HEAL Support Group Agreements

1. We welcome everyone based on our equity statement. 

2. We care for ourselves by opting in or out of any activity or sharing opportunity as it serves us.

3. We practice peaceful, non-judgmental listening both to other members and to our own thoughts and feelings as we listen.

4. We honor the gift of vulnerability by keeping other members' sharing confidential (although we share our personal experience of a meeting freely as it serves our healing).

5. We carefully choose words and actions which bring optimal healing for everyone.

6. We support ourselves and each other with kindness, compassion, understanding and open minds.

7. We appreciate the healthy diversity of every healing path/situation by refraining from projecting our own path or choices onto others. In return, we take from others only that which serves us.

8. We ask questions of others (with the understanding that others may choose to respond or not), rather than directly stating our impressions of others' experiences or what might serve them.

9. We balance expressing with inquiry, being as interested in other’s experiences and perspectives as our own. We sometimes take more time when we need, and allow others to do the same.

10. We acknowledge that even if some members have a professional life that involves supporting others, they are attending the group as a peer, not in a professional capacity.

Feedback regarding these agreements is welcome, whether anonymous or posted in our forum.