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Rising Phoenix Burn Survivor Support Group
Jennifer Bell-Matthews
Group Counseling - EDG 6321
Sara Carlisle

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A burn survivor, most times, has to adapt to new environments and a new lifestyle, as their old one no longer exists. This creates both mental and physical issues that must be worked through as time continues to move forward. From a previous discussion with other survivors, one of the main needs of burn survivors, whether new or old, was being able to be heard and glean information from others who have been through the process. This group will be open to adults ages eighteen and over due to the nature of some of the topics discussed that are not child appropriate.

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Working with publicizing this group can be a little tricky to handle. We will be publicizing the group within several arenas including the Parkland Burn Unit Newsletter, social media platforms for several burn survivor groups, as well as reaching out to other agencies that assist burn survivors like Sons of the Flag. There is an email blast that goes out once a quarter with information and tips for burn survivors as well. We can utilize all of the platforms to get survivors interested in being a part of a session where they can not only learn from others, but help others based on their journeys. It is most important to have feedback from other survivors who have been through similar issues.

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The action plan details just how the Rising Phoenix Burn Survivor Support group will be formed as well as the purpose and benefits of this support group. Putting a plan into action for burn survivors can be viewed as life and death, literally. It can be the beginning of a new life within a new normal, or it can be the death of their life as the survivor knows it, which then leads to withdrawals and lack of interest in integrating back into life after a burn injury.

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The group screening process will take place via personal and telephonic interviews. We do want to screen the participants because there will be a large number of people who want to attend, but we will only accept a small number for each support group. The group has to be small enough for everyone to benefit from the support group sessions. If the groups are too large, participation will wane. We will ask potential participants to answer a questionnaire to assess where they may be in their journey to healing. The questionnaire will assist us with narrowing down to candidates to those that will be invited to take part in the support group for the next few months. We want to ensure that those selected are also committed to the process from start to finish in order to get the most out of the sessions.

The questions are as follows:

1. What is your first name?
2. How did you hear about these discussion groups?
3. What led to your decision to join one of these groups?
4. What do you want to get from being in this group?
5. With a simple yes or no, please tell me if you are experiencing any crisis at this time that might make it hard for you to focus on issues relating to this group? Are you willing to speak about your burn injury and how your life has changed?
6. Do you have a support person or therapist to talk to if this becomes upsetting to you? Would you like us to provide one for you?

I want you to know that the last two questions are not screening questions. How you answer them does not affect whether we select you for the group. These questions just help us with scheduling and accommodations. First, when are the best days and times for you to participate in a two-hour conversation group?
8. Your answer to this next question will only be used to help us accommodate any of your needs during a conversation group.
9. Will you need any accommodations in order to participate in the conversation group?

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It is very important that every member of the group is aware that everything said within the group is to stay within the group. This protects the statements of everyone involved, including facilitators and other survivors. This creates a safe space for everyone as subjects may be sentimental, intimate, or hard to discuss. An example has been attached.

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As far as conducting a needs analysis, the process starts with question of what we can do to help our burn survivor community not only survive their injuries but thrive in their new life and situation? For our local burn unit here in Dallas, I work with a great team as a volunteer and soon to be employee. As a result, I have access to previous surveys and studies that were completed by previous survivors when they left the burn unit. This information also includes follow up interviews with the same survivors to examine where they are six months, one year, and five years later.

Many concerns have been shown within that research as well as burn survivors that I mentor, or engage with on a regular basis, in returning to their normal life, social skills, and dealing with emotional and psychological issues that arise. I have to conduct a new survey to understand within those topics, what the survivors need to be successful moving forward so that those specific needs can be addressed during the support group.

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The group rules are as follows:

1. Because confidentiality is essential, we expect that each person will respect and maintain the confidentiality of the group. What is said in the group is not to be repeated or discussed at any other time or place.
2. We are here to share our own feelings and experiences; we try not to give advice. 3. We each share the responsibility for making this group work.
4. We try to accept people, just as they are, and we avoid making judgments.
5. We try to give everyone an opportunity to share.
6. We have the right to speak and the right to remain silent.
7. We give supportive attention to the person who is speaking and avoid side conversations.
8. We avoid interrupting. If we do break in, we return the conversation to the person who was speaking.
9. We have the right to ask questions and the right to refuse to answer.
10. We try to be aware of our own feelings and talk about what is present to us now, rather than what life was like for us in the past.
11. We do not discuss group members who are not present. 12. We begin and end our meetings on time.
(Mahre, 1988)

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This group composition will be homogenous in the sense that burn survivors are a specific population that encounter many of the same issues. We Shave narrowed the group down to twenty participants at a time.

Stage 1 - consists of a few icebreakers to get to know each other as well as music therapy to loosen up the mode and tension regarding being around strangers. This stage will also include introductions of each group member and facilitators

Stage 2 - this will include a few team building exercises to get the survivors to come together and build on the trust established in the first stage. This stage will also dive into discussing burn trauma and the journey to reintegration into life.

Stage 3 - will include interaction regarding things learned throughout the group. We will gather feedback on all of the topics that have been discussed and how they have impacted the survivors. We will answer any questions that may be residual questions as well while discussing after care for after the support group ends

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This group will be directed as a participative leadership style group. Reason being, it is highly important that everyone be able to share their thoughts, feelings, and opinions while also receiving feedback from the group leader as well. Having a shared atmosphere of creativity and thoughts can provide a different level of healing for all of the participants. Everyone needs a chance to speak their truths!

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There are a few of Yalom's Curative Factors of Group Treatment that may apply to the burn survivor support group. For starters, imparting of information will be at the forefront. Many survivors do not understand how to bridge the gap from their old life to their new life post burn. This means that they are ready to receive important information that may assist them on they journey. Another factor is the development of socializing techniques. Survivors tend to retreat, or become reclusive, after their burn injury. This can happen because of scarring, low self-esteem, and fear of getting back to living post trauma. There are many phases that occur that can impede socializing. This group will give the survivor some practice skills that they can take into their daily lives. Universality also means comradery within the group because no survivor is alone in their struggle. Everyone in the group will be able to sympathize with what other survivors are currently handling.

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American Counseling Association. (2022). American Counseling Association Code of ethics. NU-MAC. Retrieved February 16, 2023, from https://counseling.northwestern.edu/blog/aca-code-of-ethics/

American School Counselor Association. (2022). ASCA student standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for student success. ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success - American School Counselor Association (ASCA). Retrieved February 15, 2023, from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Standards/ASCA-Mindsets-Behaviors-for-Student-Success

HHSC. (2020). HHSC Crisis Services Guide 2020 - Texas. Crisis Services Guide. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from https://www.hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/about-hhs/process-improvement/improving-services-texans/hhsc-crisis-services-guide.pdf

Mahre, S. (1988). Training programs. Group Peer Support. Retrieved February 15, 2023, from https://grouppeersupport.org/training/

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This document is for the State of Texas. It gives several resources throughout the different regions in the state for different types of clinical workers, including counselors. There is a wealth of insurance contained within these pages that will last me for years to come. As a starting therapist, it is great information to have at my fingertips.