The Rachel Esther Myasthenia Gravis Foundation and Sunrise Counseling Center are pleased to announce that we are working together to offer the first Online MG Teenage Support Group in the country.

This support program will provide a safe environment for teenagers with MG to discuss their disease with peers under the guidance of a Supportive Coach. It is of great importance that young people who are diagnosed with any chronic disease have a strong support system in place. Our Myasthenia Gravis Teenage Support Group will provide teens with the coping skills necessary to meet the myriad challenges of MG.  A traditional support group is inaccessible to most teenagers with MG because they are few in number and live throughout the country. Thus, the online support group is an innovative way of solving this unique challenge.

Referral and Consideration for the Online MG Teenage Support Group
The Rachel Esther Myasthenia Gravis Foundation will be responsible for referring teenagers with MG to Sunrise Counseling Center and will send interested teenagers an information package. Participation in the group will require parental authorization for teenagers under eighteen. Sunrise Counseling Center reserves the right to grant or deny inclusion in this Group, as appropriate. This decision will be made at the sole discretion of Sunrise Counseling Center.

Group Membership
The group will be limited to the Supportive Coach, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and five individual teenagers with MG. The group will meet in an online conference setting once per month for one hour.

There is no instance in which the MG Teenage Support Group will be considered a psychotherapy group NOR will the Supportive Coach’s role in this group be considered that of a group psychotherapist.
Online support is not expected nor intended to treat more serious issues that would require face-to-face, formal psychotherapy. This issue will be addressed repeatedly during the group process by the Supportive Coach.

The need for any individual who participates in this group to be referred for formal psychotherapy will be discussed on a case-by-case basis by the Supportive Coach and the Director of Sunrise Counseling Center.

Fees
All fees will be paid for by the Rachel Esther Myasthenia Gravis Foundation.

Sharing of Information
The Rachel Esther Myasthenia Gravis Foundation and Sunrise Counseling Center will share between themselves the list of applicants and participating group members. This must be agreed to and signed by each group member as well as a parent or Legal Guardian if group member is under the age of 18 years old.

Confidentiality
Your right to confidentiality is defined and detailed in the Online MG Teenage Support Group Rights and Responsibilities Document.