About us
This is a peer support group for adults healing from social anxiety, Complex-PTSD, loneliness, and the effects of growing up with narcissistic, emotionally unavailable, or invalidating parents or partners.
Many of us learned early to hide, stay quiet, or minimize our needs in order to survive. As adults, this can show up as anxiety in social situations, difficulty trusting ourselves or others, chronic self-doubt, or a deep sense of invisibility.
This group offers a safe, respectful space to:
- understand how these patterns formed
- explore how they continue to shape our lives
- and gently reconnect with what safety, connection, and a meaningful life might look like now
I’m a former therapist, author, and mental health professional who wrote Tell Me I’m Not Invisible: A Story of Social Anxiety, Attachment, and Complex-PTSD. While writing and storytelling may be included as optional tools, no one is expected to write or share.
What we explore
- Social anxiety and loneliness
- Complex-PTSD and attachment wounds
- Growing up with narcissistic or emotionally unavailable caregivers
- The impact of adult toxic or invalidating relationships
- Healing through understanding, compassion, and connection
This is a support group, not a therapy group.
There is no pressure to speak, perform, or “fix” anything.
You are welcome whether you talk, listen, reflect quietly, or participate at your own pace.
Everyone’s journey matters.
Disclaimer: Someone somehow got the impression that I was currently a licensed with some form of credentials that would make one a licensed therapist. I have never stated or implied that I was a therapist. I have also removed the word peer support group as there are Peer Support Specialists and as the host I am not claiming to be anyone's Peer Support Specialist.
I am a host who knows and has experienced all the things in this group - loneliness, social anxiety, Complex-PTSD & Narcissistic abuse. My past experience and past roles should NOT be equated with any offer of mental health services in a Meetup group format.
No one has stated in the group that they believed I was a therapist but someone outside the group spotted language that concerned them. That is why I am adding this very clear statement that I am not planning to act in the capacity of Peer Support Specialist or Therapist with any licensure that could be obtained.
Upcoming events
7
Support Grp Meeting for Social Anxiety, C-PTSD, Loneliness & Narcissistic Abuse
·OnlineOnlineThis meeting is for people navigating social anxiety, Complex-PTSD or developmental trauma, loneliness, attachment wounds, narcissistic abuse, emotional neglect, or difficult relationship patterns.
You do not need to identify with every topic in the title to attend. Some people may relate more to social anxiety, others to trauma, loneliness, attachment issues, narcissistic abuse, or simply the need for more support and understanding. What we share is the need for connection, safety, and support.
This is not a therapy group. It is a support group meeting where people can reflect, share experiences, listen, and learn from one another in a respectful environment.
At the beginning of the meeting, there will usually be an opportunity, completely optional, to share:
• what brings you to the group
• any past experiences with support groups or other forms of support
• what you are hoping to find, understand, or work toward
Sharing is always optional. Listening counts as participation.For this meeting, we may also discuss whether future sessions should include more structured resources, brief presentations, writing or reflection prompts, mindfulness or grounding exercises, or more open interactive discussion. The goal is for the group to evolve based on what members find helpful.
One resource we may introduce or discuss is Self-Therapy: Transform Stuck Parts of Yourself into Inner Resources of Strength, Love, and Freedom by Jay Earley, PhD, which is based on Internal Family Systems concepts. This is offered as a resource for discussion and self-reflection, not as a requirement and not as therapy.
The audiobook is here:
https://www.audible.com/pd/Self-Therapy-Audiobook/B00FPW7CTU### Donations
There is no cost to attend, and no one will ever be turned away. If you find the group helpful and are in a position to contribute, donations are appreciated through the pledge option on the event page. Contributions help cover the costs of running the group and support the development of additional resources for participants.
I have personally attended groups where I was not able to donate, so I understand completely if that is the case. Your presence is what matters most.
###
Additional writing and resources related to these themes:
https://bwlinks.me/nia
https://linktr.ee/brucewhealton1 attendeeSupport Grp Meeting for Social Anxiety, C-PTSD, Loneliness & Narcissistic Abuse
·OnlineOnlineThis meeting is for people navigating social anxiety, Complex-PTSD or developmental trauma, loneliness, attachment wounds, narcissistic abuse, emotional neglect, or difficult relationship patterns.
You do not need to identify with every topic in the title to attend. Some people may relate more to social anxiety, others to trauma, loneliness, attachment issues, narcissistic abuse, or simply the need for more support and understanding. What we share is the need for connection, safety, and support.
This is not a therapy group. It is a support group meeting where people can reflect, share experiences, listen, and learn from one another in a respectful environment.
At the beginning of the meeting, there will usually be an opportunity, completely optional, to share:
• what brings you to the group
• any past experiences with support groups or other forms of support
• what you are hoping to find, understand, or work toward
Sharing is always optional. Listening counts as participation.For this meeting, we may also discuss whether future sessions should include more structured resources, brief presentations, writing or reflection prompts, mindfulness or grounding exercises, or more open interactive discussion. The goal is for the group to evolve based on what members find helpful.
