New Feature: Groups

[Sweetleaf]

I thought about this - but I think that it could be accomplished in the Therapy sub-forum as well.

It's been a little while since I've gone into that section, but, perhaps then, instead of making an EMDR group, allowing the Therapy sub-forum to have prefixes, perhaps? To help refine sifting through it, without using the search function, for help/discussions about specific therapies? Like the trauma & stressors area has.

For example, an EMDR prefix, CBT, DBT, no prefix, etc., I dunno.

Just spitballing ideas out there.

It would make it easier to view multiple discussions on it, maintain older discussions on it instead of them sinking down out of view.

 

[Sandstone]

I thought about this - but I think that it could be accomplished in the Therapy sub-forum as well. No-one's started an EMDR support thread in a long while

we already do have trauma-specific areas,

I'm completely confused, because there is a group for CBT/DBT, which are specific types of therapy, but you are saying there doesn't need to be a group for EMDR, another type of therapy
Similarly, there are groups for military and first responder trauma, but there doesn't need to be one for other specific types of trauma

I'm not seeing the structure or the logic. Is it because there isn't any yet, as this is an evolving area? Or is there a communications gap?

 

[joeylittle]

I'm completely confused, because there is a group for CBT/DBT, which are specific types of therapy, but you are saying there doesn't need to be a group for EMDR, another type of therapy

Fair point.

CBT and DBT are very big topics, on their own. As modalities, they are therapies, yes, but they are also the ones most commonly given books to read about them, worksheets to do, homework assignments, and so on. EMDR is an experiential therapy, and it happens between the therapist and the client, in-session. I've found that most of the CBT and DBT work I've done, and observed others doing, is done on one's own.

I think of the CBT/DBT group as a study group, and since each one has multiple modules to it (DBT 4, and CBT 5 or 6 depending on how you count), it's easy to see how there could be a need for multiple threads.

Honestly, tho - if someone wants to write up a proposal for an EMDR group, and take the lead on cultivating it - if the proposal makes sense, there won't be a reason to not let it go forward. Just because in my mind it doesn't fill a group, doesn't mean others might not make it quite successful.

Similarly, there are groups for military and first responder trauma, but there doesn't need to be one for other specific types of trauma

These have rather specific reasons. Military trauma is often connected to specific missions, details, locales. There is a culture in the military that generally values being able to talk behind closed doors - and sometimes, there's a very real concern about identifying details vis-a-vis various government agencies.

When MyCombatPTSD was shuttered, and those members imported here, we struggled to make the right kind of space for them. Groups seems to work better for it than having military trauma, which we had already split into two groups. It's worth considering whether the trauma forum for military needs to exist, anymore...I think we will see where the bulk of the posting goes, and decide that way.

First responders: this is also a group that is experiencing their trauma as a part of their profession. I don't think the confidentiality issues are as big as with the military, but I have seen members who fit this group be pounded on for posting what others consider to be 'too much detail' in their relating of their trauma experience - specifically because that detail involves someone they were sent to help, or arrest, or rescue, etc. I don't think it's fair that this group be stopped from speaking on those grounds, but I also understand why confidentiality concerns could make it complicated. Giving some privacy alleviates that issue.

Also, historically, nearly any time a law enforcement officer tries to write about their experience, their profession is maligned by some other forum member whose trauma involved the police. I understand why and how it happens, and believe that the best solution is to create a separate space where those first responders don't have to apologize for doing what they do.

I'm not seeing the structure or the logic. Is it because there isn't any yet, as this is an evolving area? Or is there a communications gap?

So - a little of communications gap, and a little of 'it's evolving'.

 

[anthony]

I'm completely confused, because there is a group for CBT/DBT, which are specific types of therapy, but you are saying there doesn't need to be a group for EMDR, another type of therapy

EMDR is actually a sub-type of CBT. You can't perform EMDR in a group. You can perform the basic CBT and DBT fundamentals in a group. These are both done in therapy groups too. There is actually a difference. One requires specific one-on-one with a therapist, the other two do not, and are very much group oriented and open for discussion, working together on topics, etc.

Having done EMDR is not a requisite in my eyes for a group. Any question about EMDR can be asked in the existing therapy forum. Groups are not to replace existing forums, they are to supplement holes / more private aspects of existing areas. You can see this in the groups created already, they are not for people who do or fit something, to just go post about everything and anything in their life. They are very topic specific and will be moderated in the limited capacities they are designed to fill.