Adult LGBTQIA+ Process and Support Group is Back!
We got great feedback from our first round of the Adult LGBTQIA+ Process and Support Group, so we decided to offer it again! 🌈💬 We want to offer you a sneak peak into what your can expect and how you can imagine you may grow when you join us for this group.
You do not have to attend every session but the more you do the more support and community you will build. 💪 We recommend attending a consult session with our group therapist, Jamie Campos. During this time, you and Jamie will learn more about each other and what you can gain from this group experience. 🧠✨
If you want to see the BTS of our group keep reading. If you are ready to join us email, jamie@texomaspecialtycounseling.com or scroll down and hit the “Learn More” button to get started. ⬇️
What you can expect in the We Will Not Be Erased: Adult LGBTQIA+ Process and Support Group
1. Inner Child Work/Mindful Self-Compassion
Description: Inner child work involves connecting with and nurturing the parts of ourselves that were wounded in childhood. It can help address unresolved traumas and unmet needs. Mindful self-compassion is the practice of treating oneself with kindness, especially through difficult emotions, and it complements inner child work by fostering a more nurturing and understanding relationship with oneself.
Reflection Questions:
What are some early childhood experiences that shaped how you see yourself today?
How can you offer compassion to the parts of you that feel hurt or neglected?
In what ways do you silence or ignore your inner child, and what are the consequences of doing so?
How does your inner child relate to your sense of identity as a queer person?
What practices can you incorporate into your daily life to foster mindful self-compassion?
2. Climate/Environmental Wellness
Description: Climate and environmental wellness focuses on the impact of environmental issues on mental health and the importance of developing a healthy relationship with nature. For many in the LGBTQIA+ community, climate concerns are compounded by other systemic stressors such as higher rates of poverty, homelessness, and disability. Exploring how environmental wellness intersects with identity can support overall well-being.
Reflection Questions:
How does the state of the environment impact your mental health and sense of well-being?
In what ways do you feel connected or disconnected from nature, and how does this affect your daily life?
How do you think is the best way to cope with feelings of powerlessness?
How might environmental advocacy intersect with your identity as an LGBTQIA+ person?
What small steps can you take to improve your personal environmental wellness?
3. Coping with Queer Holiday Blues
Description: Holidays can be challenging for LGBTQIA+ individuals due to family dynamics, feelings of isolation, or societal pressures. The "holiday blues" refer to the emotional challenges that arise during these times. Coping strategies might include creating chosen family traditions, set appropriate boundaries, and finding ways to stay grounded through difficult emotions.
Reflection Questions:
What emotions or experiences tend to surface for you during the holiday season?
How do family dynamics contribute to feelings of loneliness or sadness during holidays?
What boundaries can you set with family or others to protect your mental and emotional health?
How can you create meaningful holiday traditions that affirm your identity and values?
What resources or support systems can you lean on to help navigate the holiday season?
4. Substance Use/Habits/Imbalances
Description: Many in the LGBTQIA+ community turn to substances as a coping mechanism for dealing with trauma, rejection, or stress. This topic focuses on understanding the role of substance use in one’s life, whether it’s occasional or more habitual, and how to develop healthier coping mechanisms for stress and emotional regulation.
Reflection Questions:
What role do substances play in your life, and how do they impact your mental and physical health?
What triggers lead you to use substances or engage in habits that feel imbalanced?
How do societal pressures or personal stressors as an LGBTQIA+ person influence your substance use?
What healthier coping mechanisms can you explore to address the same feelings or situations?
What is harm reduction and what are some ways to practice harm reduction around substance use or SH?
5. Managing Family Conflict
Description: Family conflict can be especially challenging for LGBTQIA+ individuals, often involving rejection, misunderstanding, or lack of support. Managing this conflict requires setting appropriate boundaries, practicing self-care, and finding ways to heal or navigate these relationships without sacrificing personal well-being.
Reflection Questions:
How has your relationship with your family evolved since you learned you were queer, and how has that impacted you emotionally?
How can you set boundaries with family members who may not fully accept or understand your identity?
How do you balance maintaining family relationships with protecting your mental health?
What strategies have helped you navigate family conflict in the past, and what new strategies can you explore?
How can you cultivate self-compassion and resilience when dealing with family tension or rejection?
6. Info Dump Day/End of Season Holiday Party
Description: This day could be designed as an opportunity for group members to "info dump," sharing thoughts, emotions, or ideas about your favorite topic, while also celebrating the end of the season together! It’s a space for release, reflection, and community bonding, helping members feel heard and seen. Feel free to bring a powerpoint, snacks, beverages, or a craft to unwind and be in community before our break! We will also spend a part of the session reflecting on the season’s takeaways.
If this sounds like what you have been looking for hit the button below to be directed to our group page. Or email jamie@texomaspecialtycounseling.com to get started.
