Group counselling is really vulnerable, I feel you! The norms around counselling are so individualized; society tells us that we have to suffer in silence and alone.

There is such incredible power in group counselling. Research shows it is just as effective, if not more effective, than individual counselling.

Sharing space with others who have similar experiences and can implicitly understand parts of your identity is nothing short of magical.

There can be so much growth in vulnerability <3

Each person gets to decide how much you participate in the group. Of course we each show up how we need to on a given day, and a group process requires a certain amount of buy-in from participants. I always hold a group guideline of take space/make space, meaning to take a step back for others if you know you participate lots, and to step forward if you know you tend to be more reserved.

It's expected for folks to have their camera on (exceptions can be made, but camera on is the baseline). It can feel super vulnerable, and I definitely recommend hiding your self view! If it were an in-person meeting you'd be expected to be in the room, not the hallway.

I think it's also really powerful to be able to see one another, especially in this context of building safe, fat relationships! When do fat bodies get to share non-judgmental space? It's rare!

Check in with your insurer to see if your extended benefits will cover this group. It varies from province and territory. Make sure you indicate that it's group counselling provided by a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC).

I can accept e-transfer or credit card payments. I ask everyone to keep a credit card on their file for back-up.

Folks have the option of paying in 1, 2, or 3 equal installments. Participants get to decide how many payment they'd like their fee divided into.

• First payment is due on, Monday, March 11th.

• If there's a 2nd payment, it will be due on Monday, April 1st.

• If there's a 3rd payment, it will be due on Monday, April 22nd.

Yes! There are a maximum of two spaces available at $400+GST for folks who would otherwise not be able to afford the group. Please send me an email if you're in need of sliding scale: alexandra (at) selkiecounselling.ca

Unfortunately the group is limited to just folks in Canada due to insurance restraints.

If you're outside of Canada, you're welcome to come to Fat-Tea meetings! Their monthly peer meetings to connect with other fat folks and you can find out more here :)

The Fat-Tea is a free, monthly meeting available to fat folks all around the world to gather and discuss a particular topic for 90 minutes. It is an open group, meaning that anyone on the sign-up list can attend (or not) any of the meetings. Anyone who signs up can attend. While the meetings have a topic and myself or Alli P are at all of them, it is not a therapeutic or facilitated group. It is very open to the participants to guide the meetings.

Fat Collective: Exploring is an 8-week, closed, counselling group for folks 19+ in Canada. This means that there is a pre-determined, interviewed group of people who come every week for the duration. While the space is collaborative, it is facilitated by Alexandra, who will presenting on different topics, keep track of time, open and close each session, ask reflective (often personal) questions to members, and facilitate group conversations. There is a cost associated with this group, as it is a counselling service.