California Baptist University’s Counseling Center recently started a support group called “Hiding from Love.” The group meets 4–6 p.m. Wednesdays at the Wellness Center.
Linda Bramel, marriage and family therapist intern, helps facilitate the group with Ruth Olson, a licensed marriage and family therapist.
“The purpose of the group is to discover how we are hiding from the love that is out there for us to receive,” Bramel said, “and then to learn how we need to take risks to find safe people to receive the love that we need.”
Bramel is helping with the group because “so many people are desiring to find love and can’t receive it” because of their own inhibitions.
The course is based on the book “Hiding from Love” by Dr. John Townsend. The sessions and workbook are free to CBU faculty, staff, students and their families.
Bramel said some signs that a person is hiding from love might be black-and-white thinking, feeling omnipotent in a relationship or being dependent. Addictions can also be a symptom.
“Anything that you fill the void with could be a reason you’re hiding from love,” Bramel said.
Those interested in attending should call the Counseling Center at (951) 689-1120.
