retrospec support group!

[flowrite]

Fiacre Lachance 6/14 near Tribunal Terrace

Hello everyone! I think I know several of you by now, but for those I don't, my name is Fai Lachance. I'm a social worker here in Recollé--primarily I work with children in the foster system, or families going through the adoption process, but I do a little bit of everything depending on what the office needs me for. Tony Carter (yes, that Tony Carter!) recently contacted me about offering therapy services to Retrospec users. Some of you may not be aware, but clinical social workers are the single largest group of mental health providers in this country! Unfortunately I'm still a year away from getting my clinical license and I want everyone to know that up front, but I do have training for this and I'm willing to help, if anyone would like it. I know a lot of us are going through some pretty intense stuff right now. Bad memories, physical changes, skills or abilities we didn't have before and may not understand. I can't pretend to have a fix for all of that, but what I would like to do it set up a sort of Retrospec support group. A place where you can go and meet other people in person, and feel safe doing it, and not feel alone in all of this. If you want to talk about your memories or concerns or anything, someone will be there to listen. And if not, you can just show up and listen and know that other people understand what you're going through. Please let me know if you'd be interested in a meet-up, or possibly a continuing series of them! Mr. Carter is looking into a space for us, something a little more secure than the usual support group. If there's not enough interest in a large group, or if anyone feels the need aside from the large group, I can also offer small group sessions or one-on-one counselling. Just let me know your thoughts on any of this please, so we can plan out what works best for everyone! Any questions, or any thoughts at all, please let me know! And thanks for your time (◕◡◕✿)

((ooc: disclaimer!! Fai is studying psychology and therapy practice, I am not. I'll do what research I can, but please bear with me ♥))

Comments

[flowrite]

Exactly! As much as everyone here loves to pick on our good friend Jim, we need to be taking care of ourselves. And with some of the abilities people are displaying, it could potentially be devastating if someone were to lose control of themselves due to stress or anguish.

[true_noir]

And there is a difference between emotional and psychological support and actual training in using a power or practice with weapons. The two are not the same thing, are they?

[flowrite]

Right. It sounds like people are starting to get together to help each other train with their abilities anyway, I'm more interested in making sure they don't feel like freaks or don't feel isolated because of what they can do.

That said, if people want to use the opportunity to make connections to train, so much the better, right?

[true_noir]

The combination of support won't hurt. I know of several who struggle because they worry that everyone will stare, and they worry more later because nobody but those on the app stares. It's a disassociation I can't imagine is easy to deal with.

And yes, it is a good chance for that as well. Social networking at its finest.

[flowrite]

I have to admit, even I find the disconnect between what I'm seeing and what everyone else reacts to kind of... jarring. And nothing physical has happened to me except my little light trick, which is easy enough to hide. (I mean, there was the tiny thing, but that was everyone)

The old fashioned way, you mean? (◠‿◠✿)

[true_noir]

Nothing quite like the old fashioned way, if you ask me. And I am glad you haven't had to suffer much in the way of physical changes. They're quite jarring, even if they're positive in nature.

[flowrite]

I'm sure I can't even imagine. The memories have been bad enough for me. But that's why it's so important to get as many of us together as possible, I think, so none of us feel alone.

[true_noir]

You feel like a foreigner in your own body. Yeah, it's neat to be able to mount a gymnast's horse and whip around it like I'm some olympic wash out, but I never used to be able to do it. sometimes, my body just feels like I don't even know it.

Like you said, we have to be there for each other.

[flowrite]

I suppose the only equivalent I have is my eye color, although a lot of other people are dealing with that one too. But it's still so strange to look in the mirror and see grey.

And like you told me back when we were tiny, we'll get through this. Things will get back to normal. Or at least... normal-ish. Less weird. I hope ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[true_noir]

I can only imagine. I've been fortunate in this, but several friends haven't, and that worries me. But you're right. We can get through this. We have to.