I'm just wonder what should I suspect when I go to the support group. Is very much like going to therapy except with more people.

Oh by the way, the support group I'm going to is the Gender Alliance of the South Sound in Tacoma, Washington.

It depends, some support groups are focused on issues, some are more social.

What happened is that they welcomed me... everyone went around and said their names and then the facilitator read the guidelines/rule to go by.  We had a check-in where everyone was allowed to say something if they wanted to.  After that we had discussion.  What i've noticed in my group is that whenever there is a newbie we spend more time on that person.

Some people just sit back and listen.

It is gonna vary from group to group, but that's what happens at mine.

Thank yous. I just hope I can get my car fix in time for the trip.

yeah, hope so.  It can be nervewracking the first time, but worth it.  It was the first time i felt normal.

I went to my first one last saturday and there was only three other people there. They all had transition and gave great advice. I've decided on to coming out to myself first before I try to coming out to friends and family. This support group has a weekly club mixure meeting that I'll go.

I'll undoubtedly will have fun.

I found that you should "suspect" a lot. Beginning with what you found, that everyone there is gonna be coming from a different place.

The best ones I've found over the years are those that have a "facilitator" with some experience in facilitating who doesn't mind stopping discussions that get out-of-hand or dribble around on the same two feet of space for two hours.

Lots of advice. Try to judge that by the things the person who's saying it also says about themselves and their lives. Lots of advice I've heard at them comes basically from cross-dressers who have studied a lot, but live generally male-lives and dress for groups and "special occasions" the Lions Club Xmas Gala where they are in a group that does drag, for instance. Try to check out what is said as far as you can with others you trust and you know have a bit of time actually living a woman's life.

If you are going for companionship and to ease the sense that you are all alone, then you'll probably get some truly excellent support. It's not easy just groping around in the dark all by yourself. Get a feel for the people and accept what you feel you need and let the rest go. Kinda like any support group that way from AA to OA.

And, most important, enjoy yourself!

Nichole

That's great, glad it went well.  A lot easier with three other people than some of the ones i've heard about.

There's one that meets up in Seattle on Wednesdays, and it's only a few blocks away from home.  Let's see if I can muster up the courage this week...