TLC's Group Opening Statement and Format
© Trichotillomania Learning Center, Inc. 2008. All Rights Reserved
Welcome to the ________________Group.
This group is here to assist in healing from the effects of hair pulling, skin picking, and other body-focused repetitive behaviors in our lives. Donations are accepted with gratitude (the bowl is over there!) and applied toward operating expenses. There is no financial obligation to participate as a member of the group. You have paid the price of admission with your life experience, which brings us together.
As with 12-Step meetings, what is said here is confidential, and should not be discussed outside the meeting. This is a safe and non-judgmental place in which to explore and heal, and one of the major goals of the group is to assist each individual in moving beyond compulsive behavior when they are ready.
The format of the meeting is this: First, each of us will check in. This is done with absolutely no cross-talk until the last person has shared, and should take no longer than 3-5 minutes per person. If there are more than 6 people, please keep your share to about 3 minutes. Listen to what is being said. The archetypal energy underlying these behaviors is expressing itself through each of our lives, and we are here to honor the need, heal the wounds, and grow each according to our destiny, learning to live in balance with the forces of life.
After sharing, the meeting is opened up to become a discussion group. Remember, the goal is not confrontation but support. It is important to remember that many, many tiny changes over time, add up to transformation, so keep the focus of the meeting on willingness to change.
It is the responsibility of each group member to stay in the present, keep discussion on themselves, and help the group as a whole stay focused on issues of recovery.