CPTSD support groups (both in-person and online)?

TF1976 · April 23, 2025, 04:08:55 AM

CPTSD support groups (both in-person and online)?
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Hi everyone. I've been searching for support groups specifically oriented towards helping those with CPTSD/developmental trauma. So far I haven't come up with much. Online social media groups (like Reddit and this FB group) while helpful, don't really cut it for me. Ideally I'd like to find an in-person group that I could join but this seems unlikely. I'm based in the Western U.S. and even large metro areas like LA and San Diego don't have much (if anything) with such a specific focus. If you do happen to know of any good in-person groups in the Western U.S. please do share as I might be open to relocating. From what I can tell Boston seems to be the place to be...but I'm not really down with the Eastern U.S. 🙂
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Regarding online (Zoom format) groups, this seems much more possible to find. So far, ASCA (adult survivors of childhood abuse) has been the most helpful for me as I can generally really relate with the other participants stories/feelings/experiences. There also isn't a big focus on religion/spirituality which can be a trigger for me. In the event there really aren't any CPTSD specific online support groups out there what peripherally related groups have been helpful for you? One I've heard about is the Gabor Mate inspired Compassionate Inquiry circle. These aren't free...but they're run by facilitators with some amount of training. Anyone have personal experience with CI? Truth be told, I'm a bit wary of the wealthy trauma guru types that have recently gained such notoriety here in the U.S. (Van Der Kolk, Mate, Schwartz, and others)...for obvious reasons.

NarcKiddo · April 23, 2025, 08:12:38 AM

I see you have discovered the information about our Zoom support groups and have been advised to send a PM to Papa Coco for more information. I don't know if there are spaces on any of them and it can be a very long wait to join.

I have no experience of other support groups that might fit the bill. You say you are wary of the big names but I watch a lot of Patrick Teahan's videos and he seems very sound. I know he runs some sort of support community and that might be helpful, but cannot give any personal input.

Kizzie · April 23, 2025, 03:41:20 PM

Hi TF1976, have a look at the CPTSD Foundation here - https://cptsdfoundation.org/.

I suspect in larger cities there might be groups run by hospitals, clinics or possibly universities, you'll just have to dig to find them.

Good luck!

TF1976 · April 23, 2025, 09:23:37 PM

Quote from: NarcKiddo on April 23, 2025, 08:12:38 AMI see you have discovered the information about our Zoom support groups and have been advised to send a PM to Papa Coco for more information. I don't know if there are spaces on any of them and it can be a very long wait to join.

I have no experience of other support groups that might fit the bill. You say you are wary of the big names but I watch a lot of Patrick Teahan's videos and he seems very sound. I know he runs some sort of support community and that might be helpful, but cannot give any personal input.

thanks for the tips!

TF1976 · April 23, 2025, 09:28:21 PM

Quote from: Kizzie on April 23, 2025, 03:41:20 PMHi TF1976, have a look at the CPTSD Foundation here - https://cptsdfoundation.org/.

I suspect in larger cities there might be groups run by hospitals, clinics or possibly universities, you'll just have to dig to find them.

Good luck!

thanks for checking back in about my query. do you have any personal experience with the CPTSD Foundation? i've obviously come across their website as it is super well advertised...but that is one of the reasons i'm a bit wary. it's also not free...as they charge for membership simply to access chat forums. i'm open to giving it a try but i definitely would like to hear more 1st hand accounts regarding the quality of their services. trauma profiteering has become all the rage these days and many of these so called trauma "experts" know precious little about the topic.

Kizzie · April 24, 2025, 07:10:26 PM

I haven't had much experience with them TF1976 and I don't often recommend them as they do charge. That said, you could give them a try and if it's not to your liking you can just leave.

One place I found a CPTSD group I forgot to mention was on MeetUp for the city where I live. You might give that a try.