Introducing:  Small Group Intensives

Yep, we did it!  We had our first Small Group Intensive (SGI) and a whole new era has begun.

For a week in April, for the first time ever, a small group of Discussing Dissociation Community Forum members met for a group intensive.   Not an individual intensive — a group intensive.  Yep.  A group intensive.  This was a new concept to try, and it ended up being a wonderful experience.

Of course, our week was full of layered conversations with as many different feelings as there were changes in weather!  Since when has the DDCF community run out of things to talk about?  We don’t!  We just keep getting more and more honest and real with each other.  It’s so good to see.

Because some of the forum members were already interested in coming to Texas for the Full Eclipse, we purposefully planned this week as the date for our first SGI event.   With a specific date in mind, the planning began many months ago.   Now to prepare, like so many others, to come to Texas for the eclipse! 

The first step, necessary far before planning anything else, was finding a private, quaint, peaceful setting.  Space and privacy were essential.  It was a long search, but finally I found a suitable location.  We went to a lovely little lake house that offered us lots of privacy with acreage and room to breathe.

And of course, with the eclipse coming, we wanted a clear, wide open view of the big beautiful Texas sky.  A lake house was the perfect setting.  We planned ahead, and the group arrived early.  There was to be no traveling on eclipse day.  No one wanted to be caught out on the roads in a Texas-sized traffic jam on this day!

The Texas skies were good to us. 

Well.  Back up for a minute.  We didn’t know if they would be good to us. 

We worried for a long while if we would get to see the eclipse.  In the week ahead, all the weather apps were predicting rain and storms.  Gasp!  And… the very morning of April 8, 2024, there was a thick heavy fog and low gray clouds for hours and hours.  It was the day, so yep…. it called for a bigger GASP!  Plus we had weather predictions of clouds, rain, and storms for the rest of the day!  How disappointing to travel across the country for the eclipse only to have thick layers of heavy gray clouds cover the sky!  No no no — that couldn’t happen!  We had been planning for this day for months!  Were we even going to see the eclipse??

Thankfully, like a little miracle from the heavens, right at the exact minutes of our central Texas eclipse experience, the clouds cleared up, the sun popped out, the moon crossed over, and we were able to fully witness this amazing event.  And just as odd, right after the eclipse passed, the heavy clouds came rolling right back in, once again fully covering the sky, just minutes afterwards.

We were so very grateful to see the eclipse and be surprised by the changes that happen outside in the world.  The birds became oh so quiet, while the frogs in the lake started singing at the top of their lungs.  The sun set over the lake, and we had those four minutes of eerie cool darkness in the middle of the afternoon.  An interesting change of day, that’s for sure!

What is a Small Group Intensive?

Like all new inventions, the concept of having a Small Group Intensive came out of necessity.

Individual Intensives, while super helpful, can be a little too far out of the price-range for most folks.  Individual Intensive are awesome for growth and progress as the entire intensive is focused exactly on that person’s system issues of concern.   However, by the very design of being an individual experience, this also means the person is on his / her own while processing heavy information.  This alone time works for some people, but not for everyone.

Our P4 DID Retreats are at the other end of this spectrum.   Our retreats are big events, with lots of people, and conversations with others can happen at all hours of the day (and night?!).  Retreats are also sprinkled with fun activities, and while learning about system communication and DID education is usually the focus, the topics are typically more generalized.  Attendees can suggest certain topics, but again, group discussions tend to cover broader categories to which the bigger group can relate.

The Small Group Intensives sit somewhere in between the Individual Intensive and the P4 DID Retreat.

• At SGI intensives, the group size is 8 or less, and attendees agree to present a specific topic of discussion relevant to them in front of the group.
• At SGI intensives, we find ways to challenge each person on their particular topic.  This focus time is intentionally shared between attendees via designated spots in the week’s schedule.
• At SGI intensives, the plan is having group discussion and group support but the topics are decided by the individuals who attend.   We talk about personal topics with group feedback.

In addition, throughout the week, each dissociative system is encouraged to express and expand their thoughts and emotions about their individual topic through other activities as well, such as writing exercises, art projects, personalized skits, and clay board.  There are all kinds of ways to creatively express what you think or feel about something.  Of course, for a dissociative system, that also includes allowing and supporting the system insiders to participate with their thoughts and comments about the topic as well.

And along the way, the group can provide support and feedback for that person.  The time is shared, of course, but the benefit is, we always learn from each other.  Even participating in the skits for other topics creates an environment where everyone can learn or experience something significant about their own system as well.

~ ~ ~ ~

What areas do you to challenge yourself?

What areas might you need to be challenged by someone else?

Have you ever shared your life story with a group of people?

Do you want feedback on addressing an issue where you’ve been stuck?

.

A Small Group Intensive might be a good option for you as well! 

~ ~ ~ ~

Oh — but one more point.   A very important point.

For safety and security purposes, all SGI attendees have specific requirements to meet.  If you are interested in considering this kind of learning experience, please contact us to see if you will qualify, or could qualify, for future SGI opportunities.

What to learn more?

When you can, join us in the DDCF Community Forum for more information and ongoing group discussion.  We have had a whole lot to say about the SGI experience!   And…  Even if you can’t participate in an SGI intensive, or if that’s not right for you, you can still have safe and secured conversations with other multiple systems in our 24/7 forum community.  You don’t have to be alone with what you’re experiencing.   There is a lot of healing that comes by talking with people who understand!

I hope to see you soon, and of course, I wish you the best on your healing journey. 

Warmly, 

Kathy

Copyright © 2008-2026 Kathy Broady and Discussing Dissociation