in the past, our professional staff helps the children learn to manage their feelings and develop coping behaviors. Contact Ariela Goldstein at 972.437.9950. (No email, please.)

Groups in the Process of Forming

The groups listed below will be meeting in the future. Please contact the individuals listed for more information or to register for the group.

Adoptive Parents
This group is for individuals or couples who are in the process of adopting or have already adopted a child and would like to learn more about the unique issues and joys of adoptive parents. For more information, contact Ariela Goldstein, 972.437.9950. (No email, please.)

Boys 10-12 Years Old, Social Skills
This group is for boys who have difficulty interacting appropriately with peers. Behaviors include difficulty keeping friends, being shy or anxious with others, invading people’s personal space, or appearing socially awkward. The group will meet on Mondays 5 to 6 p.m., beginning on October 26, 2009. Cost, $20 per week. For more information, or to sign up, please contact Gretchen Ladd, PhD at 972.437.9950 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Breast Cancer Survivors Focused on Wellness
For breast-cancer survivors who want to share information about mind, body, and spiritual wellness. For more information, please contact Beth Broodo at 972.437.9950 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Girls: Early Adolescence
For girls ages 12 - 15 want to “find their voice” and to share and understand their lives. The group will provide a space to be heard, to hear others, and to discover healthy ways to understand and manage the challenges of this special time. For more information, please contact Malkie Schick at 972.437.9950 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Girls: Middle Adolescence
For girls ages 15 - 17 who want to explore the special challenges of this time in life, and discover healthy ways to understand and manage them. For more information, please contact Tanya Morshed at 972.437.9950 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
This group is for any grandparent who is raising or helping to raise a grandchild. The group’s mission is to provide support to one another, share resources, and develop insights about oneself. Cost: $20 per session, sliding-fee scale available. For more information, contact Ariela Goldstein, 972.437.9950 (No email, please).

Grief Support
For adults of any age who have suffered a loss through death. The six-week session is offered four times a year at various synagogues. For more information, please contact Deborah Leibensberger at 972.437.9950 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Mother / Daughter Workshop
The goal of “Weaving Webs of Womanhood” is to strengthen families by helping elementary-school-aged daughters develop a strong identity, healthy mother-daughter relationship, self-esteem, and leadership skills. Contact Janelle Gibson at 972.437.9950 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Learn more about:
Individual Counseling for Breast Cancer Survivors