[hugging (like) button]

That makes sense. I guess for me it means, I am holding space for you, however you feel, in gentle company.

[hugging (like) button]

Sometimes I've seen people simply say: "I don't have words right now, but I'm sitting with you, if wanted."  That has been really meaningful to me when people say that.

[Hello, I'm new]

I also resonate strongly with your story, @AnnieO, and I'm also sending you a warm and friendly welcome. 🙂

[I Want to Come Back...]

I haven’t met you yet, @Poppy_, but i have appreciated reading some of your posts and comments. Warm welcome on your return! 

[New to group]

Hi and welcome, @Alfred, I'm sorry for the reason you are here, but glad that you've joined us!  I hope you feel welcome and that you get lots of support, I've found it to be a really welcoming place.  Glad to meet you!

[Hey there]

Hi @Maryphanalia I love crafts too!  Maybe if you feel comfortable, you might choose to post about some of your favorites, there's a forum for creativity here, and I love it when people post drawings and other fun stuff!  I love crochet, drawing, hand lettering, and singing, myself (and probably a dozen more other things I experiment with from time to time). Welcome!  I hope you and your friend find a comfortable supportive place here (I know I feel that way for sure). 🙂

[New Member here]

Hello @Shield.ugly, welcome to AS, I hope you will find it a supportive place for you.  I'm sorry for what you have gone through that brought you here. 

Warmly,
~abhaya.

[Hi]

Hi @Gerty

I'm sorry for what you have gone through that brought you here, and i hope you find it a good supportive place.  I'm new-ish too, and I have found the community to be really welcoming and kind.  Don't feel pressure to share anything unless/until you're ready. I'm glad to meet you.  🙂

[Hi]

Hi @JustCats and welcome to AS.  I'm so sorry for what you went through, it sounds really confusing and hard to have to carry that around.  I am sad you had a reason to come to this site, but I'm glad to meet you!  Sending support and a friendly wave!

 

[First time reaching out]

I'm so sorry for what happened to you @SaraJane, but I am glad that you feel safe here and I hope you find it to be a supportive place!  Sitting with you, if you would like. 🙂

[Hello, I'm new]

Hi @Zoe--Anastasia and welcome to AS.  I'm new too, and similar things brought me here.  It seems like a really welcoming place and people are supportive and nice. I'm sorry that things happened to you that were so painful, but I'm glad you found your way here.  You are not alone. 🙂

[Hi all]

Thanks, Wanna... I am doing my best to just give things a try and start a few conversations.  Here goes!

 

[Hi all]

Thank you both! 🙂

[Hi all]

Hi everyone,

I just joined this forum and figured I'd post a short introduction. I am a survivor of CSA, DV, and spiritual abuse (not all in the same setting/relationship), and as part of trying to understand what happened I went on and got a graduate degree in counseling... but I have never felt comfortable really speaking openly about my story or even identifying as a survivor except with very close friends. I have worked with therapists one on one over the years, but I have recently started to see that there is something stopping me from moving forward in my own healing journey and I think it has to do with continuing to keep the secrets of my abuse, so I'm hoping that a peer support connection will be a good option to continue my healing.  I am lucky to have a kind and supportive partner, and am generally doing ok day-to-day, my abuse history is thankfully well in my rear view mirror now, but I still struggle with trauma symptoms and anxiety.  I have hesitated to seek support in a peer group setting in my local area because as a therapist myself I don't want to be in a group setting that prevents one of my clients from themselves seeking support due to dual relationship ethics, so I'm here solely as a fellow survivor, doing my best. Thanks for creating these forums.