From: rjr@idm.com (Ray J Rueb)
Subject: Men's Groups
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 02:30:43 GMT
Organization: Information Data Management

> sfjr@wam.umd.edu (Steve Russell) writes:
>Does anyone have any information about men's/men's movement groups in
>the Wash DC area.  Im on a low budget and am less interested in the
>drum banging/ war paint set.

I'd again like to post this information:

I'm involved in the men's organization known as ``The New Warriors''.
These are the men featured on the Phil Donohue show.

The organization is involved in providing therapy and support groups
for our members. There are branches in Chicago, Milwaukee, San Deigo,
Houston, Minnesota, Ney York, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Windsor and
Washington DC. There are at least 5 more cities opening up in 1993.
They are supposed to include international groups as well.

The basic goal of the organization is to provide a psychologically safe
place were men can address issues which hold them back in their lives.
In other words... Heal youself, then bring healing to the world.

The way it works is:

You attend a weekend (Friday night thru Sunday Afternoon) sponsored
by the Warriors. After the weekend you can become part of a weekly
integration (support) group.

My experience:

I had been in therapy (with a strict Freudian analyst) for 2.5 years.
This was weekly sessions at $110.00 per.
Six months before my weekend I switched to a therapist (MA in psychology)
because I was tired of the slow progress and my analyst's habit of falling
asleep. Since he was ONLY an MA, his fees were only $90.00 per. I made
more progress in those 6 months than the 2.5 years previous. Within two
months of starting with him, my therapist suggested that I attend this
weekend he was involved in. I thought it was a gimmick to get more money
out of me, so I said no (which was OK by him). After a couple more
proddings from him I finally decided to attend.

IT WAS AN EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING AND INTENSE WEEKEND.

I uncovered and dealt with a core issue of mine involving my mother and
emotional incest. I won't talk about the process because not knowing the
process is an important part of the weekend, and I'd rather not discuss
the details of my personal experience in as public a forum as soc.men.

After the weekend I joined an integration group composed of 8 men who
had been on the weekend with me. Through the instruction provided by
the Warriors, the men in my group were taught to lead ourselves in
our work. Four weeks into the training, I stopped seeing my therapist.
This is actually a common phenomenon and was encouraged by my therapist.
Some men continue individual therapy along with their integration group.
Some men see their individual therapist only on an ``as needed'' basis.
I stopped because it was clear my progress would continue without him,
and because I just couldn't afford it any longer.

My integration group just passed our second anniversary in November.
One man dropped, but 2 others from the weekend have joined. They are
my closest and dearest friends. They provide me with confrontation,
modeling, support and love. No advice unless asked. Anything emotional
I ask for is given unconditionally and without hesitation. I love my
group and miss meetings only when I'm not in Illinois.

As of the week following the weekend, easily 60% of my personal growth
had occurred on the weekend (25% with the MA and 15% with the MD). As of
this week, 80% of my growth has occurred in my group; it is difficult to
remember if anything significant occurred during individual therapy.

The cost for the Warriors:
The weekend is $525 (I think), and the first 8 weeks of integration group
is $100. This is equivalent to 7 weeks of individual therapy with my cheaper
therapist, and I think far more beneficial.
Though the weekends are sponsored in the cities I named above, integration
groups are found all over the country in various parts of most states.

Call 312-WARRIOR for a brochure on the Chicago weekends. They can also put
you in touch with the group in a city closest to you. If you live in an
isolated area, have 4 people accompany you, as you'll then have an
integration group. You don't have to know them well, you'll fell extremely
close after the weekend.

Any Questions? Email for fastest response.

Ray Rueb
h: (312) 764-0313
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