Peer
Support Groups
for Survivors
Peer Support Groups for Survivors
This is an educationally-formatted peer support group ONLY for survivors of therapy abuse and exploitation (TAE). These groups will begin with a focus on issues pertinent to surviving TAE and evolve into a discussion amongst the group. Everyone will be encouraged to participate and share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs at their comfort level. This support group is here to provide guidance, encouragement, and resources specific to those who have survived TAE regardless of where they are in that process. It is facilitated by peer support worker, Bernadine Fox who has 30+ years experience as a mental health advocate.
This is not therapy nor is it a substitute for therapy.
Safe, welcoming space to connect with others who understand what you have gone through. Give and receive mutual support. Learn and share coping tools, strategies for self-care, information about dealing with complaints, police reports, hearings, court cases, etc., and foster resilience. We can face this challenge together strengthen both ourselves and each other.
It is recommended that before attending the peer support group folks attend one 1-hr online FREE workshop for survivors on What is Therapy Abuse and Exploitation?
This is not therapy nor is it a substitute for therapy.
Safe, welcoming space to connect with others who understand what you have gone through. Give and receive mutual support. Learn and share coping tools, strategies for self-care, information about dealing with complaints, police reports, hearings, court cases, etc., and foster resilience. We can face this challenge together strengthen both ourselves and each other.
It is recommended that before attending the peer support group folks attend one 1-hr online FREE workshop for survivors on What is Therapy Abuse and Exploitation?
These workshops are scheduled to accommodate survivors from around the globe. They are scheduled 3 times a month on Wednesdays to make them available to three time zones.
1st Wednesday - 10 AM PST (this works out to 7 pm UK and 6 pm Norway time zones)
2nd Wednesday - 2 PM PST (this works out to 4 pm Winnipeg/North Dakota, 5 pm NY and 6 pm Halifax time zones)
3rd Wednesday - 7 PM PST (this works out 11 am Australian Central and 12 pm Tokyo)
1st Wednesday - 10 AM PST (this works out to 7 pm UK and 6 pm Norway time zones)
2nd Wednesday - 2 PM PST (this works out to 4 pm Winnipeg/North Dakota, 5 pm NY and 6 pm Halifax time zones)
3rd Wednesday - 7 PM PST (this works out 11 am Australian Central and 12 pm Tokyo)
Group Boundaries and Policies: Goal to ensure a safe and respectful environment for everyone.
- Stay on topic: Keep conversations and questions on the issue of TAE.
- ONLY survivors are allowed to attend; therapists who have been exploited as clients may attend but must do so as survivors not as counsellors.
- Respect: Be respectful of others, their boundaries, and the place they are in in their healing journey.
- Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality and privacy. Many participant are fearful that their abusive therapist will find out they are talking.
- Non-judgment: The biggest gift you can give each other is to see and appreciate one another for who they are in that point.
- Participation: This is a trauma-informed support group. Participation is on your comfort level. Chat verbally or via chat function or just listen. Cameras can be on or off. You can join anonymously. Preregistration is required, but we will understand if you are unable to join for whatever reason.
- Be mindful: Everyone has come to the group because of a horrible ordeal. Be kind and gentle. Not everyone is in the same place in the healing journey and it is important to respect the place they are in.
- Be curious: We can ask questions of each other but must protect each other's right to privacy when necessary.
- Suggestions around healing: It is helpful if folks share what has worked for them in the healing process. But it is important to recognize that 1) healing is not linear and 2) everyone's healing journey is individual. What works for one person in one moment may not be relevant to another person in whatever moment they are in. Ideas can be suggested but should never be pushed on others.
