Complex PTSD, Trauma, Narcissistic Abuse & Grief Survivors

**ONLY FOR ESTABLISHED MEMBERS**

This session will focus on coping strategies for trauma survivors, offering support for victims of domestic violence, adult survivors of child abuse, and those navigating narcissistic abuse recovery. Experienced speakers will delve into topics like emotional trauma, PTSD, healing from abusive relationships, and the struggles faced in day to day life. Gain insights on narcissism awareness, healthy living practices, and ways to overcome the impact of breaking trauma bonds developed during abuse. Whether you are going through a divorce, getting over a breakup, or struggling with codependency issues, this event is designed to provide a safe space for growth and healing. Connect with fellow survivors, share your story, and learn valuable tools for moving forward on your journey towards empowerment and resilience.

About Host:
I was in a 15 year toxic, abusive relationship with my ex for all of my adult life. When the cycle finally came to a stop, and he moved on, I felt like my world had crashed aroundme. The hardest question to answer was "what do you like to do?" I realized that I didn't know who I was anymore because for so long my likes were his likes, and my favorite things were his favorite things. I had given up every part of me to be able to be what he needed me to be. Something as simple as trying pickles on my burger was a re-learning expierence for me. I struggled finding my own identity, lost on who I wanted to be now that I could be whoever I wanted. But more importantly I felt completely alone and abandonded. That's when I found this group and was suprised to find that there were other people out there going through similiar situations, and relieved to know that I wasn't the crazy one in the relationship. Attending these meetings and being able to openly share my experiences with this group has made navigating thru life so much easier. Regaining my self-confidence, being able to hold my head up, and learning how to take my power back has been one of the hardest, yet most rewarding, things I have ever done for myself. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Rules:
1. You must have attended a first timers meeting in order to be able to attend
2. Raise your hand if you having something you would like to add/share with the group
3. Please be respectful towards each person as they share. No cross-talk, rude comments, abusive or racial slurs, or invalidating responses (this kind of behavior will get you dropped from the meeting)
4. Camera must be on AT ALL TIMES throughout the entire meeting (we don't necessarily need to see your face but your camera must be on. This is non-negotiable) Also, if you are not the one sharing please make sure your microphone is muted
5. Please do not reach out and message anyone from the meeting afterwards on your own time (if you would like to connect with anyone privately please message me first and I will reach out to the person on your behalf)
6. Be supportive to everyone in the group and be sympathetic to the fact that most people are in different stages of their healing process than you might be, and that's ok

~ZOOM links will be sent via email (to the email you signed up with) or through your messages on MeetUp the morning of!~

A weekly expressive writing and sharing group

A participatory group centered on writing between meetings and sharing in a supportive, non-fixing space.

A weekly space to write the letters you were never allowed to send.

The Open Letter Project is a creative, expressive, and supportive group built around open-letter prompts that you work with throughout the week, then bring back to share and reflect on together.

Each week, you’ll receive one open-letter prompt.

You sit with it.
Think about it.
Write when it feels right.
Let it organize what’s been swirling inside.

The meeting itself is not for writing.
It’s for sharing what you’ve already written, reading aloud if you choose, and reflecting on what putting it into words unlocked.

This is not a traditional journaling group.

It’s expressive writing, verbalizing prepared thoughts, and being witnessed.

What makes this group different

Many people struggle to express themselves clearly in the moment. Thoughts jump around. Words disappear mid-sentence. Attention shifts to other people’s reactions instead of staying with what you’re trying to say.

Writing first changes that.

This group is intentionally structured around writing before the meeting, so you’re not forced to process or explain yourself on the spot. Writing allows you to complete a thought without interruption, self-editing, or pressure.

Over time, bringing written thoughts into a verbal space helps build confidence and makes speaking easier in smaller, more manageable spurts.

Active participation in this group includes engaging with the weekly prompt through writing, in whatever way works for you.

Examples of open-letter prompts may include:
• An open letter to your anxiety
• An open letter to your younger self
• An open letter to the person who never protected you
• An open letter to your inner critic
• An open letter to the version of you that survived everything

Some prompts will be light.
Some will be deep.
Some will be both.

Prompts may come from group themes, participant suggestions, or the facilitator, and are always offered with care and intention.

Where this came from

The Open Letter Project grew out of my own healing process.

For much of my life, I struggled to express what I felt out loud. Even with safe people, I often froze, lost my train of thought, or became overwhelmed trying to make myself understood.

Writing became a bridge.

By writing first, I could organize my thoughts, finish what I wanted to say, and then bring those words into a shared space. Over time, my voice grew stronger, and being witnessed in that process made real change possible.

This group is built on that same practice:

Write first.
Then speak.
Then be seen.

What to expect

Each meeting includes:
• A brief check-in
• Sharing from the previous week’s writing
• Group reflection and discussion (no fixing or advice-giving)
• Selection of the next open-letter prompt for the coming week

Sharing is always optional. You may read your letter, read an excerpt, summarize what you wrote, or simply listen. There is no pressure to perform and no expectation to share anything you’re not ready to share.

