Classic Program: Starter Facilitator Handbook for Healing Groups

THE PEOPLE INVOLVED Often facilitators like to work in teams of two, especially if more than one lesson will be covered at a time, but one facilitator can lead a small group of six to twelve people that meets for a few hours. If the group is larger than twelve, divide into smaller groups of around six for the discussions and exercises so that everyone has an opportunity to participate. Each small group should have a facilitator. If you have a healing group of six to eight participants, break into small groups of two or three from time to time. A group should be made up of people who are able to discuss the topics together comfortably. This varies according to the culture, but if women cannot speak in the presence of men, or youth in the presence of elders, organize separate healing groups. People do not necessarily need to share the same kind of trauma to form a healing group. The effects of trauma and paths of healing are similar regardless of the source of the trauma. HEALING GROUP LOGISTICS Get authorization to hold healing groups from the appropriate leaders. Participants can be personally invited to a healing group, or it can be announced publicly. A flier template is available on the Trauma Healing Institute website that can be customized to announce a healing group. The group can meet in a home or a room at a church. Participants should be seated in a way that allows them to interact with each other: in a circle, or around a table. Singing together is helpful at a trauma healing session. The group can agree on whether or not refreshments are served and if so, how to do it. Start and stop the sessions at the times agreed on. If some participants want to continue discussing beyond the time agreed on, close the meeting to allow people to leave. Then those who choose to stay can resume the discussion. Be sure that all participants are able to understand the language(s) being used in the sessions. Interpretation may be necessary. Provide any written materials in the language(s) participants read. Healing groups are part of a local ministry and should not require external funding, except possibly for the materials. In many cases, participants or local sources can cover the costs of at least the Scripture Companion Booklet . Sometimes after people have participated in a healing group, they decide they would like to become facilitators. They can then attend a full equipping session, or have a certified facilitator lead them through a review of the Healing the Wounds lessons and cover the program logistics topics.

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Classic Program Facilitator Handbook