Released on = April 12, 2006, 3:21 pm

Press Release Author = Artbylt.Com

Industry = Healthcare

Press Release Summary = What to expect from a support group and how to get the most
out of attending one. Topics include sharing your story and problems, getting and
giving advice, and respecting differences of opinions and philosophies

Press Release Body = Ithaca, NY: There are many support groups available where
people meet to help each other with a variety of problems and conditions, such as
drug addiction, alcoholism, depression, grieving, dieting, and more.

If you are thinking about joining a group or starting one in your community, here
are some tips from author Lynne Taetzsch on what to expect and how to get the most
from your group.

Sharing Your Story and Problems:

Other than hiring a therapist, a support group offers the perfect place to talk
about yourself and your problems. You\'ll be with people who are going through the
same things you are. They know what you mean when you talk about sleepless nights,
depression, anxiety, guilt-whatever it is you\'re suffering at the moment.

The flip side of telling your own story, of course, is respectful listening to other
people\'s problems. This is a gift people offer each other in support groups. They
listen with empathy. They respect others\' points of view, acknowledge their
emotions, and allow them to express whatever it is they are feeling.

Getting and Giving Advice:

Support groups are a great place to get advice from those more experienced than you
are, and to share our own experience when it\'s called for. The key to giving advice
in a support group is simple: only give it when it\'s asked for. Sometimes members
just want to vent their feelings and to explore their situation out loud to a group
of supportive listeners. Very often, you can\'t really solve another person\'s
problem, but you can listen attentively.

If you\'re not sure whether to give advice or not, it\'s best to simply ask. After
you\'re in a group for a while, however, you\'ll usually get a feel for when it\'s
appropriate and when not.

Respecting Differences of Opinions and Philosophies:

Think of a support group as a place to share ideas while respecting differences.
One member may be a believer in alternative medicine. Another may think faith is
the best cure. One of the benefits of going to a support group is to hear different
experiences and opinions. You don\'t have to follow anyone else\'s advice, but it is
important to listen respectfully to all.

Along with listening and sharing is the necessity for confidentiality. In order for
everyone to feel free to speak what\'s on their mind, they have to be confident that
what they say in that room will remain there.

Support groups take some effort to maintain, and usually there are one or two people
who take responsibility for this. Some support groups are sponsored and run by a
paid facilitator, others are run by members. People take turns facilitating, and
share the administrative tasks like notifying newspapers to list meeting times.

As you become more familiar with your group, you may want to share in its
administration. Over time you may also find, as Lynne has, that your group is not
only a source of comfort and advice, but lasting friendship as well.





Web Site = http://www.artbylt.com/book.htm

Contact Details = Lynne Taetzsch
3 Snyder Heights
Ithaca , 14850
$$country

607-273-0266
Lynne@artbylt.com
http://www.artbylt.com/book.htm