One resource we may introduce or discuss is Self-Therapy: Transform Stuck Parts of Yourself into Inner Resources of Strength, Love, and Freedom by Jay Earley, PhD, which is based on Internal Family Systems concepts. This is offered as a resource for discussion and self-reflection, not as a requirement and not as therapy.
The audiobook is here:
https://www.audible.com/pd/Self-Therapy-Audiobook/B00FPW7CTU### Donations
There is no cost to attend, and no one will ever be turned away. If you find the group helpful and are in a position to contribute, donations are appreciated through the pledge option on the event page. Contributions help cover the costs of running the group and support the development of additional resources for participants.
I have personally attended groups where I was not able to donate, so I understand completely if that is the case. Your presence is what matters most.
###
Additional writing and resources related to these themes:
https://bwlinks.me/nia
https://linktr.ee/brucewhealton1 attendeeSupport Grp Meeting for Social Anxiety, C-PTSD, Loneliness & Narcissistic Abuse
·OnlineOnlineThis meeting is for people navigating social anxiety, Complex-PTSD or developmental trauma, loneliness, attachment wounds, narcissistic abuse, emotional neglect, or difficult relationship patterns.
You do not need to identify with every topic in the title to attend. Some people may relate more to social anxiety, others to trauma, loneliness, attachment issues, narcissistic abuse, or simply the need for more support and understanding. What we share is the need for connection, safety, and support.
This is not a therapy group. It is a support group meeting where people can reflect, share experiences, listen, and learn from one another in a respectful environment.
At the beginning of the meeting, there will usually be an opportunity, completely optional, to share:
• what brings you to the group
• any past experiences with support groups or other forms of support
• what you are hoping to find, understand, or work toward
Sharing is always optional. Listening counts as participation.For this meeting, we may also discuss whether future sessions should include more structured resources, brief presentations, writing or reflection prompts, mindfulness or grounding exercises, or more open interactive discussion. The goal is for the group to evolve based on what members find helpful.
One resource we may introduce or discuss is Self-Therapy: Transform Stuck Parts of Yourself into Inner Resources of Strength, Love, and Freedom by Jay Earley, PhD, which is based on Internal Family Systems concepts. This is offered as a resource for discussion and self-reflection, not as a requirement and not as therapy.
The audiobook is here:
https://www.audible.com/pd/Self-Therapy-Audiobook/B00FPW7CTU### Donations
There is no cost to attend, and no one will ever be turned away. If you find the group helpful and are in a position to contribute, donations are appreciated through the pledge option on the event page. Contributions help cover the costs of running the group and support the development of additional resources for participants.
I have personally attended groups where I was not able to donate, so I understand completely if that is the case. Your presence is what matters most.
###
Additional writing and resources related to these themes:
https://bwlinks.me/nia
https://linktr.ee/brucewhealton1 attendeeSupport Grp Meeting for Social Anxiety, C-PTSD, Loneliness & Narcissistic Abuse
·OnlineOnlineThis meeting is for people navigating social anxiety, Complex-PTSD or developmental trauma, loneliness, attachment wounds, narcissistic abuse, emotional neglect, or difficult relationship patterns.
You do not need to identify with every topic in the title to attend. Some people may relate more to social anxiety, others to trauma, loneliness, attachment issues, narcissistic abuse, or simply the need for more support and understanding. What we share is the need for connection, safety, and support.
This is not a therapy group. It is a support group meeting where people can reflect, share experiences, listen, and learn from one another in a respectful environment.
At the beginning of the meeting, there will usually be an opportunity, completely optional, to share:
• what brings you to the group
• any past experiences with support groups or other forms of support
• what you are hoping to find, understand, or work toward
Sharing is always optional. Listening counts as participation.For this meeting, we may also discuss whether future sessions should include more structured resources, brief presentations, writing or reflection prompts, mindfulness or grounding exercises, or more open interactive discussion. The goal is for the group to evolve based on what members find helpful.
One resource we may introduce or discuss is Self-Therapy: Transform Stuck Parts of Yourself into Inner Resources of Strength, Love, and Freedom by Jay Earley, PhD, which is based on Internal Family Systems concepts. This is offered as a resource for discussion and self-reflection, not as a requirement and not as therapy.
The audiobook is here:
https://www.audible.com/pd/Self-Therapy-Audiobook/B00FPW7CTU### Donations
There is no cost to attend, and no one will ever be turned away. If you find the group helpful and are in a position to contribute, donations are appreciated through the pledge option on the event page. Contributions help cover the costs of running the group and support the development of additional resources for participants.
I have personally attended groups where I was not able to donate, so I understand completely if that is the case. Your presence is what matters most.
###
Additional writing and resources related to these themes:
https://bwlinks.me/nia
https://linktr.ee/brucewhealton1 attendee
Past events
20
