Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site ttidcc.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!ttidca!ttidcc!hollombe From: hollombe@ttidcc.UUCP (Jerry Hollombe) Newsgroups: net.singles Subject: The net as encounter group -- comments? Message-ID: <205@ttidcc.UUCP> Date: Tue, 29-Jan-85 17:51:41 EST Article-I.D.: ttidcc.205 Posted: Tue Jan 29 17:51:41 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 3-Feb-85 00:38:23 EST Organization: TTI, Santa Monica, CA. Lines: 54 >From: haas@utah-gr.UUCP (Walt Haas) >Subject: Re: js >Message-ID: <1316@utah-gr.UUCP> > > ... After my divorce several years ago I >was in a T group for a few months, with the result that some similar >issues which I had were resolved fairly nicely. Based on this >experience, I would think that a T group type of environment might >help Jeff. Can the net function as a T group? I don't know, but >the idea sounds interesting. Usually, however, a T group has a >couple of professional counselors, a man and a woman, who keep the >group focused on real issues and prevent it from becoming just a >party. I don't know if the net has anybody like that available. >How about it, does anybody else have T group experience? I've been in a number of psychological growth group situations ranging from simple, gentle encounter up through nude sessions in a body-temperature pool. I've also functioned as a group leader/facilitator/counselor on a number of occasions and had some training as such (Master's in Clinical Psychology). My first reaction to this suggestion was that it's probably a bad idea and that the net isn't an appropriate medium for such activities. On further reflection, I realized I had no data to back that up with. I personally think it would be difficult to run a group without the feedback of face to face body-language. On the other hand, no one has ever tried such a thing as far as I know. The idea interests me. I might even be willing to volunteer my services as facilitator, subject to group approval. If I do, I would want to arrange for my activities as such to be supervised by a professional psychologist, probably one of my former professors. I think that to do this correctly, the group would probably have to be moderated. Best would be a mailing list to help preserve confidentiality. (Assuming the group wants confidentiality. We could make this a drop-in free-for-all, I suppose. It's hard to build up any group trust that way, but maybe that's less of a factor in the net environment.) At very least, we'd want our own news group so things don't get cluttered with extraneous postings. This has some real possibilities and I'm sure I've not seen all the ramifications yet. What does everyone/anyone else think? Any volunteers for co-facilitator (preferably with training/experience)? Let's at least discuss it. -- ============================================================================== The Polymath (Jerry Hollombe) Citicorp TTI If thy CRT offend thee, pluck 3100 Ocean Park Blvd. it out and cast it from thee. Santa Monica, California 90405 (213) 450-9111, ext. 2483 {vortex,philabs}!ttidca!ttidcc!hollombe