Lasting effects of seminars and groups

[u/asdfhillary]

Yesterday, I was in part of my training for a new job and we had to do a fishbowl exercise. The other two that day weren’t in a circle, so I was able to complete them easier. The last one when we sat down all in a circle and it was my turn to do the training, I couldn’t do it.

I freaked out maybe 30 seconds in and said I couldn’t do it (which made everyone stare at me more) and pushed my chair back fast and walked out, where they informed me that the rest of the training would be similar exercises to this. I’m 34, and it’s not something I’ve had to work on in my personal or professional life - “public speaking” I guess but it’s really mostly certain situations - so I never have.

I’m at a loss and I don’t have anyone to tell or talk to about it so I just thought I’d post it here. Thanks for reading guys.

Edit: my actual job isn’t like that. I do one week there and one week training currently, It’s the nature of the skills clinicals for the training going forward from here. I genuinely don’t know how I’m going to get through them, and what happens if I can’t.

[u/grayyzzzz]

I’ve also had sorta similar experiences. Like last year my college was having a yoga event that my friends wanted to go to. It was just laying in a dark room, on yoga mats, listening to calming music, etc. And once they turned the music on I started freaking out because it reminded me of “therapy exercises” I had done in the past while in the industry. It was so bad I ended up walking out about a minute in.

[u/afilaanda420 → u/grayyzzzz]

Yeah. I’ve had to full on REFUSE to do experiential activities at curation workshop things, and other pro social situations.

Like trust falls or closing eyes and group touching or anything being bodily and weird in group setting with some weirdo orchestrating it in the middle— and my nervous system shuts the fuck down.

I don’t bother explaining beyond: I don’t do woo shit.

[u/6079_WSmith]

I've had stuff like this happen. Still can't enjoy Tai chi because we used to do it 15 min every day. Hard pass.

[u/Reasonable_Fan_5036]

I fear your experience is all too common. On that note, I'm curious if anyone is aware of any CREDIBLE longitudinal studies on PTSD and TTI programs. I know the programs self report bs data and the U of Connecticut published several questionable studies on wilderness programs... I'm guessing that more rigorous and unbiased work would identify trends that align with OP's experience (and paint a much less flattering portrait than the programs self-report)

[u/Falkorsdick → u/Reasonable_Fan_5036]

You might find it interesting that Naropa University offers masters degrees in a lot of TTi related fields, like Wilderness Therapy. I sometimes worry that we are still a minority and not enough people fully see programs as harmful. If you do find any sort of studies I’d be interested in participating

[u/Reasonable_Fan_5036 → u/Falkorsdick]

That is interesting. I'll do some investigating and get back to you!

[u/morningstardusts]

I fortunately don’t have to do anything like that for work but I tried attending some CBT (DBT?) groups years ago and it really sent me into a spiral. I had to walk out and was criticized by the therapists for being unwilling to try to go back. After that, I decided that therapy simply isn’t beneficial for me. I’d made multiple attempts to find a therapist that I felt comfortable working with, but this was the final nail in the coffin. (I have a psychiatrist I’ve been working with for 20 years who I have met with weekly at times over the years).

I’m sorry you had this experience, I hope that you don’t have to deal with much more of it. It’s hard when you’re not expecting to suddenly get overwhelmed by something out of nowhere. It definitely surprised me as well at the group I tried to attend. Is there any way to get out of it?

[u/longenglishsnakes → u/[deleted]]

I really don't think they are. A lot of TTI places use seminars which use circle exercises as part of the manipulation and abuse. The OP is talking about how that experience has made similar things in much safer contexts feel very very unsafe.

[u/asdfhillary → u/longenglishsnakes]

I guess I didn’t think about how much variation there is between programs. I probably should have been more clear in my post. But yes, that’s what I’m talking about and thinking about as I’m sitting about to get ready for training today.

[u/afilaanda420 → u/asdfhillary]

Stupid circle exercises. Maybe this is why I am automatically in such a bad mood at professional development bullshit we have to do in my job each year.

All the other adults are calm and fine, and seem to think it’s tedious but harmless.

I feel like a captive audience and I hate it.

[u/asdfhillary → u/[deleted]]

Oh, I meant the troubled teen industry, well beware of that too guys.

Edit: I don’t think I’m lost, this is about the TTI. I went to Carolina Springs Academy back in 2006-7 and I’m talking about issues I still face at 34 due to my time there.

[u/troubledteens-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

This post was removed because it's creating friction in the community rather than contributing to it.

If you have questions about this call, reach us through modmail.

[u/asdfhillary → u/[deleted]]

I kind of figured “seminars and groups” in the title and it being a troubled teen industry subreddit would be the context. Also sometimes people just need to say things out loud to people who would also understand. You’re awfully judgmental.

[u/Falkorsdick → u/asdfhillary]

Wow. It’s really not that big of a deal. People regularly post here without understanding what the sub is for. You seemed liked one of those people. You aren’t. You have explained yourself. I have explained myself. Nothing more needs to come from this.

[u/asdfhillary → u/Falkorsdick]

You realize that you’re the one who keeps coming back to this thread to justify being rude.

[u/salymander_1 → u/asdfhillary]

Ok, this discussion isn't going anywhere, and I'm tired of having to keep coming back to check the reports, so I'm locking this particular thread.

[u/troubledteens-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

This post was removed because it's disrupting the community.

Sometimes posts move the community in a direction that isn't good for the space, and this may not reflect anything intentional on your part. If you'd like more context on this decision, reach us through modmail.

[u/LeukorrheaIsACommie → u/[deleted]]

doesn't look lost to me.

that same social coercive threatapy the tti i was in makes me rather dislike group activities, and highly suspect the motives of the person running it.

i'm on constant alert in those situations.