Psycho-educational Support Group for those whom have been affected by cults or extremists groups
Dear Friends,
The Family Survival Trust invites you to our online psycho-education support group meeting, via Zoom. We meet in a group for a presentation and group discussion.
A one-to-one introductory meeting is required for anyone who would like to attend the group sessions.
More information below; feel free to contact us if there’s anything else you’d like to know or if you’d like to arrange an introductory meet.
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Introduction Meeting
If you would like to attend a session and haven't had an introduction chat with us over Zoom yet, please get in touch so we can arrange that.
In our chat we'll get to test any technical concerns related to Zoom, discuss the group sessions and introduce ourselves.
Given the sensitivity of the subject matter this meeting is necessary for all prospective participants. It is an opportunity to ask any questions, consider the appropriate use of these sessions and it usually takes around 30mins or less.
The zoom link for these meetings is sent, once we’ve had this introduction, by email on the morning of the meeting.
Meeting structure
When we meet we'll agree the terms of confidentiality at the start of each session.
After introducing ourselves, There will be an educational presentation on a topic related to the psychology of coercive control and recovery. This will form the basis for sharing related experiences in a reflective group discussion.
We usually have a brief comfort break around half-way through the session.
After the support group meeting some people choose to continue conversation and socialise in a non-facilitated and more informal way (usually in the pub/Zoom-room).
Timings
The Zoom meeting room will be open from around 6.30pm, so that you can arrive early if you want to check equipment, meet others, and/or settle in before the session starts - just as we might do in a geographical location.
The 2 hour support group session will start promptly at 7pm, finishing at 9pm; to avoid disruption, no late entry please.
If you need to exit the meeting before the end, for any reason, please let the meeting Host/Facilitator know.
Environment
For our Zoom meetings please ensure that your environment is safe, comfortable, non-distracting, and unlikely to be overheard/witnessed by non-participants.
Confidentiality
In the interests of confidentiality, for everyone involved, there is a very strong emphasis not to record anything related to these meetings. Given the sophistication of modern technology & surveillance we cannot guarantee this adhered to.
When a meeting is held under Chatham House Rules, as ours are, participants are free to use the information disclosed during the meeting but the source of that information may not be explicitly or implicitly identified.
Communication
During the sessions there is no obligation to say anything you don't want to, and you're encouraged to take care of yourself in this regard.
Facilitators may interrupt on occasion, usually this is to give enough time for everyone to speak or to bring the subject back to the topic, and sometimes the facilitator may make space and invite anyone who hasn’t had a chance to speak yet.
We find it best to be patient, sensitive and non-judgemental to the unique journey, recovery and experiences of every attendee, without offering unsolicited advice or labels.
Technology
Zoom is a free app/tool for video-conference, available on laptop/pc/tablet/smartphone. Tablets/mobiles may require a free app & account whilst other laptops/computers may be able to join via web browser without an account/app. A paid Zoom subscription is not required for participants.
To attend you'll need a device with a web camera & microphone (standard on many devices) as well as a reliable internet connection. Web cameras must be kept on by all group participants.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Who can attend?
This group is made available to people affected by a wide variety of cults and extremist/exploitative groups (eg political, therapy, religious/spiritual, business, sports - among others) in various roles (eg former members, family of members, those who support former members etc).
We have a collective of volunteer facilitators who have personal and/or educational experiences in this area, are all former members of cults and take turns to lightly facilitate these sessions. Often some of these individuals will attend as participants in their own right.
How does the group support its members?
Attendees often report to find this group process to be helpful, at an appropriate stage of their journey, for contextualising experiences and understanding the dynamics of such abusive groups.
However this is not a therapy nor counselling group and as such is not supported in that way.
Hearing and sharing of personal experience can be an illuminating and validating resource for mutual support. Sometimes discussions can be unexpectedly unsettling and then you may want to arrange your own extra support outside the group.
Is there a cost?
We do not charge, but a donation of £5 or more is appropriate. However, if your circumstances do not permit this please do not hesitate to attend.
We are a small charity of limited resources, staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers. Donations enable us to continue our work and can be made when booking your place or afterwards via our Eventbrite event listings using the ticket/donation facility:
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-family ... 8774911807How do I give feedback?
We're interested in making these meetings interactive and valuable to you. This is helped by having your requests for particular discussion topics/themes among other suggestions, queries or feedback - please do share those thoughts with us (by email, in the group, or one-to-one).
Mailing List
Our newsletters, announcements and reminders about our events are sent out by email.
The zoom link for these meetings is sent, once we’ve had an introduction meeting, by email on the morning of the meeting.
Please confirm if you’d like to be on our mailing list to receive these emails - you can unsubscribe/resubscribe at any time
If you know anyone for whom this group might be appropriate please ask them to get in touch with us by email at
thefamilysurvivaltrustuk@gmail.com or contact us via our facebook page.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Warm Regards,
The Family Support Group co-facilitators
Contact:
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/The-Family-Surv ... 5528082741Email:
thefamilysurvivaltrustuk@gmail.comWeb:
http://www.thefamilysurvivaltrust.org/Event listings/booking/donations:
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-family ... 8774911807