The support group is still new, but the format tends to be following roughly the same as the Washington DC area Social Anxiety group's which is on the Meeting Guidelines sheet and described below.
Following are the formats of 2 SA groups in the United States:
The Social Anxiety Support Group for Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC
(http://www.angelfire.com/md3/socialanxietygroup/)
The meetings are usually 90 minutes long with about 5 to 10 people in attendance.
The meeting begins with introductions. If you do not feel like saying anything at this point you do not have to, nor for the rest of the meeting. This will be understood, as all the regulars of the group were once new and felt the same anxieties about talking in a group of strangers. So don't talk, talk a little, or talk a lot. You will be welcome.
After introductions success stories are shared with the group. This can be something difficult that a group member has done despite his/her social anxiety, such as a job interview, giving a speech, going to a party, or just talking to someone new. A success story can be anything you've done in spite of social anxiety. It can be something as simple as saying hello to a stranger.
The rest of the meeting is usually conversations started from the success stories. Or if someone needs advice about how to deal with a life situation that social anxiety is making more difficult than need be the group will offer advice and be as helpful as they can.
So if you feel that social anxiety is a problem in your life and would like to meet others with social anxiety, you are encouraged to be a part of our group. It's a great source for support and an opportunity to make some friends.
Hope to see you there!
Social Phobics Anonymous
(http://www.healsocialanxiety.com/)
Suggested Format For Leading a Social Phobics Anonymous Support
Group:
(READ AS FOLLOWS):
"Welcome
to the (Wednesday/Saturday) Social Phobic Anonymous support group--
We always
start this group by reading the SPA 12 steps and then afterwards we will open
the group for sharing (one person at a time) for those who wish to talk.
We ask that
people please refrain from cross talk (editorializing) on other people’s
comments during this phase of the meeting. We try to each keep the
focus on ourselves as we share.
**People may,
however, request feedback on any subject, in which case cross-talk limited to that specific question is
acceptable.**
There will be
an open discussion period later in the meeting where people can converse
freely. We ask people to please respect our format so that everyone may have a
safe place to recover.
Please also
note that you don't ever have to talk in our groups. You are welcome to just
listen if you prefer.
For those
who are not familiar with the 12 Steps we would like to point out that we
are not a religious group-- we have found that 'faith' or 'trust' of some kind
to be very helpful in reducing Social Anxiety symptoms, but in SPA groups you
do not have to believe specifically in God to work this program."
Readings:
1) Read the
12 Steps of Social Phobics Anonymous
2) Read Social Anxiety and Trust
Open The Meeting for Sharing:
"Now we will open the group for
sharing. We always start with structured sharing-- which means that one
person shares at a a time while everyone else listens.
Later on in the group we will open it up
for free discussion, so there will be time after structured sharing for open
conversation.
We always throw a question out to the
group to stimulate discussion. People don't have to respond to that
question when they share, they can talk about any
subject."
First Round of sharing:
“The first
question to the group is how did your day go/how did your week go? This is a
good opportunity to talk about pent up feelings or emotions. We socially
anxious people tend to be isolated and our emotions build up. By venting
and getting our feelings out, this helps to clear our heads so that we can
focus on utilizing the other tools of recovery."
(Note: As the moderator, try not
to comment on each person's share. Just a little thanks and
encouragement where needed is enough).
Second Round of Sharing:
“The next
question to the group is: What is one thing that you do (big or small) that
helps you with your social anxiety?"
More Questions for Additional rounds of sharing:
(Additional Filler Questions): (If Needed--Also Good For Weekly
Variation)-- Click Here for Sample Filler Questions
After
55 minutes of group -- Open Readings For 10 minutes:
“People may
read from any book or inspirational source about healing social anxiety. We ask
that specific religious materials not be read as we are not a religious
organization”.
At
about 5 After the hour -- Resume Sharing For up to 10 Minutes
At 15
after the hour -- Close
Regular Meeting and Open for 15 Minutes of Free (Unmoderated) Discussion.
At 1 hour 30 minutes -- Close the group with the Serenity Prayer (read this aloud to the
group– or ask someone else to read it):
“Higher power, grant me the serenity to accept the things that I
can not change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the
difference.”
Closing announcements --
A) Encourage those people who feel comfortable exchanging personal
email addresses or telephone numbers or instant messaging addresses to do so
(reinforce that there is no pressure on this issue). Mention that it is by
giving and getting one-on-one support during the week that we grow in our
recovery.
B) Offer SPA number to those who need to talk or ask questions
during the week 1-(303)-325-3143 offer SPA email address to listeners (those not
yet able to talk due to anxiety)
C) Let people know they anyone may
‘hang out’ and use the conference service casually for up to 30 minutes if they
wish. Ask people to please not to stay on after that time as this service
is donated to us by a company and others may need to use it.
D) Any SPA ANNOUNCEMENTS? If so people
involved with service activities may make them here.
E) People may hang out and converse
casually (if they wish) for up to 30 more minutes.