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 Group sessions are confidential. Members and leaders are bound ethically and legally not to disclose the name of group members or the contents of the sessions in any way that could identify members of the group to others outside the group. Remember, we are building trust and safety.
Use "I" statements: Speak from your own experience by using "I" instead of "We", "you" and "us". We can only speak for how we feel, not how others feel.
Attend Faithfully: Your attendance is important not only for your healing but for others in the group as well. Call ahead to cancel.
Be on time: Being on time shows respect for the process and others.
Tolerance: Tolerance is acceptance. We must be accepting of our differences in order to grow and learn.
No bombshells: No dramatic, scintillating topics introduced just before the break or end of group process. It is disrespectful to others' recovery.
Breathe: Breathing allows us to feel our feelings and live. Balance, pause and meditate.
Listen: We have two ears and one mouth so listen twice as much as you speak. Effective communication requires both listening and sharing.
Do not give advice: Do not tell anyone what to do or how to feel. Let them discover their own process. Don't be afraid to share your feelings about their behavior or words. Just be careful not to become therapist.
No war stories: Do not get stuck in euphoric recall, glamorize, or romanticize about your addiction or life situation. If it were so great, we wouldn't be here.
No cross talk: Do not talk when someone else is sharing. Share your own experience when it is your time to do so.
No power plays: Be respectful. Do not get up and leave, use negative body language (roll the eyes, shake the head, etc.) when someone is sharing.
No rescuing: No touching, offering tissue or comfort when someone is sharing. Letting someone feel is a part of healing.
No intimacy between group members: It is unhealthy to the group if there is coupling between members. Do share contact information but not across gender lines.
No secrets: If someone is having a craving or is in relapse mode, please share it with the group. It takes the power out of it.
Expect and respect moments of silence: Quiet is a form or a process of seeking an answer.
AA Support Groups: Please remember that as therapy groups our groups may have some similarity to AA but are quite different. They are therapist led and do not follow the same structure, style and content of AA groups. Group members are encouraged to attend lay-led support groups to advance their treatment goals.
Permission to record: Recognize that for quality assurance, training purposes and review purposes group and individual sessions are recorded. Sessions that are recorded are made available to participants and supervisors. |
