What we’re about
Almost straight but not 100%
Bi-curious?
Attracted to other men and struggling with your feelings?
Heterosexual lifestyle and straight identity and having sex with men?
Not out? (Down low)
About to come out?
Just out?
Just left your female partner - what now?
If you can answer yes to any of these questions - this group is for you. Meet other like-minded men in the same position as you, with very similar feelings and issues.
THIS GROUP IS PRIVATE SO YOU CAN HAVE PEACE OF MIND KNOWING THAT THE PUBLIC WON'T SEE YOUR MEMBERSHIP.
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lgbtq_menswellnesssupport?igsh=aDFmYjhzb3pzYWpm&utm_source=qr
HEY HEY HEY ! WE ARE BACK at the City Lit College in Covent Garden!
Where do we meet and really connect with other Not Out men in London? We Do in Room 113 at the City Lit College.
We're beside oureselves with joy, celebrating being back at our original and best home since long before the pandemic!
The City Lit College next to Holborn tube - Covent Garden side, is having us back with their great space and facilities for workshops - in Room 113!
The workshop runs from 06:30 - 8:00 PM
1-10 Keeley St, London WC2B 4BA
Come as you are, straight after work.
About the facilitator
This group is facilitated by Dan S. a state registered Creative Arts Therapist with over 23 years experience working in London, with own private practice and NHS contracted.
'In my counselling work with men in London, individually and in groups, I have witnessed that there clearly is a need for a group such as this one were men who are experiencing the challenges of dealing with their feelings of same sex attraction, get together sharing their feelings and experiences whilst also supporting each other. Realising how you really feel can be a very confusing and challenging experience; as well as finding out what to do with your brave new world, and how to be in it'. Dan
PRIVACY - NO NEED TO WORRY:
THIS GROUP IS PRIVATE and you can add yourself to our group without a picture of yourself, if you prefer to be discreet and you can chose to use parts of your name, your initials or a made up name. You can also make your interests and the groups you belong to private on MeetUp, so that others can see those. This is a group which truthfully reaches out and wants to include a large rage of men, also those who wouldn't normally discuss their sexuality with others. When online, or in a physical space, you will be with men who have very similar experiences to you.
STATISTICS:
We now know that these feelings are a lot more common than first assumed:
1 in 2 young people say they are not 100% heterosexual \
Asked to plot themselves on a 'sexuality scale', 23% of British people choose something other than 100% heterosexual – and the figure rises to 49% among 18-24 year olds. \
See YouGov: https://yougov.co.uk/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2015/08/16/half-young-not-heterosexual
You are not alone: this is a group where you are invited to share your thoughts and feelings in a secure and safe environment with like-minded and supportive men. You decide how much you feel comfortable about sharing - you're in charge.
COMMUNITY:
It is a therapeutic discussion group for men with an opportunity to be social afterwards for a local drink and to be part of a supportive community, if you so choose.
WHEN:
TIME: 6:30 - 8:00 pm
FEE:
£10 - Covent Garden (City Lit College)
https://www.paypal.me/wellnesssupport
OR easy card payment online:
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLG8ZV8FJJDYS/checkout/DK4VVAQGAV3LIM2K5V4JIX2Y
Please note that it will still say 'unpaid' even when you have payed. I am aware that you have paid. It is just a technical thing from MeetUp.
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OBJECTIVE OF THE GROUP:
This group has not been created to necessarily encourage you to come out as a person identifying as gay or bisexual but to think about your life and the things that makes you happy and the things that don’t, as well as what you want and what you don’t want in life. Everyone feels different and what you want and decide is personal to you. You may want to come out or indeed not to come out, (if it's not right for you) both choices are equally valid and fully accepted in this group; but we are here to offer a space for you to discuss how you feel, supported by other like minded men in the same position.
Don’t be alone with your feelings. We believe that acknowledging how you are is important and that sharing your thoughts and feelings with others is always the better option. Here are the most common 7 steps to accepting your own feelings:
Sensing and discovering feelings of same sex attraction
Denial of feelings (Thoughts: ‘everyone feels that way periodically’ - it’s just a fase’ - ‘I really like girls deep down’)
Realisation of feelings and grievance (Thoughts: ‘these feelings just won’t go away’)
Anxiety or depression (Thoughts: ‘I am not that way - I am not a typical gay/bi guy’ - ‘what am I going to do with myself?, I don’t fit in with the gay nor the hetero-normative world’)
Acknowledging your feelings - Processing thoughts further (Thoughts: ‘this is how I feel, it’s a fact’)
Accepting oneself - forgiving and loving yourself for who you are.
Taking action: A. coming out or B. not coming out deciding not to share feelings of sexual attraction with others, C. sharing with some people and not others.
GROUP AGREEMENT:
By taking part in our meetings online or face to face you are agreeing to the following:
MUTUAL RESPECT
Giving equal space
Not interrupting others
No judgement - accepting others opinion
CONFIDENTIALITY
No gossiping about what has been talked about
No sharing of others confidential/personal information outside the group
HOUSEKEEPING
Mobile phones off during sessions
Do attempt to be on time
PERSONAL AND GROUP DEVELOPMENT
Allow yourself to explore emotionally and creatively
Be courageous in supporting others
Take collective responsibility for a safe environment
MORE ABOUT DAN:
Dan is a state registered and NHS contracted dramatherapist and clinical supervisor with 23 years experience in London, working with young people and adults and runs his own private practice as a Creative Arts Psychotherapist in London Bridge and ONLINE.
Dan has worked with men and women who experience domestic abuse, in the London Borough of Greenwich for the charity ‘Tryangle Project 2011’, where Augusto Boal’s Psych-Educational Forum Theatre was at the heart of the work. He has run regular workshops for for the charity 'Positive East' in East London and written and directed plays for London Pride events.
Dan teaches Introduction to Dramatherapy at the established City Literary Institute in Covent Garden throughout the year. He previously worked at ‘Studio Upstairs’ - the arts community with a therapeutic concern for 8 years, where he facilitated the psycho-therapeutic performance group in a mental health setting, as well as also supervising students and volunteers.
Dan facilitates several ongoing Creative Arts Psychotherapy groups for men - and couples. Feel free to contact Dan regarding any psychological and emotional issues you may have. Dan will try to offer you a 30 minute FREE one to one conversation online or face to face at his practice, if you'd like that.
https://www.creative-arts-psychotherapy.com...