This is a non-fixing space focused on presence, clarity, and being witnessed.

Who this group is for

This group is for people who:
• Want to express themselves more clearly
• Struggle with off-the-cuff verbal processing
• Feel scattered or overwhelmed when explaining their thoughts out loud
• Want a structured but relaxed way to practice using their voice
• Are open to using writing as a tool for self-expression and growth

You do not need to be a writer.
You do not need perfect grammar.
You just need a willingness to engage with the process.

**Established Members Only: Must have attended first timers' meeting**

This is a support group focused on using journalling as a tool to heal from trauma.

As survivors of narcissistic abuse, the story we tell ourselves about who we are and what we've faced can be an incredibly powerful way to take back a narrative that was stolen from us.

Writing out thoughts and feelings is also an extremely effective way to reduce stress while processing complicated and layered emotions, which all of us with CPTSD can find difficult to manage. It can be very helpful with organising a lot of the overwhelming chaos and noise we often feel in our brains, as well as a super cathartic way to safely express yourself.

PARTICIPATING
What you choose to share in this group is very much up to you, loosely based around the topic of journalling. You can read out a journal entry you've written in the previous week or at any other point in your life, talk about your struggles with journalling, what you've found to be helpful - or really anything you're feeling like sharing. I want this to be a safe space for you to express yourself and heal.

ABOUT ME
I am a survivor of childhood trauma and abuse, throughout which I kept diaries, wrote stories and journalled much of what I was going through. I believe it was one of the things that kept me sane when it felt like the entire world was falling apart. It helped remind me who I was at my very core, even as everyone around me seemed determined to take that away.

That said, I have also struggled to journal consistently, despite knowing how helpful it has been. I know what it's like when you're unable to force yourself to write, and so hopefully can share some strategies on how to overcome those difficulties through what I've personally found helpful.

I'm very interested in what everyone else's experiences in the group have been - so please do join me! Xx

**ZOOM LINKS WILL BE SENT OUT THE DAY OF THE MEETING VIA YOUR MEETUP MESSAGES**

GROUP RULES
1. Do not contact other members directly without first going through an organizer. This is a big safety issue. We want to make sure contact is wanted. TELL AN ORGANIZER IMMEDIATELY if someone contacts you without consent. We take that very seriously here. Please WRITE to an organizer through Meetup. Please refrain from asking openly in the zoom meeting because it can put people on the spot. Also, don’t share personal contact information in any public forum for your own safety.
2. Recognize we are PEERS not professionals or experts. We are not psychologists, attorneys, or medical doctors. This group should be in conjunction with one-on-one therapy. Never a substitute. We cannot create a feeling of perfect safety, so one must largely manage one's own triggers by muting or signing out for a period. We are volunteers and cannot give any one member personal time. The beauty of the group is to get multiple perspectives.
3. Cameras must be ON and microphones should stay muted until it is your turn to share. Unless you write to an organizer with a reason to have it off in advance. Having it off for brief periods is allowed as long as your camera remains on for the vast majority of the meeting.
4. We are all-inclusive here. No matter what race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious or political affiliation, we accept everyone. We have many people on the spectrum and we do give extra time to share. Thank you for understanding. We will not tolerate derogatory language towards any population of people. No stereotyping or making sweeping statements. Also, do not bring up race, gender or any other identity unless you are of that identity.
5. Please use “I” statements, unless people explicitly ask for advice. People are in different situations, and different things help different people. We support one another with compassion rather than judgement, so please be careful about telling someone what they should do.
6. Do not bring up controversial topics unrelated to narcissism/trauma/CPTSD.
7. Please RAISE YOUR HAND and you will be called on when it is your turn. There will be no interrupting one another, or talking over someone else.
8. Do not raise your voice at another member or the organizer. Behavior like this will get you kicked out of the group immediately.
9. No soliciting or peddling of products.
**We appreciate you following the rules and respecting everyone's healing process!**

This is a support group for those who have survived an abusive relationship with a narcissist or are currently in one and need support. The cycle of abuse from the lovebombing to the trauma bond to the devaluation to the discard is never-ending and makes you feel alone.

Video MUST be on so everyone can feel comfortable. THIS EVENT IS FOR ESTABLISHED MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY - IF YOU HAVE NOT ATTENDED ONE OF OUR MEETINGS, PLEASE SIGN UP FOR ONE OF OUR MANY FIRST TIMERS EVENTS POSTED. YOU WILL BE FREE TO SIGN UP FOR THESE EVENTS IN THE FUTURE AFTER YOU HAVE ATTENDED THAT EVENT. THIS IS TO ENSURE CONFIDENTIALITY, ATTENDANCE AND COMMUNITY SAFETY. THANK YOU x

Meeting will open with a short informal introduction of everyone and then will open to sharing. It's a safe, supportive environment where you're not forced to share and I look forward to meeting everyone.

ZOOM LINK TO BE SENT JUST PRIOR TO THE EVENT VIA EMAIL - PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR EMAIL IS UP TO DATE WITH MEETUP.