MSG is a group for persons who identify as masculine (majority of the time) and as a survivor of Relationship & Sexual Violence. It will be closed group, meaning that once the members have been selected there will not be any new members until a new group is started. The purpose of this group is to promote an emotionally safe space for Masculine Identifying Survivors of Relationship and Sexual Violence. Participants will examine their relationship with their masculinity and their perceived options for coping with their experienced trauma. Together the group members will learn new skills to cope with their trauma. Group members will not be expected to process their trauma but learn ways to cope with said trauma.
General Session Outline:
1. Session One: Introduction session – Establishing group purpose, norms, session flow, and group cohesion.
2. Session Two: Masculinity Psychoeducation
What is a Man? (The cultural perspective)
- Goal One: Each participant will discuss generalized cultural understanding of the ideal man.
- Goal Two: Subcultural differences in these understanding will be acknowledged and described.
3. Session Three: Masculine Psychoeducation
What is a Man? (The personal perspective)
- Goal One: Each participant will discuss some personal experiences related to their sense of male development and identity
- Goal Two: Each participant will identify some key markers in establishing their sense of being a man.
4. Session Four: Generalized Trauma Psychoeducation
Gaining an Understanding of Trauma
- Goal One: Each participant will gain an understating of what is meant by trauma and the role the trauma has played in their life.
- Goal Two: Each participant will gain insight into the coping strategies that have helped them deal with the feelings associated with trauma.
5. Session Five: Affect/Feelings Identification and Modulation Skills
The Body Remembers What the Mind Forgets
- Goal One: Each participant will begin to identify how their feelings toward their bodies are connected to their experiences of trauma.
- Goal Two: Each participant will gain an understanding of how current somatic pains and bodily distress may be connected to prior trauma.
6. Session Six: Traumatic Stress Responses Identification (i.e., Psychological and Emotional)
Abuse and Psychological or Emotional Symptoms
- Goal One: Each participant will begin to explore the possible link between past abuse/traumas and intense feelings or dysfunctional behaviors.
- Goal Two: Each participant will consider that currently labeled symptoms may have developed originally as responses to trauma.
7. Session Seven: Power/Control and Responsibility Identification Psychoeducation
Blame, Acceptance, and Forgiveness
- Goal One: Participants will explore the concepts of blame and responsibility.
- Goal Two: Participants will begin to think about the roles of acceptance and forgiveness (of self) in recovery.
8. Session Eight: Identification what is needed to move forward
Personal Healing
- Goal One: Participants will gain an understanding of the person process of recovery and will take inventory of their own progress.
- Goal Two: Participants will look beyond the group to the next steps in their healing.
9. Session Nine: Progress Review & Participation Ceremony
Closing Ritual
- Goal One: Participants will review the progress they made within group.
- Goal Two: Participants will have a chance to process their group experiences and say goodbye.
Eligible Participants include the following:
1. Masculine Identifying majority of the time
2. Self-identified survivor of Relationship and Sexual Violence
3. Person who are wanting to learn new coping skills for coping with their trauma. A person who is individual therapy for trauma processing is welcome as well to supplement their individual treatment.
Individual Interviews: January 18th to January 31st. People are encouraged to connect before that date. Additionally, for clinicians please feel free to refer sooner rather than later.
Start Date: February 3rd, 2021
Time: 4:00 PM to 5:50 p.m.
Group Duration: 9 weeks with a break for Spring break.
Who to Contact about group: Matt Fanning