ASCA SM is an acronym for Adult Survivors of Child Abuse. ASCA SM is the Morris Center's support group program for survivors of child abuse.
Note: ASCA SM support groups in different cities often append their city name to the ASCA SM acronym. For example, the ASCA SM group in New York City is called ASCA SM-NYC.
ASCA SM's purpose is to assist adult survivors of child abuse in moving-on with their lives. In the program, gentle encouragement and support is used to transform an individual's self-identity from victim, to survivor, to thriver.
ASCA SM was created with the intention that all members of the survivor community, irrespective of
their financial situation, have access to a superior program for recovery.
Note: The Morris Center does not charge a fee for individual participation or for downloading program materials.
ASCA SM is supported solely through private donations and receives no government funding.
While ASCA SM is a self-help program that does incorporate "steps", the psychological model used for healing was developed specifically for child abuse survivors. This model utilizes a three-stage Recovery Framework containing 21 steps.
A Note About ASCA SM and Healing
Each person will often be dealing with several aspects of a stage to varying degrees at any given time. Progress through a stage more often resembles an upward moving spiral rather than a straight line.
This process brings both greater strength and insight. Reworking various aspects and tasks associated with each stage occurs naturally as a person gains greater awareness, focus, and security.
Movement through the program provides the indiviual (survivor) ever greater abilities to experience pain from the past and move on to achieving the life he or she deserves (thriver).
ASCA SM began with an advertisement in the San Francisco Recovery Journal (no longer published) in February of 1993. The ad asked for volunteers from the survivor community to work with Dr. Patrick Gannon in developing a new, psychologically-based, self-help program for adult survivors of child abuse.
Approximately thirty survivor volunteers responded to the ad. Program development meetings were held regularly over the the next 3 months. The first-ever ASCA SM meeting was held at UCSF in May of 1993 with more than 85 people in attendance.
ASCA SM has been constantly evolving since its inception. Research and participant feedback has allowed ASCA SM to become increasingly more powerful and effective for the individuals, groups, and organizations who utilize the program.
The Morris Center is the not-for-profit organization that developed the ASCA SM program. The center provides support through meeting facilitator training, new group development, web site maintenance, and dissemination of program materials.
Yes, The Morris Center does accept contributions. Contributions are the only source of funding for the ASCA SM program. You can make a contribution online or by mail via the link and information on our Contribute to ASCA SM page.
The United Way keeps a good list of local resources, including meetings that may be helpful, such as Survivors of Incest Anonymous and Incest Survivors Anonymous.Or consider starting an ASCA SM meeting in your area!
Yes you can. ASCA SM meetings have been started by people who could not find one in their area.
Note: The Morris Center offers facilitator training in both San Francisco and New York City. This service is also provided by telephone if necessary. All of the materials you will need may be downloaded from our Meetings Resources page.
No, you do not. ASCA SM meetings were designed to be run by either professionals or co-facilitators. Most ASCA SM meetings are community-based and are run by a pair of co-facilitators. None of the participants serve in a professional capacity during these meetings.
A meeting script is used to ensure a safe sharing environment. No one is allowed to offer any analysis, diagnosis, or advice to other participants.
Note: ASCA SM meetings are designed to provide a safe vehicle where people come to share their feelings and thoughts about their journey to recovery.
You can begin by viewing our ASCA SM Oureach page. It provides a quick overview for starting ASCA SM group meetings.
You can also start by going directly to our Meeting Resources page. All of the materials you will need are available via the File Access Login link on this page.
Other helpful information on the Meeting Resources page includes:
Meeting Tour (PowerPoint or audio file) – demonstrates how a meeting is conducted
ASCA SM Meeting Resources Guide – provides information on which essential files you will need and how to access and download them
Note: The minimal information we require for login will not be used to send unsolicited e-mail and will never be given to or sold to any 3rd party.
We use this information to:
Provide timely contact and follow-up assistance if needed (optional)
Create and evolve content that is of the greatest use to our visitors using pertinent follow-up information
Focus further updates and development on our most often used files utilizing follow-up information
The Survivor to Thriver Manual is an essential workbook in the ASCA SM program. It is is used both independently or in Step Work meetings. The manual can be downloaded from this site's Survivor to Thriver Manual page.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about ASCA SM or The Morris Center.
Please Note: ASCA does not provide crisis counseling or abuse reporting services. Please use the following link if you require this information: Help Line and Reporting Links