Specialty Programs

Please Note: HUGS will not meet on 12/24.

 

Support Groups Available to Public

In partnership with others, Portage Path makes the following programs available to the community at our facilities.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other to facilitate their recovery from alcoholism.

AA is available at Portage Path’s Akron location every Tuesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA)

Dual Recovery Anonymous is a group open to anyone recovering from dual disorders. This group offers a safe place to share and learn with others. DRA meets at Portage Path’s Akron location on Monday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

NAMI staff visit several Portage Path programs monthly to provide information on how they assist those experiencing mental illness to live fuller, more satisfying lives.

H.U.G.S. Group

H.U.G.S, formally known as Survivors is a self-help support group for people who have lost someone to suicide. Participants can gain comfort and understanding from others who know first-hand what it’s like to experience this kind of loss and is dedicated to helping people cope with their loss.

This group meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Portage Path Behavioral Health at 340 S. Broadway St. in Akron. The meeting for Decemeber 24th, 2025 is CANCELLED.

For more information on the suicide survivors group, call Amanda Marunich, LPCC-S at 330-434-1214, extension 4106 or email HUGS@portagepath.org

Specialty Programs

Sex Offender

This court-ordered sex offender program seeks to keep our communities safer by providing treatment to male sex offenders with the goal of changing behaviors and reducing the rate of recidivism.

The program is for men who have sexually abused a child, admit to having sexually abused a child, have been adjudicated by the court and are referred by their community supervision officer. The program is conducted by Dr. Avery Zook.

The main areas of treatment include recognizing and interrupting thoughts that lead these clients to offend, managing deviant sexual fantasies, building a strong support system, maximizing work capabilities, establishing a positive, stable housing situation and developing a relapse prevention/good life plan.

The hub of treatment is a weekly two-hour group, supplemented by psychological testing and individual psychotherapy sessions. To successfully complete the program, men typically participate for two to three years. Members are treated respectfully and given support while being expected to make changes in their lives to continue in the program.

For more information on the Sex Offender Treatment Program, call Dr. Avery Zook at 330-745-0081.