Soundings Circles ~ Frequently Asked Questions

That’s completely up to you! You’re welcome to leave your camera off for all or part of the circle. No one will be “called on” to talk. You can participate by sharing in the chat, too. All discussions, writing prompts, guided imagery, and other activities are optional. Please use your discretion about how and what to take part in based on what you know about your needs and capacity.

If you are willing to come as you are and try out the experiences offered, you have all that you need! No one will be graded, evaluated, or required to share what they write or imagine. This is a judgment free zone to experiment with various ways of going deeper into your experience. No experience or special aptitude required!

Soundings Circles are intended to be a communal experience. To encourage a safe environment for sharing, discussions will not be recorded. Guided imagery sessions will be recorded and emailed, along with writing prompts, to anyone who registers. Only Lori’s screen and audio will be recorded, and she will announce when the recording is taking place.

There is no perfect guarantee of safety or confidentiality in a group space. However, you are in complete control of what you choose to disclose, so please weigh the potential risks and benefits of sharing before you disclose to the group.

Groups members create a culture of safety by respecting each member’s decisions about being on/off camera/audio; by using language that is respectful and affirming; by anticipating that there will be differences between members but that what brings the group together is stronger than those differences; and by honoring the confidentiality of what is shared. The recording policies described above are meant to underscore the importance of creating a safe space that respects confidentiality.

Lori will monitor and address any behaviors that take away from the safety of the group. Any participants whose behavior is harmful to the group or an individual member may be removed from a Soundings Circle without warning and/or banned from future Soundings Circles.

Absolutely not! Soundings Circles are a hybrid of a writing group and a community gathering; they are not any kind of support group, mental health group, psychotherapy, or health/medical service. By registering, you are acknowledging that the Soundings Circle is not therapy and that Lori Cangilla is not establishing a therapeutic relationship with you. You should talk with your personal therapist to see if Soundings Circles are a fit for you.

Please contact Lori directly at Lori@SingularlySensitive.com. If you’re uncomfortable putting your concern into email, please request a brief phone call.