Support Group Guidelines – In-Person

By attending a support group offered by DBSA Boston, you agree to comply with the following guidelines. It is your responsibility to read and familiarize yourself with the full guidelines which are posted on our website.

• DBSA Boston brings together people coping with mood disorders and their family and friends so that we can support each other through sharing and caring.
• We share our feelings, experiences and coping strategies by sharing only our personal experiences.
• We share the air. No one person should monopolize group time. If you would like to speak, please raise your hand and speak in turn.
• We treat all with compassion, do not judge or discriminate and respect the diversity of the group. This includes race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age and religion.
• We speak in “I” statements and do not impose our views on others.
• We maintain confidentiality; what we say here stays here. Note taking by participants is not allowed.
• We avoid the following topics: politics, graphic sexual themes, suicidal methods and details of traumatic events.
• Our support groups are not therapy groups. Our facilitators are not therapists but are trained volunteers whose primary goal is to maintain the safety and integrity of the group.
• Please do not use your cell phone during the meeting and ensure you keep your phone on silent or vibrate mode. If you need to make a call, please do
  so outside of the group.
• Parking is only permitted in the Oaks Lot which is located up the hill behind the De Marneffe Building. If you are disabled, you can park in the Bowditch Lot which is located next to the Admissions Building.
• McLean Hospital is a non-smoking hospital. Smoking of any kind (including vaping) is strictly prohibited on all McLean properties with no exceptions.
• By attending any DBSA Boston group, you agree to hold DBSA harmless for any potential break of confidentiality and/or discomfort within the group.
• If a group member is unable to follow the guidelines or needs more help than the group can offer, the facilitator may refer them to a support person or other resources or ask that they leave the meeting.
• If you feel any discomfort within the group, please contact the Share Care Committee at Share-Care@dbsaboston.org.