Filtered from the Bureau - text

[consortofalderaan]

I have a proposal I want to make.

To put it diplomatically, I do not think the Bureau-run support groups are helpful. Meeting others dealing with new memories of past lives is good, but the way the Bureau runs their meetings has no other benefit.

I am a therapist; this is an area I’m well trained for.

But I would like to know if this worth pursuing.

How many would be interested if we started our own support group, completely separate from the Bureau?

Comments

[neverjedi]

I would be. I think it's a good idea.

do you have a space in mind?

[consortofalderaan]

I do not have a space yet. Once I know how many are interested, we can determine what kind of facility we would need.

filtered, text;

[traceofeffort]

They're good because the Bureau makes it clear they're there and they're... kinda sorta safe spaces? But no, they're not very good for actually connecting with other people, even if it works at least sometimes. I would totally be on board with trying something new.

[neverjedi]

Perfect. If there's anything I can help with, let me know.

[consortofalderaan]

What are you comfortable helping with?

[neverjedi]

Anything that can be of use and isn't public speaking.

[consortofalderaan]

So... room prep? Like setting up and taking down chairs?

Oh, I know, maintaining the scheduling spreadsheet?

Re: filtered, text;

[consortofalderaan]

They aren't really a safe space.

A safe space for a support group like that requires trust between the facilitator and the attendees. And the Bureau does not try to earn our trust. They just assume they have our trust. That, from the start, creates a toxic environment for the type of therapy a support group is meant to provide.

[neverjedi]

I'll help set up and tear down, too, but be still my heart, you know how much I love spreadsheets.

[consortofalderaan]

I do indeed.

But I promise not to abuse this knowledge.

[neverjedi]

I promise to not let you abuse it but I love a good spreadsheet and if I can make that useful for you, it's a win for everyone.

[captainspain]

I would be on board with this.....the bureau just gives me the willies.

[traceofeffort]

That's... true, I guess. I didn't really think of that. The toxic environment stuff, I mean. The trust thing I've been on board with for a long time. Nobody really knows us, so we'd have to earn that trust, but I think we have better intentions on our side.

And hey, is there anything I can do to help?

[consortofalderaan]

If I wasn't your boyfriend, would you still be helping me?

[consortofalderaan]

I haven't spoken to a single person who does not have a negative opinion of the Bureau.

It's for that reason I feel we should do this for ourselves.

[neverjedi]

For this? Absolutely. I hate the Bureau support group, but I think a support group would be invaluable. [ Including for him, god. ]

[consortofalderaan]

Right now, I need to know how many Different might be interested in something like this. If you know of anyone that might be interested, mention this to them.

Once I know the numbers, we will need to find a place, or various places we can hold meetings.

[consortofalderaan]

There wasn't a wrong answer there, just so you know.

But I would be interested to hear what you want from a support group. And why you don't like the Bureau support groups.

[traceofeffort]

I'll spread the word as much as I can, then. Not that there are THAT many of us, but I think this will work better if we can bring as many people as possible.

I'll probably continue going to the Bureau-run meetings anyway though. The new people won't know about our meetings if nobody tells them, right?

[consortofalderaan]

That is a good point. We'll need to be continually aware of new Different who want an alternative to what the Bureau offers.

[captainspain]

I agree...sometimes I feeling like I should be speaking out more.

[consortofalderaan]

Against the Bureau?

[traceofeffort]

And they won't be aware there IS an alternative unless someone tells them. I probably shouldn't be the only person, of course, but that's something I can do.

Thank you for offering to do this. I definitely still have reservations about... all of this, sometimes. So somewhere the Bureau isn't listening will be good for me, too.

[consortofalderaan]

You're right to recognize that that is not a task to take on alone. The more people who volunteer to help, the easier it will be for all of us.

I do hope that creating our own space to process what we are going through will help everyone who participates.

[neverjedi]

I know.

My problem with what the Bureau runs is that it directly conflicts what I want. Which is somewhere comfortable and relatively safe to freely speak to other people about this shit. The location, the food, the supervision - it isn't comfortable and it makes me feel like I'm participating in an experimental clinical trial. I want to be able to talk some things out and I want to be able to listen to people but when I feel that... studied and physically comfortable due to the ...cold? cold, setting, it just. It isn't happening.