CHOOSING A SUPPORT GROUP
Whether you are a
professional considering groups for your clients, or a person simply
looking for a helpful group for yourself, you may wonder if a support group is
right for you. Let’s examine the choices from those two perspectives.
For the Person Seeking a Group
When looking for a support group, first
identify the source of your stress (e.g., the specific illness, addiction,
loss, etc.) and any special situation (being a caregiver, parent or friend of
the person with the problem). In addition to a group’s problem focus, there are
many other differences in the types of groups available. Some support groups
are member-run, while others have professional facilitators; some have a very
narrow focus while others are very broad; some are based upon either spiritual
or religious beliefs, while many are not; some are very structured while others
have little structure at all; some focus on emotional support, education or
advocacy, while others are more social. These differences may be important to
you, so the more you learn about a group, the better you will be able to choose
the right group for you.
Learn About a Group
Before Attending a Meeting The best information about a group comes from the group itself. Most
groups have a phone contact person who will answer any questions you have about
the group before you attend a meeting. Also, most groups have a national
website, brochure and other literature that describes their group’s purpose and
activities.
Questions You Might
Ask In addition to
finding out the meeting time and place, there are other questions you may want
to ask before attending. You might ask about the people in the group: do they
understand what you are going through because they have had similar
experiences? How many usually attend the meeting (more people means more
interest and energy, but less time for each member to share concerns)? What is
the ratio of men to women, or the age range of the members (if it makes a
difference to you)? You might inquire about any meeting formats and any costs
associated with joining the group.
The First Meeting You
Attend Once you
decide to attend a meeting, there are many aspects of the group you can learn
about first hand. One of the first impressions you’ll get about the group will
be how welcome you feel. Do people welcome you and introduce themselves to you?
Do they sit near you, smile at you and in general make
you feel like they are glad you’re there? How much mutual help occurs within
the group? Do people really help each other, or is it one or two people giving
advice to everyone else? If the group is led by a professional, why is he or
she leading the group, and what kind of leadership style does he or she exert?
If the members lead the group, how
is leadership decided upon? Is it rotated, shared among group members, or
limited to just one or two people? What other roles are assumed by group
members? How many people help to run the group? Again, a good match between
your needs and the group is what you’re seeking.
Another observation you can make has
to do with general group tone. Does it seem like the group is helpful to its
members? Do people seem glad to see each other? Is there positive energy? Humor? Honesty? Do people listen to
each other? Do they show concern, respect, understanding and acceptance?
Sometimes you will find a group
that’s perfect for you on the first try. Other times you may have to try
several types of groups or a different meeting of the same group before you’ve
found the best match. The bottom line is whether you feel the group meets your
needs. Finally, after you have chosen and benefited from a self-help group,
please consider staying for a while to “give back” and help others. Self-help
groups depend upon such volunteer efforts. Your volunteer efforts will not only
help others, but will most probably benefit you in terms of your own physical
and mental well-being.
FOR ProfessionalS SEEKING GROUPS FOR CLIENTS
For caring professionals who realize
that they cannot be all things to their clients, support groups are welcome
community resources that supplement professional assistance, and in so doing,
can help prevent professional burnout. Groups also provide support at times
when professional offices are closed, whether it is the actual meetings or the
phone support often available between meetings. Since the groups provide the
unique support of “others who have been there,” they can be especially helpful
for clients who feel alone and isolated with the stressful situation they face.
Groups provide a variety of other benefits: acceptance, positive role models,
normalization, coping skills, practical information, education, community,
sometimes a “program to work” as in 12-step groups, advocacy and even “helper
therapy” - the ability to help others in the group.
In providing a referral, a
professional can point out the potential value of a group. In actually making
the referral, it’s helpful to suggest to the client that they check out the
support group to “see if it is for you.” If the client has Internet access, and
if the local group is part of a national one, suggest they check out the
national website to learn more about the group. It’s often helpful to have the
brochures of particular groups that are most often referred to, since the group’s
brochure explains what the group offers and takes away the fear of the unk
Back