Encourage the expression of emotions

• Expressing motions, regardless of being positive or negative, can help someone process what they are going through and give them some relief (Davidhizar, 1997) 

• Sharing experiences between group members can forge community and increase social support (Meade et al., 2018)

Practice empathy and compassion

• Sometimes listening is the best thing you can do when someone is struggling with emotions surrounding their disability

  • Urge other group members to practice good listening skills and refrain from discouraging comments towards the speaker

  • Emphasize the importance of being non-judgmental (Davidhizar, 1997)

  • Validating someone's experience is key in providing support to others in the group (Swartwood et al., 2011)

Promote healthy coping strategies

• There are many ways to cope with the difficult emotions that can come with being disabled. It is important to promote healthy coping mechanisms when possible

  • Examples of this could be box breathing, using fidgets, journaling, and expressing emotion through art

Foster a positive environment

• Including "moments of joy" during meetings

  • Encourage members to share positive moments from the past week as a way to increase moral and maintaining a positive perspective on life (Davidhizar, 1997)

• This can also include a specific channel in a group discord to share positive moments with others