creating a better learning environment

• Has the therapist been open?
• Has the therapist responded in an easily understandable manner?
• Are you able to ask follow-up questions? Are the answers relevant to your experiences?
• Have your experiences been valued?

Many women find it useful to have both a counsellor and a group, while other women find that they wish only one or the other. A counsellor can help you work through some issues; being part of a group will help you realize that other women do understand what you have experienced.

Choosing a Support or Self-Help Group
If you decide that a group would be useful for you, you might want to look at several potential groups in order to select the one that would be best for you. Ask yourself:

• How often does the group meet?
• Where does the group meet? Is it a safe place?
• How many women are in the group? Is there a leader?
• Is the group open or closed, that is, can new members join any time or is membership limited? At what point can a woman join?
• What confidentiality guidelines does the group use?
• Are all women respected for where they are in their healing?
• Do members listen without giving advice, criticism or trying to fix the other's life.
• What back-up resources are available to the group?

What to Look for in Group Process

• The group welcomes input from all members, but no member is required to share.
• No one has control over anyone else in the group.
• Members respect the boundaries of other members.
• Members understand that the group process can take time, and do not become impatient with the perceived slowness.
• Members do not offer to touch or hug unless invited.

Adapted from a brochure by the Interagency Council on Survivors' Services, Saskatoon