Creating a peer-led support group saved my life and I have been giving back for almost three years leading two groups in person here in Colorado. When I first learned about narcissistic abuse I joined a therapist-led support group, it cost $750 for an eight-week session and was not sustainable for me financially. It was powerful to remind me of the power of community, so I set out to create a support group.

Once I decided to start a group, I set it up online to open that door to get new members. I had no idea how they would find me or if they would come. My early recovery stage was a concern for me, so I reached out to every meetup leader I could find across the country. I hungered for them to share with me what they learned, how they run their groups and I wanted to know what people would need. I needed to learn if I could cause them harm, I felt the huge responsibility, so I wanted a plan.

That education was valuable and gave me great ideas from not to forget to bring tissues to how often they met and how many people came, where they met and how to not let the members lean on me too much that I get sucked into their drama. I didn’t know it then, but I was setting a new course in my life.