SOOTHE
Group
Supporting Ourselves and Others Through Healing and Empowerment
About the Program
The SOOTHE Group is a 10-week online therapy program designed for individuals with lived or living experience of an eating disorder and trauma symptoms. Our evidence-based techniques come from Compassion-Focused Therapy, developed by Paul Gilbert. There is a deep focus on building compassion for ourselves and others, helping to alleviate suffering, treat mental health problems, and increase overall well-being.
In Compassion-Focused Therapy, the lotus flower shown above symbolises resilience, transformation, and the emergence of compassion from suffering. These flowers grow from mud yet remain beautiful and untouched by it, reflecting the ability of human beings to embody strength and compassion in the presence of difficult emotional and life experiences.
What to Expect
Self-Guided and Group Sessions
Across the 10-weeks, all participation will be online. We recommend using Chrome as your browser. You will engage in a combination of online, live group sessions, and self-guided content. Weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 10 will run as online, live group sessions. Weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8 will run as self-guided content. In the self-guided components, you might see this symbol
This indicates that there is a handout or worksheet available for you to look at. You can choose to print these or complete them online.
You may also see this symbol
This indicates that you're up to a "Reflect" activity, where you'll be asked to reflect on an idea or question.
Option to read or listen to self-guided content
Throughout week 1-10 content, you will often see this symbol
This indicates that you can choose to either read or listen to the material. Offering both options is to ensure that content can still be accessible to those who prefer reading as well as those who prefer listening.
Group Participation Requirements
You are requested, within reason, to commit to attendance at all live group sessions. This enables group continuity and for each individual to gain the most from the program. While participation is an expectation, there are no activities that are considered mandatory given each person's unique situation, experiences and emotional readiness.
Low Cost Service
We understand that cost can be a barrier to accessing mental health services. With the support of the Swinburne Psychology Clinic, we are able to offer this program at a very reduced cost ($70).
Use the Reflective Journal document to complete all reflection activities throughout the self-guided weeks. This allows you to keep track of your responses, make changes, and return to your reflections at any time.
If you would like your facilitators to read a particular reflection, you can copy and paste your response into the text boxes provided on the website in the different reflection activities.
Please note that responses entered directly into the website will not be saved when you move to the next page. For this reason, it is important to complete and save your reflections in the Reflective Journal document.
In short: Use the Reflective Journal to save your reflections, and use the website text box only when you would like to share a reflection with your facilitators.
We recommend you save the Reflective Journal document now so that you can refer to it throughout. Or, you can print it (approx. 15 double-sided pages and can be black and white) and hand write your responses.
Importance of Safeness in an Online Therapeutic Space
Watch this video to understand the importance of and how to create a safe, private and comfortable space for participating in the SOOTHE Group.