nur 650

Group Meeting

Megan Findlay

St. Thomas University

Nur650 Psych Mgmt IV

Professor Casandra Melton

March 18, 2026

Group Meeting

I have attended a trauma support group with the Victim Service Center of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. I observed the group on Tuesday evening March 17, 2026 virtually. I selected this organization because their mission is targeted towards serving those who have experience trauma and victimization. The Victim Service Center of Central Florida is a nonprofit organization that offers counseling, advocacy and crisis services for people affected by violent crime, abuse or other traumatic events. Established in the year 2000, this organization aims to provide counseling services and community support for survivors on their path towards healing (Victim Service Center of Central Florida, 2024). Clients are eligible to participate if they have experienced trauma (such as domestic violence, sexual assault, etc.) and/ or victimization. The group I saw had roughly eight people in it. The ages of those who signed up seemed to span from early 20s to mid-50s or so, and there was a fair mix of men and women with diverse cultural backgrounds. Generally, this group focus was to create a safe environment space for sharing trauma, peer support and model healthier coping with trauma.

In general, I thought the group did an adequate job of supporting the needs of those experiencing it. With a comforting presence, the facilitator made for a supportive and safe environment in which members appeared to feel free to open about personal experience. And

one therapeutic factor stood out, and that was universality. Many members said that hearing others discuss their own experiences made them feel less alone. Some participants expressed relief that others understood what they had experienced, and it was evident. Another curative factor I saw was instillation of hope. Some longtime members of the group discussed progress they were making in their recovery. Listening to those experiences seemed to offer encouragement to newer members who were earlier in their own healing process. These types of interactions are frequently a critical component of effective group therapy as they encourage participants to feel validated and motivated towards continued recovery (Corey et al., 2021).

This style of group leadership appeared to work. In addition, the facilitator led the conversation while still enabling members to speak freely and without pressure. The group had clear expectations about confidentiality and respect for others. During the meeting, one participant became emotional while discussing their experience. The facilitator responded in a supportive way by validating the person’s feelings and giving them time to collect themselves before continuing the discussion. Overall, this approach helped ensure a supportive environment of the group.

For me personally, it was a very meaningful experience. Seeing the group interact informed my understanding of how potent peer support can be during trauma recovery. It emphasized the importance of establishing a safe and supportive space for discussing difficult experiences. From my perspective, I would recommend this group to future clients when they seem ready because it offers emotional support and a sense of connection with others working through trauma.

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St. Thomas University

NUR 650

Dr. Melton

March 2026

Support Group: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meeting

The support group observed was Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). I attended a virtual AA meeting via Zoom on February 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM. I chose this meeting because of its accessibility and because AA is one of the most widely used support groups for individuals with alcohol use disorder, which is highly relevant to psychiatric practice. Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith and has since grown into a worldwide peer-led fellowship focused on helping individuals maintain sobriety through shared experiences and mutual support (Alcoholics Anonymous World Services [AAWS], 2021). The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking, which makes the program highly inclusive. The group I observed included approximately 6-8 participants, primarily adults between the ages of 25 and 65, with a mix of males and females and diverse ethnic backgrounds. The overall goal of the group is to promote sobriety, provide emotional support, and foster accountability among members.

From an objective perspective, the group appeared effective in meeting participants’ needs by providing a safe and supportive environment where individuals could openly share their experiences without fear of judgment. Members were engaged and respectful, contributing to a sense of cohesion within the group. Research supports that peer support groups such as AA can improve recovery outcomes and reduce relapse rates among individuals with substance use disorders

(Kelly et al., 2020). Two therapeutic factors that were clearly evident included universality and instillation of hope. Universality was demonstrated as participants shared similar struggles with alcohol use, helping to reduce feelings of isolation. Instillation of hope was observed when members discussed their progress in recovery, reinforcing the belief that sustained sobriety is achievable.

The leadership style was peer-facilitated, structured, and supportive rather than directive. Group norms such as confidentiality, respect, and allowing each member time to speak were consistently maintained, which contributed to an effective therapeutic environment. There were minimal patient management issues; however, one participant became emotional during their sharing. The group responded appropriately by offering support and allowing the individual to express their feelings without interruption, demonstrating strong group cohesion and empathy.

Personally, I found the experience insightful and meaningful. It enhanced my understanding of the value of peer-led interventions and the role they play in complementing clinical treatment. Observing the group reinforced the importance of empathy, shared experiences, and community support in recovery. Based on this experience, I would recommend AA to future clients struggling with alcohol use disorder due to its accessibility, supportive environment, and evidence-based effectiveness (Kelly et al., 2020).