I agree. All group members deserve to know that abusive comments will not be tolerated and how the Group Leaders will prevent or handle these situation when they arise.

I totally agree with Sunrise here. Anytime your have a group of people trying to work together there is going to be a least SOME members who do not click well. I would think this would be even more likely with a mental health group. The organizers should not have been SHOCKED by her comments.

I agree again. Maybe since your Group Leaders did not think of this themselves maybe you could recommend that the group do this at the next meeting. This activity would get all members involved in creating a group environment that they could all feel safe in too. Since all members are involved in creating and discussing the ground rules, they may also feel more empowered to protect each other from hurtful comments and insure that the rules are followed.

I think what bothered me most about your post was that NO ONE ELSE STEPPED UP TO CHALLENGE the negative statements. Not even the Ts. I'm sorry if my comments might have seem blunt, but I know if I were in that group and witness what happened to you I would have stood up condemned the others for not sticking up for you ... and left. WHY... because... that night the person slammed might have been YOU, but sooner or later when I was vulnerable it would end up being ME. I get slammed enough outside of therapy... I sure as hell don't need it IN therapy.

Internettie You deserve a better group environment. The leaders of this group don't seem to be leading too well. You are in a good position to push for reform and attempt to encourage other members to create an environment that is safe, accepting, and helpful to all members. If you don't think you are up for leading this charge, then I would tell the Group Leaders that the environment they created is not something you are interested in being a part of. Maybe the group needs to lose a few good members like you to realize that things need to change.