Joslin Diabetes Center Group and Individual Support for Adults with Diabetes

Joslin Diabetes Center Group and Individual Support for Adults with Diabetes

Joslin Diabetes Center and Joslin Clinic
One Joslin Place
Boston, MA 02215
General Info and Appointments: (617) 732-2400
(800) JOSLIN-1
(800) 567-5461
E-mail: diabetes@joslin.harvard.edu

Couples Support Group
Helping Partners Understand about Living with Diabetes
This support/psychoeducational group is for men and women with diabetes and their partners. It will allow them to discuss and increase understanding about what it is like to live with diabetes as an individual, and as part of a couple. The program will provide suggestions and help them answer questions.
This group will be led by Marilyn Ritholz, Ph.D., Licensed Staff Psychologist
Space is Limited. Only 10 couples per session. Please call to reserve a space.
Call (617) 732-2594 for more information.

For Men and Women Ages 21-35
This support group is for people living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Topics include:
* Managing diabetes in your life
* Coping with blood glucose, fears, and frustration
* Coping with diabetes in relationships (friends, family and colleagues)
* Figuring out eating, exercise and body image
* Coping with disappointment, discouragement and distress
* Setting realistic goals
Groups will by led by Marilyn Ritholz, Ph.D., Licensed Staff Psychologist.
Private insurance and many managed care plans reimburse for this group, which is billed under mental health benefits as psychotherapy service.
Call (617) 732-2594 for more information.

For Men and Women Ages 30 - 50
This support group is for people living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Topics include:
* Managing diabetes in your life
* Coping with blood sugars, fears, and frustration
* Coping with diabetes in relationships (friends, family, and colleagues)
* Figuring out eating, exercise, and body image
* Coping with disappointment, discouragement, and distress
* Setting realistic goals
Groups will by led by Marilyn Ritholz, Ph.D., Licensed Staff Psychologist.
Call (617) 732-2594 for more information.

Individual Support
Individual appointments with a nurse educator, dietitian or exercise physiologist are available, as is pre-pregnancy and pregnancy counseling. Call (617) 732-2496 to schedule an appointment or to learn more. Counseling also available in Spanish and Chinese.

Young Women’s Diabetes Support Group
Ages 18-30
Are you between the ages of 18-30? Would you like to meet other young women who have diabetes? Through group discussion, you can share your experiences, gain support and understanding and improve your diabetes self-care. Joslin’s group program can help you explore the issues that are important to you and help you begin to make life changes. Themes often discussed include:
* Setting realistic goals
* Coping with diabetes in relationships
* Coping with your body image, food and exercise
* Coping with less than perfect sense of self
* Decreasing anxiety about complications
* Reducing fears of low blood glucose
* Staying on track during times of stress
Groups will be led by Marilyn Ritholz, Ph.D. She is a licensed psychologist who treats patients with diabetes.
Please call (617) 732-2594 for information.

Women’s Diabetes Support Group
Ages 25-45
Do you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes? Would you like to talk with other women about living with diabetes? Topics Include:
* Managing Diabetes in Your Life
* Coping with Blood Sugars, Fears and Frustrations
* Coping with Diabetes in Relationships (Family, Friends & Colleagues)
* Figuring Out Eating, Exercise and Body Image
* Coping with Disappointment, Discouragement and Distress
* Setting Realistic Goals
Groups will be led by Marilyn Ritholz, Ph.D., Licensed Staff Psychologist.
Please call (617) 732-2594 for information .

Latino Support Group
A support group run by a social worker in Spanish, who directs discussions on such topics as: strengthening family relationships, depression, finding hope, and taking control of change. Participants find comfort in the commonality of diabetes, their language, and the immigrant experience.
For more information, please call (617) 732-2490.

Children and Parents' Groups
Joslin offers Children and Parents' Groups to all Joslin Pediatric patients and their families. These programs provide multi-disciplinary care and support for the whole family. These programs are offered once a month, except during summer months. Each program includes supervised group activities for children and young siblings lead by a certified Child Life Specialist, while parents meet in a separate group discussion led by a family support specialist and a pediatric diabetes medical specialist. Families may schedule medical appointments in advance on program days.
For more information or to register, call (617) 732-2603.
Upcoming Parent's Group Topics
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 3:30, “School Plans”
Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 3:30, “Continuous Glucose Sensors”
Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 3:30, “Celiac Disease and Diabetes”
Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 3:30, “Continuous Glucose Sensors”