This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
New Pre-Therapy Group starting in 2025 – but we need your help!
This year we are planning to introduce a new Pre-Therapy Group for those waiting to attend counselling sessions at RSACC. In order to ensure the sessions are as helpful as possible we’re asking those interested in attending to complete a short survey, which can be found here.
Jemma-Leigh, our Group Co-ordinator at RSACC, hopes the survey will ensure we can make a tailored session that meets the needs of those who want to attend. She explained: “We would really appreciate hearing what areas you would like covered, what you are struggling with and what would be beneficial to go over in the group sessions. We’ve given some examples of topics we could cover in the survey, but would love to hear if there is anything else that you would like to see in the group.”
The idea for the new Pre-Therapy group came about following feedback from survivors who’ve attended RSACC’s other therapy groups, and found them helpful.
Jemma-Leigh explained: “We were hearing from clients that attending a group while they were on the waiting list for counselling was a massive help to them. At present, some survivors can be on the 1:1 counselling waiting list for a little while, so we hope providing a specialist pre-therapy support group might help provide them with knowledge and coping skills while waiting to speak to a counsellor.
Planning for the new Pre-Therapy Group is still in the early stages but, depending on the results of the survey, the group will likely take place online via Zoom and last for two hours. There is expected to be a maximum of 15 participants per group. The sessions will be facilitated by our experienced group co-ordinator and supported by a specially trained volunteer from RSACC.
Jemma Leigh added that she hopes those attending the new group will leave knowing they are not to blame for what happened to them, that they aren’t alone and that they deserve to be heard, believed and supported. She said: “Being in a safe and supportive environment where you meet with other people who have experienced something similar is such a powerful space to explore thoughts and feelings that you might not have been able to be honest about with the other people in your life. No one in the group will judge you or blame you for what happened, they will be able to relate to you and provide peer support. The content of the sessions will also allow you to learn about the potential impact that trauma can have, and develop new ways of coping with it, for example, coping mechanisms for dealing with panic attacks and flashbacks.”
As yet there is no set starting date for the Pre-Therapy Group to commence, but it is likely to be in spring 2025.