Facilitating a support group is a lot of pressure. Standing in front of a room full of people who are looking to you for answers is nerve-racking. Our hosts, Juliet Dorris-Williams and Gabe Howard have been there! On this episode of PEER Voices, they share the knowledge and experience gained through guiding hundreds of peer groups. Whether you are a seasoned leader or just starting out, Juliet and Gabe can help you be more relaxed, more engaging, and offer better support to our peers.
Show Notes:
5:37 – "We need to know that other people have done it. Have managed to get past some things. That other people have managed to live in recovery." (Peer support groups demonstrate that success is possible for someone like you.)
15:33 – "Just figure out what people commonly mistake or don't know, and fix it." (If you are consistently having the same problems, re-think your approach.)
17:41 – "Consistency is very comforting. Especially if you're fearful, or worried, or anxious, or new at this." (Make sure your support group has clear rules that are always followed.)
20:25 – "People will talk. Somebody will fill the silence. Just don't feel obligated to make it be you." (Don't rush to speak, let group participants have time to answer.)
24:22 – "Too many groups closed down because they're like, "Oh, it didn't work. It didn't. It wasn't an overnight success." (A support group needs to meet consistently for 6 months or more to become established.)
