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What is a Practice Group?
A group of OEFT members who work together to strengthen and deepen their connection and communication with the Unseen Therapist. Practice groups bring the OEFT course material alive!
Benefits of Being in a Practice Group
Opportunity to hone OEFT skills
Deepen communication with the Unseen Therapist
Develop your intuition
Increases trust both in yourself and in members
Connection and a greater sense of community
GETTING STARTED: HOW TO PUT A GREAT GROUP TOGETHER
Groups can be organized by:
Type of member
A group of people with similar interests can get together to form a practice group. For instance, a group of advanced OEFT students looking for practice opportunities might form a group. Alternatively, physicians or mental health practitioners may form a group to focus on how to bring OEFT into their work.
Newbies: a note of caution here: You might consider having at least one experienced member to handle any challenging situations that might arise.
Topic
Studying the 30 Advanced Lessons together, watching the Self-Help Videos while engaging in the Immerse-ucation process, practice working with Unseen Therapist together.
Time Zone
Some groups form around a geographical location such as West Coast of North America or Eastern Europe, so that the time differences between members' locations are minimal. Other groups include people from many countries on different continents. For those groups, it is important to establish a common timeframe.One quick way to do this is to use a Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) converter such as World Time Buddy (https://www.worldtimebuddy.com)
Any combination of the above
The Importance of Focus
Once you have chosen how to structure the group, it is important to stay focused on what you all agreed to do to. That way you will get what you initially desired from the group. A common complaint in some practice groups is that after a while the group slowly lets go of what they agreed to do and falls into the habit of just chatting about what is going on in their lives.
No matter what type of group you choose or what the focus, remember the Unseen Therapist is lovingly using this opportunity to guide us to growth.
Whatever types of group activities you choose as your focus, in the end they are all springboards to deepening your relationship with the Unseen Therapist.
FIRST SESSION
Before the first meeting, it is a good idea for group members to identify exactly what they want from a practice group, and what they hope to accomplish. It helps to create a list to bring to the first session. This will help the discussion about how each group member's needs will be met moving forward.
If you need help, remember that there may be experienced OEFT members with group experience who are willing to attend the first few sessions to help the group get off to a good start, to avoid "teething problems."
Group members introduce themselves to each other.
Discuss how each group members' needs will be met through the group.
Group members discuss what they want from the group, what they are interested in accomplishing.
Create a group structure based on the above discussions.
Here are some ideas that are being used by groups in the OEFT community. Remember these are just suggestions. Be creative! Ask the Unseen Therapist to guide your way!
30 Advanced Lessons (See the Full Course)
Read a lesson during the week, make notes about your reactions and thoughts, then discuss the lesson in your group. If your group chooses to allot time each session to work directly with the Unseen Therapist, reading a lesson on your own before group ensures that you will have enough time for that work; or The group can read one lesson together using Share Screen, then discuss it together. No matter how well you think you know the lessons, studying them together with a group gives a deeper understanding.
Immerse-ucation Process using the Self- Help Sessions
The group can watch one of the videos together using a shared screen and pause the video whenever anyone has an emotional reaction to the content, regardless of the intensity of that reaction, even if it is as low as a .5 out of ten.
Spending Time Working with the Unseen Therapist
No matter which of the above topics the group chooses as its focus, communicating with Unseen Therapist is central to growing in your use of OEFT.
Some groups use what's called the Loving Hotseat (or the Hotseat or even the Love Seat) where one group member is the focus person for that session. Often, they bring a specific issue to put on the table. In the early stages of the group, it might be more comfortable to begin with simple issues. Once trust has built, it will feel safer to delve into deeper issues. For example, in one group, the first member to share her issue chose a sugar craving to work on with the Unseen Therapist.
