Rowland Counselling
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face-to-face therapy | outside therapy | online therapy.
info@rowlandcounselling.co.uk 07422 651829
THE AIM
To create a space where we may encounter the lived spiritual experiences of others, valuing our differences and discovering what we share:
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to share our spiritual stories, truths and experiences.
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to listen and respond with respect, curiosity and, even, wonder.
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to be with and learn from one another as we tread our own spiritual path.
WHAT IS IT?
An encounter group . This is a certain kind of group that values authenticity, otherness and dialogue.
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Authenticity: we are the authors of our own experience and living. The task is to find the right words, metaphors, or symbols that encapsulate our experience, and then to communicate that. This is both a discovery and a creative process. It is not about what we should be experiencing, believing, doing, or saying.
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Otherness: when we are authentic, we encounter the otherness in each other. We are different; our spiritualities are as different as they may be shared. And it is in the encounter with the other that we discover ourselves: our own experience, meaning and spirituality.
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Dialogue: this is the ongoing process of opening ourselves up to understand and respond authentically to the other person, to be touched, challenged and changed in the encounter.
WHAT IT'S NOT
This group is not....​
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A discussion group. These tend to primarily focus on our thinking. We aim to bring our whole selves: mind, body, heart, and soul.
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A support group. We are not primarily offering each other support on a certain struggle. The focus of each session will change depending on what the group brings.
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A religious group. These are usually for those who share an affiliation with a religion or for the purpose of letting people explore a certain religion. This is for anyone who can commit to respectful listening and honest participation, without trying to persuade, convince or rescue others.
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A therapy group. Psychological struggles can interact with spirituality and religion in many ways and these experiences may be explored in the group. This can be very therapeutic. However, the group is not only about such struggles, and the agreements or contract we commit to are different to what you would find in a therapy group.
THE STRUCTURE
6.55-7pm: Log in to Google Meet.
7pm - 8.30: The space
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Check-in: Where are you at and what has brought you today?
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Group discussion. An open space to express what's going on for us and respond to one another. We trust the process of this freedom.
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Check-out: What might have been missing for you today? What might you be taking away?
8.30: Leave
THE FACILITATOR
I will be facilitating the group. I see the role of the facilitator as to hold the boundaries of the group (i.e., to provide the online space, keep the timings, and help hold the ground rules), as well as to participate.
I do not see the role of the facilitator as to make something happen or give answers. What is created in the boundaries of the space will be created by all of us who come.
GROUND RULES
All attendees agree to:
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Confidentiality. What’s said in the group stays in the group, unless you or someone else is at imminent risk of serious harm. If we share what is said outside of the group, we guard each others’ identities..
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Respect. When I disagree or find myself moving into judgement, I try to remain curious.
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Listening. I do not try to convince, persuade, change or rescue someone else. Instead, I try to understand what their experience is and respond to this.
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Personal ownership. I am only responsible for my journey. I can only know what my experience is. I am however responsible to the group: to show up with honesty and respectful listening.
To find out more....
To join us or simply find out some more about it, get in touch by clicking the link below or emailing info@thomasrowlandcounsellingservices.com.
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