In the spring of 2023, the Aftermath Foundation provided a support group for women who had survived abusive relationships with people with psychopathy, with the expectation of starting a support group for men in the future. The group was provided by Aftermath Foundation volunteers who were clinicians and graduate students. Based on the positive reactions of the members of this group, we have continued to provide support groups for survivors. We have now held four women-only groups, and we had our first men-only group in the fall of 2025.
Each group lasts for 8 consecutive weeks either in the spring or the fall. We have been able to find members who are interested in the groups by advertising them to people on the Aftermath Foundation mailing list and announcing them on our website.
We have discovered that these groups provide members with something they have often not been able to find: a chance to share their experiences with other people who have also gone through traumatic experiences with people with psychopathy. Attendees gain not only in information about what has happened to others, but also in understanding some commonalities in these kinds of relationships, and a recognition that they are not the only ones to whom these things have happened.
During the process of providing these groups, we have learned that support groups are especially valuable when members can interact with others who have had the same type of a relationship with the person with psychopathic traits in their life. For example, we have been able to have groups in which each attendee had a relationship with a family member with psychopathic traits or a relationship with an intimate partner with psychopathic traits. Although everyone’s experiences (and suffering) are unique, the sharing of a somewhat similar type of relationship with a person with psychopathy can contribute substantially to the cohesiveness of a group.
Each group session has a topic that is provided to the group members. We make it clear that we are providing a support group, not a therapy group. A support group helps to provide validation for the group members’ thoughts and feelings. A support group does not provide the same benefits as psychotherapy or counseling. Because the group members have had to deal with some similar situations, they find it helpful to learn that others have been experiencing some of the same kinds of things. It helps to know that you are not alone.
If you might be interested in attending a support group for survivors, please contact us for more information or to add your name to the waiting list. We can be reached at aftermathfoundationhelp@gmail.com .
