Before the Session: Preliminary Meeting
In most serious groups you don't just show up cold. There's an individual conversation with the facilitator first — they get to know you, explain how the group works, answer your questions.
How the First Session Begins
Participants arrive and sit in a circle. The facilitator welcomes everyone, goes over confidentiality rules, and explains how sessions work. Then introductions: each person says a little about themselves and why they came.
What Definitely Won't Happen
You won't be forced to share deeply personal things. You choose how much to say. There's no judgment. You won't feel "figured out" in the first session.
What You'll Likely Feel
Tension at first — normal, usually fades within 20–30 minutes. Recognition — that moment when someone says something and you think "that's me too." Tiredness afterward — emotional engagement takes energy.
After the First Session
The first session is an introduction, not therapy in full. Real work begins later as trust and safety develop. Most people think afterward: "that wasn't as scary as I thought."