Facilitator Trainingthe Importance of Fidelity

and Working Together

Fidelity according to Merriam-Webster

• The quality or state of being faithful • Accuracy in details; exactness

Why must we have fidelity?

Why do people go to a support group?

• To leave feeling better than when we came • To feel that we have contributed and that we

have been supported • To feel that we have something in common

with others

Sincere, uncritical

acceptance

We know these are effective remedies that do no harm.

The last thing any of us wants is to contribute to someone’s difficulties.

Working together

Relationships can be tough

I understand that as a NAMI Family Support Group facilitator, my responsibility is to the greater good of the group.

I also understand that fidelity to the model contributes to the greater good.

I agree…

to be open with my co-facilitators regarding any behaviors that may be detracting from the model or from the greater good of the group.

In order to do this, I will…• develop kind ways to approach my co-

facilitator about a behavior that concerns me

• be open to listening to the observations of my co-facilitator

• ask for assistance from someone else if I need help to do so in a kind way

I will…

adjust my behavior to be faithful to the model and dedicated to the greater good of the group and will not take offense or negative actions against my co-facilitator for having come to me with his or her concerns.

Sincere, uncritical

acceptance

We each experience things differently.

When something happens that seems to vary from what we believe is correct,

most of us feel a need to change it.

Peaceful conversations

When another NAMI Family Support Group facilitator gathers the courage

to approach you about a concern he or she has, it’s important that you create

a space where you both feel safe.

Peaceful conversations

• The best time to talk with your co-facilitator is outside the group time

• Correcting another person in front of the group can be hurtful

Peaceful conversations

Peaceful conversations

• Prepare yourself• Ask an opening question• Listen deeply and affirm

• Objectively say what happened• Respectfully say how you feel• Respectfully say what you need• Make a request

Peaceful conversations

Peaceful conversation example:

• Prepare yourself: My co-facilitator has been late the last two weeks and I want to know what she needs so she can arrive in time to help get set up so the group can start on time

• Opening question: “Jill, how are you feeling about how group is going?”

• Listen deeply: Don’t just plan what you’re going to say

• Objectively state what happened: “Jill, the last two weeks you’ve been late to group.”

• Respectfully say how you feel: “I feel frustrated that the group can’t start on time because we are not set up.”

Peaceful conversation example:

• Respectfully say what you need: “I need to know that everything will be ready before the group arrives.”

• Make a request: “I need to have your help getting ready for group; please let me know if you won’t be able to get to the group early enough to help.”

Peaceful conversation example:

Congratulations!You made it through this difficult

conversation peacefully by listening deeply!

Self-care Self-affirmations• Breathe deeply• Visualize a tranquil

place• Let go of expectations• Stay in the moment• Debrief yourself• Congratulate yourself• Use a self-affirmation

• I will treat myself with sincere, uncritical acceptance

• I am open to a peaceful outcome

• How can I bring joy into this moment?

• Peace, peace, peace• All is well