Saturday Spectrum

Empowering Minds Counseling & Consultant Services, LLC is pleased to provide Virtual Group Support Services to individuals and consumers through the Zoom platform. Zoom is a web-based, licensed, HIPPA compliant videoconferencing tool that allows licensed individuals in the healthcare and therapy community to meet with clients, individuals, stakeholders and consumers online to provide group support, psychotherapy and / or consultant services. As with in-person support group, group therapy, consumer or consultant services, each member agrees to adhere to clearly established rules while participating in virtual Zoom meetings for, individual or group psychotherapy, group.

The following rules have been listed on the registration page (with signature acknowledgment & agreement), as well as,  in an accessible group workbook. The rules will be reviewed prior to the initiation of group support services, with a request for acknowledgment, agreement, and  commitment in abiding by them for a support group, community planning, or psychotherapy:

1. I agree to a commitment of respecting one another even when there are differences of opinions, values, or ideas.

2. I agree to a commitment of confidentiality of group members, as confidentiality is of paramount importance. Therefore, what happens in a group stays in the group. Please make sure that as you participate in group therapy at home you: A) Participate from a quiet space that is free from distractions and interruptions by others. You must have a private space available located away from others in which to participate in group therapy. B) Use headphones if possible while in the group. If you do not have headphones, please take measures to avoid having other people in your household overhear what is being discussed in the group. It is very important that all group members feel that their comments and contributions are heard, respected, and is are kept confidential.

3. I agree to a commitment of when not sharing, I will keep my microphone muted in case of background noise as to not disturb the person currently sharing and so others can hear what is being shared.

4. I agree and acknowledge that the group facilitator will prompt myself and group members by using discussion prompts, activities, & discussions. Additionally, as not to have people talking over each other, if a participant wishes to share, participants are to raise their virtual hand. The facilitator will acknowledge the participants wanting to speak and prompt that participant when it is their turn to speak.

5. Participants will purchase and /or download any supplemental material needed for the group including handouts, worksheets, or workbooks. Please have a notebook and writing utensil ready to take notes and/or engage in the worksheets, workbook activities, and prompts. 

6. I agree to a commitment of fully engaging in group activities, prompts, and discussions through multiple opportunities such as sharing personal experiences, needs, commenting in the comment box, and ensuring that my discussions are verbalized or shared for up to 3-5 minutes at a time.

7. I agree to a commitment of turning my video camera off, in the event that I need to step away from the group or use a personal cell phone during virtual group meeting activities, and return to the virtual group setting, by turning on my video camera, upon concluding of personal business. **Please keep in mind that emergencies, illness/ sickness, business, etc. may prevent you from having your video camera on, therefore you may e-mail Empowering Minds Counseling & Consultant Services, LLC / group facilitator prior to the group meeting at getempowerd@empoweringindscc.com to provide an update, notification, etc. or your accommodation needs ( please use the subject line: Saturday Spectrum)

8. I agree to an acknowledgment that group members will not be allowed to join the group once the group has started. Group meetings will take place over a period of 5 weeks on Saturdays and sessions will last 55 minutes. Be prepared to remain in the group session for its entirety, unless you have previously e-mailed the group facilitator of a previous commitment, or due to an emergency.

9. I agree to adhere and acknowledge that the group meetings and sessions are not to be audio or audio recorded or taped (to include picture or selfie picture taking while in the group session /meeting) by any group member, group family member, friend or any individual.

10. I agree to adhere and to acknowledge  that if group members are experiencing technical difficulties and cannot enter the virtual meeting room, they are to make three entry attempts and if unsuccessful e-mail Empowering Minds Counseling & Consultant Services, LLC / group facilitator at getempowerd@empoweringindscc.com to provide an update, notification, etc. or your accommodation needs ( please use the subject line: Saturday Spectrum Technical Difficulties)