After the issue is put on the table, group members ask questions to help the focus person explore all aspects of the issue and to become more specific. Then the group invites the Unseen Therapist to bring peace and healing to the issues on the table. Unseen Therapist often gives interesting messages and images to the group members who then share what they experienced with the group. The messages, even though they are meant for the person in the Loving Hotseat, often resonate with other group members.
Spending time with Unseen Therapist in a group setting speeds up healing and learning. Hearing others' questions and guided messages offers us more opportunities to be aware of our blind spots.
Gary has emphasized throughout the OEFT course the importance of being specific when working with the Unseen Therapist. One benefit of the Loving Hotseat is that you have the other group member's input and questions to help you be more specific.
Decide how long each session will be.
Most groups meet for an hour to an hour and a half. Obviously, the more group members you have, the longer the sessions tend to last. Just make sure you have enough time so that everyone has an opportunity to talk.
How will you structure the time?
This depends on what you plan on doing in group. For example, some groups study the 30 Lessons together for the first half of the meeting, and then work with the Unseen Therapist for the second half. Others just spend the time working with the Unseen Therapist. Don't forget you could ask the Unseen Therapist for advice on the best way to structure the group's time.
Some groups use what's called the Loving Hotseat (or the Hotseat or even the Love Seat) where one group member is the focus person for that session. Often, they bring a specific issue to put on the table. Group members ask questions to help the focus person explore all aspects of the issue and to become more specific. Then the group invites the Unseen Therapist to bring peace and healing to the issues on the table.
The Unseen Therapist often gives interesting messages and images to the group members who then share what they experienced with the group. The messages, even though they are meant for the person in the Loving Hotseat, often resonate with other group members.
Spending time with Unseen Therapist in a group setting speeds up healing and learning. Hearing others' questions and guided messages offers us more opportunities to be aware of our blind spots.
Leadership
Not all groups have a designated leader, but if you do choose to have one, here are some ideas. Decide on what type of leader you want for your group. There are many possibilities. You might decide on having a group leader, especially if there is someone in the group with a lot of personal or professional experience. Or, you might rotate leadership weekly.
Decide on group rules in the beginning
Group rules engender a sense of security and safety, especially considering the intimacy of information that can be shared in these groups. For example:
Whatever is said in this room stays in this "room."
No judgment or criticism
No advice giving (that's Unseen Therapist's job!)
To Record or Not to Record
Some groups record when someone can't attend, so they may watch later. Not everyone is comfortable with recording sessions, so discuss this amongst yourselves to find a solution should anyone object. Also, all must be clear about what will be done with the recording once downloaded.
Once a recording is made, you need to establish how the recording will be sent to other group members. Usually, these recording files are too large to be sent as an email attachment, so one group member saves the video recording to one of the cloud storage services and then shares the file by emailing a link to the other group members.
Decide on Video Platform
The following information is subject to change over time, so check each platform's current information before deciding.
Factors to Consider in choosing a platform
Cost - Some are free but limit the amount of time a meeting can last. A free Zoom account, for example, allows for 40 minutes. At 40 minutes, the meeting ends. A workaround is to schedule another meeting after the first one ends. Some groups have found this option helpful; others have found it disruptive. If someone in your group has a paid account, you can use their account for unlimited meetings that are not time limited.
Option to Record - If your group wants to be able to record sessions or parts of sessions, this option is important.
Screen Sharing - In groups that will be watching videos together (such as the Self-Help Videos,) screen sharing is a necessity.
Encryption - this refers to security measures that protect your communications and provide for privacy which is important to many OEFT members.
Scheduling - some platforms allow you schedule recurring meetings with a permanent link (like Zoom), others, like WhatsApp require a separate conference call each time.
Multiplatform Use - Group members will be using many different devices to access the video app (PC's Macs, Android phones, iPhones). You want to make sure your video platform is compatible with many different devices.
Establish a Group Text or Email
We strongly encourage you to create a group text and/or email so that you can communicate with each other outside group. Group members can use the texts to quickly express ideas, reactions, news or updates during the week. It's also helpful when you want to let the other group members know if you cannot attend group or will be a few minutes late.
