If you have a loved one (family, partner, friend, etc.) who lives with mental illness and has difficulty managing their emotions, this group is for you!

Have you read all the books and taken all the workshops, but you still feel stuck and scared when it comes to interacting with your loved one in challenging situations? In this workshop you will meet other people who feel the same way, and together we will practice how to deal with difficult situations that come up in our day to day lives.

One of the most important tools we will explore is validation. Validating a loved one means communicating to them that they are seen, heard, and loved even when they are in pain, angry, upset, etc. Validation is a very useful skill and can have a profound impact on relationships. However, it can be hard to implement, especially in highly charged situations. This group offers you a safe and friendly environment so that in the future you may feel more comfortable putting into practice what you have learned. Like any other skill, practice is key.

In this group, we will use examples from real life. We will also talk about boundaries and limit setting. This is not a lecture—it is an interactive group, using discussion and role play. You will be expected to participate.

Before the workshop, please note that you must watch a video that explains validation (click here). We will not be explaining validation during this workshop.

If you would like to learn more about validation before the workshop, here are other helpful videos:

Carl’s Story: Living with Borderline Personality Disorder

Validation: Making sense of the emotional turmoil in Borderline Personality Disorder with Dr. Galen

BPD Validation Q&A with Sylvie Bouchard

If you have any questions about this group, email Sylvie: peersupport@amiquebec.org.