How To Improve On A Good Thing
Starting with the Domestic Violence group that starts next week, I move to a drop-in model of peer support-
My goal with support groups for abuse survivors has always been to make them as accessible as possible. The groups are free. They are open to any female-identified person, regardless of diagnosis or situation*. They are LGBTQ affirmative and trauma-informed.
However, it occurred to me that I could make the peer support groups better and more trauma-informed if I were to go to a drop-in model. This idea came at the same time as folks were asking about attending but had a date conflict. As I work on my book on how to lead trauma-informed, peer support groups, going to a drop-in feels like the natural next step.
Thoughts from a few participants from a past peer support group.
A drop-in model means that attendance is not "strongly encouraged". Participants can come to one session in the series of six (or eight) or all. They may see the same folks at each meeting or new folks. Drop-in groups are more accessible because interested attendees don't need to wait long before joining. There is even less of a screening process, too, which may also help potential folks feel more comfortable. But the best reason of all is that drop-in groups give more power and control back to the survivor. All survivors needs more of that.
For everyone's comfort, privacy and safety, I will continue to keep location confidential. So I ask folks to reach out to me if they are interested in a group by clicking here. When they do, they share their name and email with me so I can contact them with group details. I can also answer any questions they have before they arrive at a group.
Thanks for reading and for your support.
*Groups are open to women who are far removed from their abuse and women whose abuse is more recent.
