Women's empowerment group offers classes for women in Warwick

Warwick - As women, mothers and wives, we all do it. We put everyone’s needs before our own. But at the end of the day, to be loving, effective and happy, we have to pay attention to our own health, both mental and physical. Patricia O’Keefe Seeberg, a licensed certified social worker, and Heather Galloway, a licensed mental health counselor and certified school psychologist, are offering a six-part Women’s Empowerment Group series beginning Friday, Sept. 28, and continuing every other Friday for the next five sessions. The first session, “Putting Yourself First”, may strike a chord with many. “We’ve been socialized to believe that putting ourselves first means we are being selfish, a quality that has been looked down upon, particularly for women,” Seeberg and Galloway said. “However, when you’re constantly depleting your physical and mental energy to meet the needs of others, not only do you not leave anything for yourself, but you are actually doing them a disservice as well.” By ignoring your emotional, spiritual and physical needs, they said, you will find yourself more short-tempered, less compassionate and less patient. Subsequent topics include A Matter of Perspective: Clearing the lens in which we view the world and our lives (week 2); Forgiveness: Letting go anger in order to forgive (week 3); Living without Fear: Choosing love and trust over fear and doubt (week 4); The Power of Intention: Creating one’s life with the use of intention and attention (week 5); and: Discovering Your Truth—Following your heart’s desire (week 6). In week two, A Matter of Perspective, the facilitators will discuss the message of “should.” We “should” be doing things this way or we “should” look that way. To become more fulfilled and live life more joyfully, we have to stop living according to these “shoulds,” they said. Women wishing to participate in the group, which will be held from 7 p.m. until 8:15 p.m. at 17 River Street, should contact Seeberg at 845-986-3433. The cost of the six-week session is $150.