"Guidelines"

1. As the saying goes, we are here to help one another gain “Strength for the Journey”. We need to know that we are opening up to one another in a safe environment. Please respect the confidentiality of your fellow participants whenever outside of class.

2. Remember the Pain Management Patient’s version of the Golden Rule. Treat other pain sufferers as sensitively as you would like to be treated. Occasionally, we do need to challenge one another. We ought do this from a position of compassion & respect, not out of negative condemnation. In other words, please honor the feelings, perspectives, weaknesses, and life circumstance of anyone you address.

3. Only one person speaks at a time. Each person who has been given “the floor” by the instructor deserves to be the center of attention and to feel listened to.

4. Participants must recognize the instructor’s responsibility and privilege to conduct the “flow” of discussion. This allows as many people as possible to join in the discussion, to respect those who are shy, and to keep the focus of the dialogue on the designated topic.

5. The instructor maintains the privilege to privately approach those who are disruptive to the class. Not everyone is appropriate for group participation at all times.

6. Participants should also feel welcome to contact the instructor to offer items for the “suggestion box”. Additionally, should you have concerns or points of difficulty over the function or dynamic of the class, then, by all means, contact your instructor (Beto Tellería, M.A.) by e-mail at elfenix@forthoseinpain.org