HELPFUL HINTS
Here are some guidelines and tips to help you create a great practice group. Remember, these guidelines are not rules.
Invite in the Unseen Therapist
She can help you create the kind of group you desire. Some groups invite her in at the beginning of each session. Another way to state this is to let Love guide you in the group. For more information on how to do this refer to Gary's eBook The Unseen Therapist.
Commitment
Generally, a strong group in which everyone feels safe requires regular attendance.
Whether the group meets weekly bi-weekly or monthly, regular attendance allows growth of trust and building of a safe space. Witnessing and supporting each other's healing creates the bond that holds the group together in that safe space. Irregular attendance disrupts that bond. It's hard to feel safe when you don't know who will be showing up for group each week.
In the spirit of respect and to avoid any unnecessary worry we recommend that when a member cannot attend, they not only inform the group in advance but also explain why.
Flexibility
Groups may need to change over time as the members' needs change or even as schedules change.
For example:
Susan's work schedule changed after a year in her group, and She considered leaving the group. She discussed it with the other group members who immediately expressed concern over losing her. They eventually decided to change the time they met.
A group that initially formed to study the 30 Lessons wanted to continue working together once they finished the lessons. This offered them the opportunity to openly discuss where each member wanted to go next. Eventually they decided to do the immerse-ucation videos together.
Work Together to Create a Group that Meets Everyone s Needs
This means a discussion of what each person wants from the group and how to achieve those ends so that everyone's needs are met. These discussions provide group members with a great opportunity to feel heard right from the start. Before the first group session, it is helpful for group members to create a list of what exactly they want from a practice group, and what they hope to accomplish. This will help the discussion about how each group member's needs will be met go more smoothly.
Trust builds over time
Members need to know that the group is a safe space. Following these guidelines will help create that space, but it takes time.
If Something is not Working for Any Group Member, it is Important to Speak Up
Even if you think you are the only one experiencing a problem with how the group is going, if you don't say anything you might eventually become dissatisfied with the group and want to leave. If voicing your dissatisfaction is a challenge for you, ask the Unseen Therapist to help you communicate your reactions lovingly and respectfully.
Maintain an Attitude of Nonjudgment
It is not our place to judge other group members, but only to help them climb that stairway to miracles with you in a loving way.\
Remember, we are creating groups to learn more about how we can use the wisdom of the Unseen Therapist in our lives and let Her guide us.
Group Challenges
Along the way groups may experience challenges that may be interpreted as problems, such as feelings about other member's level of commitment, differences in level of experience, communication issues. These are wonderful opportunities to bring in the Unseen Therapist for healing, and to develop greater love and patience for others and yourself.
Even if you don't know what's not working, put the confusion on the table and invite the Unseen Therapist to bring clarity.
Group Size
We recommend no more than 5 members. Otherwise, everyone's needs may not be met.
Groups larger than 5 may not have enough time for each person to share the thoughts or messages they got from Unseen Therapist, because they run out of time.
Practice Groups are not self-help groups where people come for personal advice.
Instead of focusing on group members' advice, connect to Unseen Therapist together and ask for Her guidance.
This is not to say that someone might not seek advice from time to time from other group members, but the main focus of the group is to bring the issues to the Unseen Therapist rather than just give personal advice. Similarly, while therapy often takes place in the group, it is not the main purpose. The main intention or purpose is to practice and deepen our communication with the Unseen Therapist.
Length of Meetings
Groups usually meet for an hour, or an hour and a half depending on size and individual needs. If a group is studying the OEFT course together, half the meeting could be spent on study and the other half on working with Unseen Therapist.
Maintain a Sense of Humor
It is important to not take the groups so seriously that you forget to have fun. There is tendency to take this work very seriously as though one were in bible study. Unseen Therapist wants us to laugh and have fun, as it is so healing and joyful.