I saw in our group all the heads nodding in understanding, the outbursts of shared laughter at identification with whatever was being discussed. It was most eye-opening to see the kind of things that we all shared—especially given that a key component of the upbringing is the crazy-making aspects that make you doubt your own perceptions.

The biggest growth for me was probably just in the areas of greater selfawareness and self care—the greater ability to actually stay in my own experience and to even notice my own experience in the midst of stimulus around me.

I am able to ask for help more readily when I need it. I am able to state my preferences more comfortably, I feel I am able to take up more space in the world now, like I have a right to do so, and that others will see that as a gift and not a burden

I developed an understanding of how being raised by a mother with a borderline personality disorder has affected me as a child and how the problems have followed me into adulthood. I cannot say enough about how valuable and beneficial the information was such as exploring attachment theory, identifying our individual attachment styles which is key in understanding rupture and repair. I feel that I understand and can identify how I react and behave to ruptures as a result of my childhood experiences and am more vigilant in how I respond, “repair,” in a healthier, more adaptive manner which is vital to healing