Support Group field experience

Compulsive gamblers groups were of high interest to me, because my father was an obsessive gambler. The group was spearheaded by a lady who is a LPC. In Gam-Anon the member will experience relief from anxiety by accepting the fact of powerlessness over the problem in the family. The heavy load of responsibility for the gambling problem is lifted and the agonizing guilt in regard to failures is gradually alleviated. The energy wasted in attempts to stop loved ones from gambling can be channeled into more useful methods of problem solving. The group meets every Thursday. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop gambling. There are no dues or fees for Gamblers Anonymous membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. Gamblers Anonymous is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any cause. Our primary purpose is to stop gambling and to help other compulsive gamblers do the same. Upon my arrival to my first observation, the group had already had its introductory session. The meeting started with the leader reminding the members of the rules and regulations of the session. The theoretical framework of the leader led me to believe that she was in total control of the group and its process. The members respected her and the way she conducted the sessions. I was really surprised how gambling has devastated so many lives. I could relate to some of the personal stories that were shared. It’s not the little problems that you hear about with gamblers; a couple of these members had hit rock bottom and still had the desire to want to gamble. The observation affected me by being close to the reality of this problem. The thing that I learned about myself from participating in this exercise was that I need more information and knowledge about group counseling because this is not an easy task. My experience as a head girl’s