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'Harmony' Support GroupsWe currently run several support groups which accept most referrals which we get over the internet and from word of mouth. Our support groups are all facilitated by experienced and clinically qualified mental health professionals who have wide experience in the treatment of anxiety and depression. Many of our current facilitators have personally experienced either panic disorder or depression or both, and we therefore have a personal understanding of anxiety and depression, apart from our professional or clinical knowledge. In addition to support groups, some of us run formal anxiety and depression clinics in our private practices as well. Newcomers arrive at our groups, either after speaking to one of us personally prior to the meeting, or they 'just walk in through the door'. We encourage people to make contact with us first so that they then feel more grounded and perhaps less daunted at being part of a strange group. We take great care in making newcomers feel welcome and while we obviously would encourage participation, no-one is ever pressured into talking. In the case of newcomers, we specifically tell them that they are welcome to just sit and listen and not say anything. This takes the pressure off them. In our experience, many newcomers do wind up talking during their first meeting, particularly when they identify with things being discussed in the group. Newcomers are welcome to bring a carer/support person to the session. The conduct of the group is informally formal. What do we mean by this? The group is an informal group, but there are certain core formal conditions which we insist upon, as well as some other general group rules which we encourage. Core Conditions and General Group RulesOur core formal conditions are simple and adherence to these core conditions is a condition of acceptance into the group. A. ConfidentialityOur groups require that each new member undertake to keep confidential everything that goes on in the group. Obviously there is no way to enforce confidentiality but whenever a new person joins the group, each member of the group as well as the new member makes a public pledge of confidentiality. B. RespectfulnessWe insist that people speak respectfully to one another and we do not allow insults, foul language or any vindictiveness directed by one group member at another member. (We are not saying we do not allow foul language - people are totally free to say what they want in the expression of their feelings and in the sharing of their lives with the group). If confidentiality and respectfulness is fostered and maintained, the group environment becomes a safe environment in which much healing can take place. We also encourage people to become comfortable in following the kinds of approaches we take in our groups and newcomers soon get to understand what the group is all about and are encouraged to learn to speak from the heart as opposed to the head. Following is the kind of approach we encourage - they normally would be known as Group Rules but we do not hold them as rules as such - they are just suggestions which make communication smoother and more meaningful during sessions. Within this framework, our evenings are informal and off-the-cuff and are run along 2 basic formats - once again, try not to read the following as concrete processes. They aren't. We are listing them here for prospective people to get a general idea but we do not run regimented groups. Our groups are warm, open and easy-going. Group Activity Formats - content/processThe format of content or process of the groups is often decided on an ad-hoc basis, depending upon the dynamics of the group, the stability of the membership and what is encountered during the sessions. 1. Didactic: Content-focussed.There is a structured psycho-educational component which relies heavily on cognitive behavioural therapy. We offer this in our support groups since this approach is most consistent with current approaches and is well-known as the gold-standard approach to the anxiety and mood disorders.
Topics discussed include:
2. Experiential: Process-focussed Often groups, particularly well-integrated or cohesive groups, begin to focus more on process and less on content and the groups then follow a group therapeutic format in which process is central. This approach is offered in the groups only where an experienced group facilitator or experienced group therapist is facilitating the group. How Each Evening is ConductedEach evening takes the following format. There is a formal 'check-in' at the beginning of each meeting when each member has about 2 minutes to talk of his/her week - what went on and how they feel. During the check-in, nobody responds, and each person is heard in turn. Thereafter, we have tea and biscuits and members socialise among themselves for about 10 minutes. We then open the floor to anyone who wants to talk and members are encouraged to listen respectfully and in silence to the person doing the talking. Responses are encouraged to take the form of responding with 'I' statements such as, 'I heard you say ...' or 'I feel/felt ... as I heard you talk' or 'my own experience has been ...' or 'I didn't feel that I understood you бн'. We discourage advice-giving, other than members talking about what has been personally useful for themselves. About 10 or 15 minutes before the session is due to end (depending upon the number of members and the dynamics of the group that evening), we then have a 'check-out' to reflect upon what has gone on in the evening. This can be a reflection in general terms but also can take a 6 phase formal structure, again depending upon the course of the evening. The phases are self evident and need no explanations other than those given. Once again, please don't read the following as set in stone - it is merely a description for people who are interested but the format is often very loosely structured.
Check out PhasesPhase 1: How Do You Feel?This phase gives the participants an opportunity to get strong feelings and emotion off their chest. It makes it easier for them to be more objective during the later phases. Phase 2: What Happened?Phase 3: What Did You Learn? Phase 4: How Does This Relate To The Real World? Phase 5: What If? This phase encourages members to apply their insights to new contexts and the facilitator might encourage the member to use alternative scenarios to speculate on how behaviours would change. Phase 6: What Next?This phase encourages members to publicly undertake action planning - to apply their insights from the group activity to the real world.
Venues and Times of Support Groups
Bondi Junction: Tel. Michael - 0413-947582 The Maroubra Group is run much more informally than has been described above.
Maroubra Junction: Tel. Ruth - 0425-256199 
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