Questions Concerning . . . . . "Why join Relationship Support Group?"
Q: What is the purpose of the group?
A: Relationship Support Group is a place where women and men can explore a variety of issues and questions they have about dating and relationships. For example, why is it so difficult to find the right relationship, or how do I know if I'm in a healthy relationship, or how can I achieve more intimacy in my current relationship?
Q: How will this group help me if I am already in individual therapy?
A: Individual psychotherapy can be very beneficial but is not a substitute for exploring dating and relationship concerns with others on a similar journey. We believe individual therapy and Relationship Support Group complement each other and that by working together we can learn more than any one of us could ever learn on our own.
Questions Concerning . . . . .
"How The Group Works"
Q: Do I have to socialize with other members? What if I don't want to?
A: No one is obligated to socialize if they don't want to. Many of our members have lost their old network of friends to divorce or being widowed. Some members welcome meeting and socializing with new friends from the group who enjoy discussing dating and relationship issues.
Q: Since Relationship Support Group is not a therapy group, is there still confidentiality?
A: Absolutely. Even though we encourage members to socialize outside the group, we emphasize
the importance of keeping confidential everything that occurs during the group meetings.
Questions Concerning . . . . .
"Who Are Our Members?"
Q: Is the group for couples or individuals?
A: Relationship Support Group is for individuals, not couples. While we believe couples could benefit from being in a support group, we also believe that individuals can explore the many facets of their current or future relationships more comfortably knowing their partner is not in attendance.
Q: I am in a relationship and we both would like to attend. Can we come as two individuals?
A: Relationship Support Group is for individuals, not couples. While we believe couples could benefit from being in a support group, we also believe that individuals can explore the many facets of their current or future relationships more safely knowing their partner does not attend the group. Either partner is welcome to join the group.
Q: I am in a relationship. Since I am part of a couple, does that mean I cannot join Relationship Support Group?
A: No. Either partner is welcome to join the group. However, you and your partner may not both join.
Q: I am not currently in a relationship. Do I have to be in one to be in the group?
A: No. Relationship Support Group is for women and men whether or not they are currently in a relationship. We welcome individuals who may or may not be dating or in a relationship as well as those in a committed relationship, including marriage.
Q: I am engaged and want to learn how to make my marriage the best it can be. Is the group appropriate for me?
A: Yes. The issues, topics and discussions we have lend themselves to making your relationship and marriage the healthiest possible. We discuss the kinds of issues that frequently cause friction between partners and explore resolutions that bring couples closer together.
Q: I am recently divorced and don't feel ready to date. Do I have to be dating to be in the group?
A: No. Relationship Support Group is for men and women whether or not they are dating. We welcome individuals who may or may not be dating or in a relationship as well as those in a committed relationship, including marriage.
Q: How large is the group? Is there a limit on how many members can be in the group?
A: The maximum number of members in a group is around fifteen, give or take one or two.
Q: If the group is full how long will I have to wait to join?
A: Most of the time there are openings in the group. However, when the group is full generally there will be an opening in a very short time. When there is a waiting list people are called on a first come first served basis.
Questions Concerning . . . . . "How Much Does Relationship Support Group Cost?"
Each four-week series is $100. Registration with payment must be made prior to the first meeting.
Q: If each four-week series is $100, is the cost really $25 each week?
A: Not really. The fee is per series, not per week. Each four-week series is like a four-week class where you pay in advance for the entire class and not each week when the class meets.
Q: What if I don't continue after the 1 st meeting, is it still $100?
A: If after your first meeting you decide that Relationship Support Group is not the right support group for you, we will refund $65 - so the total cost if you attend only one meeting is $35 ($100 less the $65 refund).
Q: Do I have to stay in the group a minimum number of meetings?
A: Each series is four weeks long. You are welcome to stay in the group for as many four-week series as you would like.
Q: What if I miss a meeting, can I make it up later, say in the 5 th week?
A: Each series is four consecutive weeks long. If a meeting is missed it cannot be made up later.
Q: What if I miss a meeting, do I still have to pay $100 for the four-week series?
A: Each series is four consecutive weeks long and the cost is $100 for the four-week series.. If you plan to not attend all four meetings, you may elect to pay $35 for each meeting you attend or $100 for the series, whichever is less. If you only miss one meeting and attend three other meetings, your cost would still be $100 since that is less than paying $35 x 3 meetings which equals $105.
Q: What if I miss 2 meetings, do I still have to pay $100 for the four-week series?
A: Each series is four consecutive weeks long and the cost is $100 for the four-week series. However, if you know in advance that you will be missing 2 meetings in a four-week series you can elect to pay $35 for each meeting. For example, if you are about to begin a four-week series and you know that you will attend week 1, then miss weeks 2 and 3 because of a prior commitment, and will attend week 4 - simply pay $70 ($35 x 2 meetings) for weeks 1 and 4.
|
Week 1 |
Week 2 |
Week 3 |
Week 4 |
| Attendance |
Attended as Planned |
Absent as Planned |
Absent as Planned |
Attended as Planned |
| Amount Paid |
$35 |
$0 |
$0 |
$35 |
Q: What if I plan to miss more than 2 meetings but then my plans change and I don't miss any meetings - do I still have to pay $35 a meeting for a total of $140 for the four-week series?
A: Absolutely not. The fee is never more than $100 per four-week series even if you plan to miss some and end up missing only one or none at all. For example, if you are about to begin a four-week series and you plan to attend weeks 1 and 2, then miss weeks 3 and 4 because of a prior commitment, and unexpectedly end up attending week 4 - simply pay $70 ($35 x 2 meetings) for weeks 1 and 2 and then pay $30 for week 4 ($70 paid + $30 balance = $100).
|
Week 1 |
Week 2 |
Week 3 |
Week 4 |
| Attendance |
Attended as Planned |
Attended as Planned |
Absent as Planned |
Attended Unexpectedly |
| Amount Paid |
$70 |
Paid |
$0 |
$30 |
Q: What if I plan to miss the first meeting in the four-week series. Can I just skip that meeting and begin my four-week series the next week?
