Group Work using the Blob Tree

I cannot tell you the trauma that these young people have been through at such an early age.

I am talking about those aged 16/17 and some a little older.

I feel sad now  

I hope, you will sense my feelings.

I have, so many times, felt / experienced real violence 

and threats of violence for about four/five hours. 

I have been tense all that time. 

Then I enter recovery………. 

Reminds me of the years working in East London with youth gangs, 

the uncontrolled violence and even the pleasure from it. 

I hate it.

Yes I feel sad. Reflective. 

I must reflect when I have feelings......

I have used the Blob Tree* with a group of BHP's**. 

It is without a doubt, the most known and used tool from any of my books.

(see www.blobtree.com )

And here is a contrast as I work with a group,

all vulnerable young humans

so many with a hard surface.

So many numbing their real feeling

for fear of revealing their real vulnerabilities.

This group session processed like this:-

the usual messing about at the front end - then
I ask a Question::

'which Blob on the Tree is your feelings now?' 

Only a short pause - then the most mashed up human spoke, and said.... 

he was mashed.

then, following that lead,
the others now had permission to be 

honest = self revelation.

Some were feeling isolated - 

expressing those feelings, 

others tumbling words 

out of touch with the tree questions

but about their life - 

real honesty flooded, 

real feelings.

The next was asking which Blob would they like to be.

The ones hugging were popular

the ones in touch/touching each other each other.

Climbing the tree, 

helping others into the tree, 

fantastic sharing.

The process ended with a message 

that we need to 'own' the facts/reality of what has happened. 

We cannot change the past just one little bit 

BUT, 

we can plan and aim for the future. 

A better future.

A group of people being beautiful together 

and I have the joy of being there. 

Me.......................... a human becoming...........................

Do you know how I feel?

This feeling stuff comes out and then, 

it does not end there, 

it then moves on to reflection and into:-

strategy

and

priorities

which means thought and action.

* = the Blob Tree, you can download a copy HERE if you want but not to put it into cyber space

** = BHP means 'beautiful human person’. 

I FEEL - how do you feel?

*