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Training
Volunteer as a Facilitator!
Have you been thinking about giving back? Perhaps becoming a Peer Group Facilitator?
You need to attend support groups for six months, and find a sponsor—a facilitator who knows you from coming to the group. With the attendance and sponsorship, you can apply for the National Support Group Facilitator Training course or, if available, our DBSA Boston training.
For all trainings, contact DanaZoe@dbsaboston.org
How about becoming a Tech Buddy? Attend groups for three months, where a facilitator recognizes you and can sponsor you. Tech Buddy Training is about 1–2 hours long, depending on your familiarity with Zoom. You can be of great help to our groups; and this is a great way to step into facilitating.
Facilitator Meetings
Join us at our regularly scheduled Facilitator Meetings—January 7th, and 21st, 2026 , 5–6 p.m. (ET) in Zoom Room 06 https://zoom.us/j/
Our next learning module will be January 21st, “Grief, Loss, and Remembrance: a Peer Discussion,” led by Eric Stout and Dana-Zoe Gest.
On February 26th, we will be offering another Role Play session.
No registration necessary for any Facilitator Meeting!
Contact DanaZoe@dbsaboston.org for more information.
National Learning Opportunities
The Next Support Group Facilitator Training will be held December 7th and 14th, noon–4 p.m. (ET). Currently those who register will be on a waitlist only. If you are interested in registering for this training, please know you need the six months of attending our peer-led groups, and a facilitator for a sponsor. Register via the email below.
The next Support Group Facilitator Training held by DBSA National will be in February 2026. Stay tuned for dates.
To register, contact DanaZoe@dbsaboston.org
Think Tank
DBSAlliance.org “Think Tank”—Bring a question or topic for discussion at a one-hour Think Tank with other DBSA chapter leaders; or join in and share your thoughts on other peoples’ topics and questions. We ask that you register at least one day in advance. Contact DanaZoe@dbsaboston.org
January 8th, at 4 p.m. (PT) | 5 p.m. (MT) | 6 p.m. (CT) | 7 p.m. (ET)
The Chapter Leadership Connection (CLC) is a grassroots organization that brings together facilitators and chapter leadership from across the country into a group that discusses tips, ideas, and knowledge behind what we do. This is for facilitators, and chapter leadership only. It takes place every Wednesday, 1:00–2:00 p.m. ET. Contact DanaZoe@dbsaboston.org.
Next Level Thinking
Bring your facilitation skills to the next level by joining a 90-minute Next Level Thinking Session hosted by experienced Support Group Facilitator Trainers. Offered quarterly, session topics rotate based on feedback we get from our facilitators during training and Think Tanks. Any upcoming session details will be posted below. We invite you to join us and share the session information with your fellow facilitators.
Q1 NLT: Facilitator Open Dialogue on Active and Passive Suicide.
Presenter: National Support Group Facilitator Trainer Rhonda Greder (DBSA Colorado Springs)
This workshop will give Facilitators an opportunity to:
- Explore their fears and discomfort with other Facilitators when suicide is encountered or discussed in a support group.
- Brainstorm how we can address those fears and discomfort to feel more prepared and comfortable.
- Discuss best-practice facilitator procedures for facilitating a discussion about suicidal ideation and supporting a suicidal member with a plan and means.
February 19th, at 4 p.m. (PT) | 5 p.m. (MT) | 6 p.m. (CT) | 7 p.m. (ET)
Please register with Dana-Zoe.
Dana-Zoe Gest, Training Committee Chair, Facilitator, National Facilitator Trainer
DanaZoe@dbsaboston.org
Last updated 01/02/2026