Questions from Guests

[JigsawAnalogy]

Yes, you can help to shape the information on this board, even if you don't want to join it!

This is the place to ask questions, and to ask people to post about something you'd like help with (for instance, if you're looking for information about amusing child parts while you're at work, you could make a request here, and then someone might feel inspired to write about that sooner!)

So feel free to ask for information and suggestions. I think what would make the most sense at that point is for someone to post here, but also copy the information into the appropriate section elsewhere on the board.

[gwhelchel]

I am a licensed professional counselor and I work with many people who have borderline personality disorder and many who have different dissociative disorders.

I would like to create a group in which 8-10 people could come together and learn about and/or explore together things that would be helpful.

I would love any ideas you might offer...suggestions...thoughts...cautions...etc.

Gloria Whelchel, LPC

[Battle_Weary]

Are you thinking of a groups in "3d", or an internet group? My ideas/suggestions are different depending on which type of group!

[JigsawAnalogy]

Whether it's online or in person, I tend to relate best to therapists who accept that I am an equal partner in the healing process. I might not have all of the necessary skills, but I generally have good insight into what I need. I haven't done as well with therapists who are certain that they know more about what's going on for me than I do.

You probably already know that, but I figure it bears repeating.

[gwhelchel]

I have much to learn and totally realize that clients have much to teach me!

I'm thinking of a 3D group meeting for about 2 hours weekly for maybe 12 weeks. Then maybe starting new with a new group and having an advanced group if there is enough interest.

I'm thinking of offering an environment in which limited sharing could happen (I don't want to trigger others while one shares the gory details). I'm thinking of offering containment and grounding and mindfulness exercises along with psychoeducational information. So the group might look like what I've written below but I'm totally open to suggestions. I've never led this type of group. I've led DBT groups which would be the closest. This group is definitely under construction!

Open with a check in.
Mindfulness grounding exercise.
Sharing success from week using previously learned skill.
Homework review
Break
New teaching - probably DBT skills
Hands on learning - role play, art/collage, etc.
Question - What did I learn from today & how do I want to use it this next week.

[JigsawAnalogy]

Do you have clients who are looking for a group, or are you designing the group and then looking for people to serve? If you already have clients who are looking for a support group, they'd probably have ideas about what it is they want to get out of the group.

[Battle_Weary]

One thing I suggest is to be careful with the word "mindfulness". Recently there was a thread about mindfulness on a board I go to that is more a support forum than in information forum (like this one). The thread was a pretty clear indication that many with DID seem to fear that particular term. It seems to bring up all kinds of conceptual ideas, including meditation, self-hypnosis, and dissociation. The general feeling seems to be "We dissociate very well, thank you very much". Grounding however, has the opposite effect...it seems that most at that particular forum are very interested in grounding.