Saying the Unsaid

Sarah + Vanessa talk about being two years in to Saying the Unsaid and remembering their first group experiences as pre-teens and teenagers.

Vanessa + Sarah some of their thoughts after reading Ali Kimmel's article, "Queer Theory's Contributions to Modern Analytic Groups."  

Sarah + Vanessa discuss how naming dissonance (with humor or sincerity) can serve as an antidote to boredom and a mechanism for connection.  

Vanessa + Sarah talk about their dream of meeting in-person for a weekend with their online groups and how awkward and amazing that could be.

Sarah tells Vanessa about her experience participating in the Philadelphia Naked Bike Ride for her very first time.

Vanessa + Sarah talk about the idea that it might be permissible, or even important, for the leaders to recognize and honor their limitations, too.

Vanessa + Sarah discuss Vanessa's most recent visit with her surgeon.

Vanessa shares her thoughts on an article titled, "The Unconscious Other" by Lee Rather, and gratitude to Wendell Berry on the day of his passing.

Sarah + Vanessa talk about the specific task in group of naming disappointment, frustration, and anger at the leader(s), in part because you may have not been able to do so as a child (or as an adult!).

Sarah + Vanessa talk about group as a test to find out what we're allergic/reactive to; Sarah faced one of her allergies in her real life this week in an accidental Instagram reel share. 

Vanessa + Sarah talk about process group as a practice of improvisation vs. rehearsed speech.   

Sarah + Vanessa talk about their unfortunately ongoing relationship to lying.  

Sarah + Vanessa reflect on the dilemma in a process group of tending to what's "inside the room" while inhabiting what is "outside the room."

Sarah + Vanessa talk about their particular ease in enjoying leading groups, despite their acute awareness of the specific torture of being in a process group.

Sarah + Vanessa talk about their present belief that process groups are more about developing a greater understanding/consciousness about our creature-selves, and less about functioning as a self-improvement project.

Vanessa + Sarah talk about some of the "pool rules" of group work, including specificity over generalizing, playing with free associations and potentially wild interpretations, and trying to keep some skin in the game.

Vanessa + Sarah talk about words to avoid in Process Groups to reduce polite  faux-neutrality in pursuit of specificity and realness.  

Vanessa asks Sarah about her vocal nodule procedure and 72 hours of no-talking, and the two think out loud about the utility of studying our projections.  

Sarah tells Vanessa how she is feeling about a vocal cord procedure scheduled for the following day to treat her vocal nodules, and how process groups helped her advocate for herself in the medical arena.

Sarah + Vanessa attempt to describe a process group succinctly, wonder if it's akin to the mind-numbing quality of verbally describing a board game, and share a recent group experience.  

Vanessa + Sarah talk about the experience of being witnessed in our grossness and the potentially meaningful information of disgust.

Sarah + Vanessa share more thoughts on the dangers and invitations or boredom and mattering.  

Sarah + Vanessa discuss Adult Skate Camp and the potentially avoidant quality of asking questions.

Vanessa + Sarah discuss the Wild Boar of Boredom, its potentially aggressive undertones, and the scary but vitalizing prospect of naming it.  

Sarah + Vanessa use Sarah Simpson's description of a process group to help clarify what it is that they're trying to do.  www.sarahsimpsoncounseling.com 

Vanessa + Sarah discuss an article by Dr. Nancy McWilliams about the maternal and paternal aspects of analytic work, and Vanessa shares about her reconstructive lip surgery the day before the recording.  

Sarah + Vanessa talk about some of the ideas of Provocative Therapy, as coined by Frank Farrelly, and the invitations of the unexpected. 

Vanessa and Sarah talk about the utility of paying attention to negative or disavowed thoughts/feelings as a way to hold onto one's hot potatoes.

Vanessa shares three recent experiences of jealousy and the two of them share the invitation of expanding ones range of thoughts, feelings and relational impulses. 

Sarah + Vanessa catch up about recent experiences of getting tattooed, telling the truth, and witnessing children on airplanes.  

Vanessa + Sarah talk about an article on using psychodrama in group work and their associations with acting things out.  

Sarah + Vanessa discuss their resistance to the idea of marketing while simultaneously wanting to promote Process Groups.  

Vanessa + Sarah have a conversation about an interpersonal approach to group, noticing and following replications, and being the canary.

Vanessa + Sarah talk about the art of Joining and the invitation to call a spade a spade in process groups.

Vanessa + Sarah share some reflections on the similarities of good parenting and good group leading.  

Vanessa + Sarah check in about their personal current experiences as members of process groups.

Sarah + Vanessa talk about the idea of mending as it pertains to group, and Vanessa gives an update on her recovery from her accident.  

Vanessa + Sarah talk about group process as playing with play-dough, and share some imaginations around the invitations of Lent.  

Sarah + Vanessa talk more about the permission to be ourselves and to follow the grain of our wood, professionally and personally.  

Sarah + Vanessa talk about the how sometimes choosing pleasure and ease is just what the doctor ordered.