Thoughts on co-counselling (not couple counselling!)?

[ISOPeace]

I’ve been reading the Joyous Recovery, by Lundy Bancroft, which as you can imagine is all about recovering from abuse. Interestingly, it’s not one of those books that says you have to have left the relationship to benefit.

He recommends something called co-counselling (not couple counselling!). You work with another person (often a survivor, but doesn’t have to be) to take turns listening and generally offering a supportive, non-judgemental ear, not giving advice, just listening. The idea is that unlike traditional therapy, there’s no “me, the damaged one, you the one who can heal me”, so it’s a form of mutual healing and more natural for us. It works from the idea that we are meant to heal in community with others and that when we feel listened to in a caring way, we eventually feel safe enough to process the trauma.

A big benefit is that it doesn’t cost anything and doesn’t have a long NHS waiting list 😊

I wanted to share the concept in case people want to look into it themselves. I’m also interested if anyone has any experience of it and what people think of the idea. xxxx

[Living Warrior]

i have been to womens aid groups, where they run the power to change (again not just for those who have left) but it gives you knowledge about DV and its a safe space where everyone is equal and listened to, i found this extremely beneficial, i got to learn new tactics to make me stronger (i had left the relationship, but few hadnt) and by talking about my abuse, it helped me, and also others which made me feel even better. I do think it is important when healing to have someone to talk to, even if you dont want advice just a listening ear, but just becareful who you let in, womens aid have policies etc and the formality means you are safe, i opened up to a “friend” once and had that person tell my abuser what i had said, she didnt even know him b4 that he found her on facebook. so do becareful.

[KIP.]

Sounds a lot like this forum 😍

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