Families of SOs Community Group

WE HAVE MOVED!!! ............................. ............................... ......................... ............................ ............................. .......................... HERE: http://support-for-families.boards.net ............. ................ ............... ................ ............................... .................Please create a profile...

1,307 Members

11,281 Posts

0 Online

goalone 02/16/2015

I am being asked to start a real support group (currently there is a mandatory one, run by the PO and group therapists). I have a background in counseling, addiction, and couples. I would not have children in the group. This would be adult family members, wives, husbands, support people. It would meet 1 or 2 a month. What do you think would be a helpful format? Just venting, loose topics (like AA) or more like a class in support, meditation, communication etc. I have asked the people that want me to do this, but they each want something different. So I thought I would poll a larger group.

Just to be clear, this is asking for what you would find helpful in this type of group... I am not organizing a group here online nor am I trying to sell my services.... I am just a partner to an SO like a lot of you here.

tearsforson2 02/16/2015

Coping skills would probably be helpful. 12 steps are also helpful, it would be nice to cater the 12 steps to dealing with what we go through on our daily basis.

wisconsinrsol 02/16/2015

You know, I think you might find some good resources in the TX RSOL group... They have been running in person support groups there for a few years and have a good format that they are using so that it doesn't turn in to one big bitch session rather than a support group. I don't recall the leaders of those groups but I know the Director of the RSOL program down there knows as they are part of her group.

I think teaching meditation, communication and problem resolution techniques would be helpful to many, as they get so angry that they lose focus. I think that all can be incorporated into a group setting as I believe that they all build on each other too.

Not sure if coping mechanisms can be taught, but they would be good, how to meditate through a panic attack, how to talk yourself down from getting in a fight, how walking away is more powerful than confrontation. Teaching on how to handle anger and evaluate how much good it will do you to blow up rather than talking things out, getting your point across and if things get really bad how to walk away gracefully. But is that counseling or behavioral training?

ThoughtAsWeak 02/16/2015

That's a wonderful idea GoAlone. I would recommend a format like AA or Celebrate Recovery.

EchoMoon 02/16/2015

actually you could cover all the bases that you spoke of. each thing is a good point. do a month or so on each subject.

have homework assignments where they could look up and at various laws, a Q & A afterward with a loose discussion.

Peekachu 02/16/2015

I think the most important skill is the meditation. The reason I say this is because there is so much scientific evidence for the effects of mindfulness meditation, in particular, strengthening key parts of the brain that support you in staying on an even keel. If someone has more ability to manage their emotions, then the coping strategies will stick better and be more useful. If you are not a meditator, you may find someone who knows how to teach it to open your sessions. I think that would be very powerful.

sadsong44 02/16/2015

I think a support group would be great. The PO and counseling are contracted by Probation and don't really care at all for the family. Many of the suggestions here are great.

westdenali 02/16/2015

I like the idea. How do we go about this in our own city? I would be willing to start a group like this. I agree with using the 12 step.

It seems they have support groups for everything under the sun so why not this?

I like it....

Join the Conversation