I am part of one of the groups that Serenity Center offers. I wanted to say that first of all I am greatly enjoying it. I am learning so much skills and information – far more than I honestly ever expected I would. I am in therapy for 2 years, as well as a listener of your line for about the same time. I’ve listened to hundreds of radio shows and question and answers (I’m working my way backwards and now I’m in the 1700’s) and when I first started the groups I knew I’d learn new things but I thought that I’d be familiar with a lot of it and was pleasantly surprised that what I do know scratches the surface of and how much more there is to learn. Each time I call in I gain more awareness in various aspects of anxiety, and Miriam teaches us different skills which we can use, which I’ve gradually been incorporating into my daily life and seeing changes. One example of a skill that I’ve learnt is to change the thought and question if it’s true. I’ve found that to be extremely helpful. Another example is of being completely mindful and present in whatever task I am doing in the moment, whether it’s washing the dishes, going for a walk etc… I gained a lot of awareness from the discussion of cognitive distortions. The one judgement skill, which she mentioned today I liked a lot as well. These are just some examples. Another part of these groups that I really appreciate, is the fact that were all on together – as a group. As each of us get more comfortable with each other, and sharing personal details and experiences that we’ve been through, or going through in our present lives, I get such a comforting feeling. I’ve never been in a setting before, aside from in my own therapy, where I can be validated, and be told that I am not alone in what I am going through. And what’s different than in my own therapy, I am on the line with other people who have their own struggles with anxiety and I truly get to see firsthand that I am not alone! It is incredibly healing.