Explanation of In-Person Support Group Meeting Assignments

For each in-person support group meeting, you are to submit an organized one page paper that should include the following:

Heading:
Your name
Name of support group you attended
Date and time of support group meeting
Location of the meeting
Name of group leader of speaker

Meeting Overview:
Use outline form here
Write 5 brief bullet points of what occurred at the meeting
Outline form / bullet points / no long sentences

Reaction: (try to keep this close to 350 words if possible %u0432%u0402%u201C points will be deducted if you write less than 250)

Use paragraph form in this section and be sure to address the following issues:

1. What you expected to learn from this experience

2. What you learned that was similar to or different from what you expected

3. What you saw or heard that was impressive

4. What you saw or heard that was troubling or upsetting

5. What you learned that applies to this class

6. Your opinions and evidence to support those opinions regarding the value of this experience and the extent to which it increased your knowledge about specific issues in applying psychological ideas and concepts to clinical or group practice

Additional tips about this assignment
Students should be vigilant about following directions. Points will be deducted for failure to follow the above required format and word count, and for grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. errors.

You will need to check your local paper, your local online paper (look for links to community, health, self-help,) your local Navy Family Services, community services, area hospitals, military ESOs, or other local organizations in your area. Numerous support groups are typically available and open to those who are interested.

Some of the most widely available meetings are those based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, i.e. AA, Al-Anon, Overeaters Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Codependents Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, etc. (You do NOT have to introduce yourself by saying, %u0432%u0402%u045AHi, I%u0432%u0402%u2122m Gloria and I%u0432%u0402%u2122m an alcoholic.%u0432%u0402%u045C You can simply say, %u0432%u0402%u045AHi, I%u0432%u0402%u2122m Gloria and I%u0432%u0402%u2122m here to learn.%u0432%u0402%u045C) You may also easily find support groups for people with medical disorders or those affected by someone else%u0432%u0402%u2122s disorder, i.e. Alzheimer%u0432%u0402%u2122s, HIV, diabetes, etc Most meetings are about one hour and are free of charge. If you are unsure, ask ahead of time, as some do charge fees, i.e. Overeaters Anonymous has no fee but Weight Watchers charges roughly $15.

Support groups are intended for gaining mutual empathy. Please attend meetings that have topics with which you can relate. Announcing that you are a psychology student who is required to attend will most likely result in you being asked to leave the meeting. Students may attend open AA meetings, but those that are designated as closed should only be attended by those who have the desire to quit drinking.

I DID NOT ATTEND A IN PERSON SUPPORT GROUP YOU CAN MAKE ONE UP. IT MUST BE IN HAMPTON VIRGINIA WHERE I LIVE, IT CAN BE A MISCARRIAGE SUPPORT GROUP SINCE I SUFFERED FROM A MISCARRIAGE.

Support Group Meetings Update

The requirement for attending support group meetings for this semester is optional between in-person and online support groups rather than just online groups as the class notes indicate. You may replace two online groups with one in-person group if you choose. The first group assignment is due week three and you may either review two different online groups or one in-person group. This option will be the same for week 7. There are separate instructions for each option on the course menu. It is my goal to make this assignment as interactive as possible and the option of observing a group in person has this benefit.