Our first meeting will be Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at the First United Methodist Church of Miami on Biscayne Blvd. in the heart of downtown Miami, a block south of Freedom Tower and directly across from Bayside.
For those unfamiliar with group environments, the one we will hold will be relatively unstructured. That is the best way to allow attendees the freedom and time to get their issues on the table. One things for sure, if you’re a trauma survivor, no matter how much time has passed since your trauma experience, you have a lot of issues you’ve kept inside, not from a lack of wanting to talk about it, but from a lack of those in your life with the courage to listen. That’s what we offer, a willingness to listen to whatever it is you want/need to talk about. Most of you feel quite alone in your struggles, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are thousands in South Florida that have been through something like what you’ve been through. Bringing them together in a group environment enables them; many of them for the very first time, to begin the process of unburdening themselves with all the stuff they’ve been holding in; again not for lack of willingness to speak about it, but for lack of a sypathetic and courageous ear.
Benefits of a group environment include:
- Ability to share your story in as much or little detail as you feel comfortable with
- A chance to meet others who have very similar and very different experiences from your own
- Knowing that you’re not alone in what you’re facing
- Find new friends
- Gaining support from people who have been where you are
- Learn new coping skills and learn from others how they are moving on with thier lives
- Developing more self-confidence
- Opportunities for advocacy for safety issues and other issues important to many survivors
You’re not alone. Prove it to yourself by attending a meeting. The benefits will become clear after just one meeting, I can assure you.
For long time trauma survivors out there, we strongly encourage you to attend. Even those long time trauma survivors who have settled all their issues, this can be an opportunity for you to actually turn your tragedy into triumph, to find redeeming value in what you’ve been through. Even if all you do is share your struggle and your victory in the group environment, it will be a real help to those who haven’t gotten to where you’re at in your journey. You understand the struggles and pitfalls of the emotional journy. Your experiences are of great value to others; joining a trauma survivors group is a way you can share your experiences and help others along the way as a result.