A: Once you join the group your first four-week series begins. You may not stop whenever you plan to not attend and then begin all over again when you plan to return to the group. You may only stop when you plan to leave the group which will leave an opening that may be filled by someone on the waiting list.
Q: What if a meeting falls on a Holiday and we don't meet, does that meeting count toward the four-week series?
A: Of course not. Only meetings where we actually meet with Rob Kaufman count toward your four-week series.
| Week 1 |
Week 2 |
Week 3 |
Week 4 |
Week 5 |
| 1st Meeting in Series |
2nd Meeting in Series |
Holiday (or Rob not available) |
3rd Meeting in Series |
4th Meeting in Series |
Q: What happens when Rob is ill or on vacation? Does the group meet without him and does that meeting count toward the four-week series?
A: No. Only meetings with Rob Kaufman count toward your four-week series. When Rob goes on vacation or is unable to attend a meeting for personal reasons that meeting does not count toward your four-week series. Usually the group does not meet when Rob is not available, but sometimes the group may decide to meet on their own, without Rob, maybe over dinner, for example, but that meeting does not count toward your four-week series.
Questions Concerning . . . . . "When Does The Group Meet?"
Q: Does the group meet any other night?
A: Tuesday is the only night the group meets and there are no plans to either change days or offer additional days.
Q: Does the starting time of the group ever change?
A: The starting time for the group is 7:00 pm and there are no plans to change it.
Questions Concerning . . . . . "Where Does The Group Meet?"
Q: Why meet in homes? Why not in an office like other groups?
A: The coziness and intimacy of a living room where members can bring food to share, kick off their shoes and curl up on couches lends itself to the kind of comfort and support most members prefer.
Q: Do I have to offer my home? What if I don't want to?
A: No one is obligated to offer their home. Only those who want to open up their living rooms to the group do so. Some members are not able to offer their home because they may have children around the house, or simply are not able to accommodate the group. Some members may not yet feel comfortable hosting the group. Whatever the reason, you never have to host the group if you do not want to.
Q: How is it decided where the meetings are held?
A: During the course of each meeting Rob asks the group who would like to offer his or her home for the next meeting. After one or more people volunteer their homes the group votes on which home to meet at and the majority rules.
Questions Concerning . . . . . "Who Facilitates the
Group Meetings?"
Q: Does anyone other than Rob Kaufman lead the group?
A: No, only Rob Kaufman.
Q: What happens if Rob is ill or goes on vacation?
A: In theory, the group meeting is canceled when Rob is not available. In reality, if Rob is ill one night or he is on vacation for a couple of weeks, the group may decide to meet on its own without Rob - maybe for a pool party, a BBQ or over dinner. Whatever the group decides, the meetings without Rob never count toward your four-week series.
Q: How much does Rob Kaufman know about dating and relationships?
A: Rob Kaufman, MSW is a Board Certified Psychotherapist - Licensed Clinical Social Worker - with over 25 years experience counseling groups, individuals, couples, and families struggling with divorce, dating, relationships, remarriage and step-families. He is married with a son from a previous marriage, two step-daughters, and grandchildren.
Q: What are Rob Kaufman's Educational Credentials to facilitate a relationship support group?
Education
| MSW (Master of Social Welfare) |
University of California, Los Angeles |
1986 |
| LLM (Master of Laws) |
Georgetown University Law Center |
1979 |
| JD (Juris Doctor) |
California Western School of Law |
1978 |
| BA (Bachelor of Arts) |
University of Southern California |
1973 |
Internships
UCLA NeuroPsychiatric Institute & Hospital (1985-1986)
Mental Retardation, Child Psychiatry
Pasadena Child Guidance Clinic (1984-1985)
Currently Pacific Clinics
Professional Experience
Divorce Dialogue - A Divorce Support Group
Founder, CEO & Facilitator
Since 1981
Private Practice
Since 1986
Aviva Family & Children's Services
Clinical Director
Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services
Social Worker
Instructor
University of Judaism (Wagner Program) - Parenting After Divorce
Everywoman's Village - Assertive Divorce
Learning Tree University - Couples Communication / Assertive Divorce
Santa Monica Community College (Extension) - Divorce Support Group
California State University, Los Angeles (Extension) - Assertive Divorce / Divorce Support Group
Professional Certifications
Board Certified Diplomate
American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work
Academy of Certified Social Workers
National Association of Social Workers
Qualified Clinical Social Worker
National Association of Social Workers
Diplomate in Clinical Social Work
National Association of Social Workers
Professional Memberships
American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work
California Society for Clinical Social Workers
National Association of Social Workers
Q: What is Rob Kaufman's Professional Experience?
Divorce Dialogue - A Divorce Support Group
Founder, CEO & Facilitator
Since 1981
Private Practice
Since 1986
Aviva Family & Children's Services
Clinical Director
Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services
Social Worker
Instructor
University of Judaism (Wagner Program) - Parenting After Divorce
Everywoman's Village - Assertive Divorce
Learning Tree University - Couples Communication / Assertive Divorce
Santa Monica Community College (Extension) - Divorce Support Group
California State University, Los Angeles (Extension) - Assertive Divorce / Divorce Support Group
Questions Concerning . . . . . "Joining Relationship
Support Group"
Q: How do I sign up for Relationship Support Group?
A: To register for Relationship Support Group call Rob Kaufman at (818) 788-9567.
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