Women's Empowerment Group

Betz King has been facilitating Empowerment Groups since 1998, as a safe place for members to gain greater self-awareness, assertiveness and support.

A Letter from a graduating member, to an incoming member:

Dear Group Neophyte,

    I'm writing to tell you, on the night of my graduation from group, a few things I've come to realize. If you hope to believe any of these things one day, take my advice and GO. It will change you in ways you might not imagine are possible.

1) Compassion is key. This is the hardest lesson for me to apply to my daily life, but when I do it, it takes 85% of the 'yuck' out. The answer that solves all of your social dilemmas is asking, "what do we have in common?" The answer to this question holds the truth every time.

2) 99 times out of 100, people are not thinking what you are imagining they are.

3) You have the ability to hurt yourself worse than anybody else can. The good news is that this is also true of being good to yourself.

4) Everything is okay, if only you can make yourself believe it.

5) It starts with talking the talk. The walking comes later (and it doesn't take long).

6) Please, do say it. There are enough tools in the room to make sure that everything is fine, and you end up getting those tools to keep in your toolbox.

7) If you don't want to go, it means you need to go. There is probably something lurking under the surface. You'd be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't get to do that piece of work.

8) For better or worse, you will never forget these people or the lessons you've learned from them.

9) Because of group, I get excited to wake up and hang out with myself all day. I am my own best friend, and nobody can take me away from myself.

10) Trust your process. It will guide you through every emotion you will ever feel.

11) When somebody acts in a way you don't like, refuse to own it. It's theirs, not yours.

12) There are infinite shades of grey. You get to pick the one you're comfortable in.

13) Everything you learn in group is applicable to the world you live in every day.

14) Paisley is the keeper of the secrets. She knows a lot more than you'd think.

15) The unhealthy people in your life may not like the way you've changed yourself for the better. At some point, this will stop bothering you. There are just as many people (if not more) who will not be able to live without the new you.

    I'll tell you, also, that I started group thinking, "a little therapy never hurt". This is a lie. What I realized was true is that "what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger."

    I have all the best wishes for you on your journey. May you choose this path and find enlightenment, empowerment and engagement. Aho.

With all my faith, love and support,
name concealed

11 ways that group-therapy can be helpful:

It gives hope.	It helps us realize we’re not alone.
We can get, and give, advice.	We can help others, and it helps us too.
We can heal wounds from our family.	We can learn to socialize with others.
We can learn through imitation.	We can learn by being in relationships.
We can bond and feel safe in our group.	We can have emotional breakthroughs.
We can ponder the meaning of life and our purpose in this lifetime.

Irvin Yalom The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy 2nd ed.. 1975, Basic Books, NY.

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