Please email hello@ts12anon for a current meeting schedule.
The Value of Confidential, Anonymous Meetings
It is highly encouraged that any meeting that uses TS-12 Literature as a foundation for healing should be confidential and anonymous, which provides a safe space where participants can share openly and without fear of judgment or repercussions. Anonymity fosters an environment of trust, where individuals feel free to be vulnerable and honest about their experiences, struggles, and growth. By keeping personal information private, we create a space where each person’s story is protected, allowing members to connect over shared experiences rather than personal identities.
In line with this commitment to privacy, it is encouraged that groups should use only first names or first names and last initials during meetings. This approach honors each participant's need for privacy while upholding the principle of equality among members, fostering a compassionate and supportive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and treated as an equal.
Autonomous Meetings: TS-12 groups operate autonomously, meaning each group is self-governing and has the flexibility to adapt its format, meeting guidelines, population qualifications and structure to meet the specific needs of its members. This autonomy allows groups to create environments that are uniquely supportive for their participants, whether they choose to be in-person, virtual, professional-led, or peer-run. Each group has the freedom to determine how to best implement these resources. This independence empowers groups to shape their own dynamics, leadership, and meeting protocols, fostering a safe, inclusive space that reflects the values and goals of each individual community.
This flexibility also allows for the formation of groups that cater to a wide range of trauma experiences. Some groups may choose to provide meetings for general healing while others may focus on specific types of trauma, such as those healing from sexual betrayal, childhood trauma, or those who have experienced violence. Other groups may choose to be gender-specific, which might be helpful in some situations, such as for those who have been sexually violated.
The autonomy of TS-12 meetings encourages creativity and adaptability, empowering each group to shape its format in a way that respects the unique healing journeys of its members. Whether a group focuses on one particular area of trauma or offers a broader approach, the goal is to foster a safe, compassionate space where all participants feel seen, supported, and encouraged on their healing path.
Various Groups That May Choose To Use TS-12 Literature
Some traumas need the support and guidance of qualified professionals such as trained therapists, clergy or coaches, while peer-led groups may be a better fit for others and typically have minimal or no cost.
TS-12 seeks to welcome multiple meeting types to best meet the needs of participants. Because groups are autonomous, the following are suggestions only:
TS-12 encourages mentorship, when possible, as part of working the program. A mentor in TS-12 is more like a sherpa—an experienced guide who has traveled the challenging path before and can offer direction, support, and encouragement, but ultimately respects that each person must climb their own mountain.
By sharing their own experiences, strength, and hope, mentors can gently guide others through the steps, encouraging professional help, and personal spirituality when appropriate. Their role is to support, not replace, the direct relationship each individual builds with their Higher Power, the steps, or a therapist. A mentor can also witness a mentee's surrender to their Higher Power.
A healthy mentor-mentee relationship is based on clear boundaries and mutual respect. Mentors, like mentees, need to feel comfortable and safe in this role, which sometimes means recognizing when they may not be able to hear certain details without triggering their own trauma. In these cases, it is often best for mentees to explore triggering specifics with a trained professional such as a therapist.
Choosing a mentor can be a deeply personal decision, and it’s wise to seek our Higher Power’s guidance in discerning if a particular person might be a good fit. A mentor’s primary purpose is to listen, provide perspective, and encourage connection with their Higher Power, not to take on roles such as therapist, spiritual leader, or decision-maker. This approach keeps the focus on personal empowerment and safety while allowing both the mentor and mentee to grow within healthy boundaries.
Note: In settings such as group therapy, where everyone is at a similar stage of healing, mentors might prove challenging or unreasonable. In these situations, we encourage finding a mentor outside of the group or group connection.
It is highly encouraged that any meeting that uses TS-12 Literature as a foundation for healing should be confidential and anonymous, which provides a safe space where participants can share openly and without fear of judgment or repercussions. Anonymity fosters an environment of trust, where individuals feel free to be vulnerable and honest about their experiences, struggles, and growth. By keeping personal information private, we create a space where each person’s story is protected, allowing members to connect over shared experiences rather than personal identities.
In line with this commitment to privacy, it is encouraged that groups should use only first names or first names and last initials during meetings. This approach honors each participant's need for privacy while upholding the principle of equality among members, fostering a compassionate and supportive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and treated as an equal.
Autonomous Meetings: TS-12 groups operate autonomously, meaning each group is self-governing and has the flexibility to adapt its format, meeting guidelines, population qualifications and structure to meet the specific needs of its members. This autonomy allows groups to create environments that are uniquely supportive for their participants, whether they choose to be in-person, virtual, professional-led, or peer-run. Each group has the freedom to determine how to best implement these resources. This independence empowers groups to shape their own dynamics, leadership, and meeting protocols, fostering a safe, inclusive space that reflects the values and goals of each individual community.
This flexibility also allows for the formation of groups that cater to a wide range of trauma experiences. Some groups may choose to provide meetings for general healing while others may focus on specific types of trauma, such as those healing from sexual betrayal, childhood trauma, or those who have experienced violence. Other groups may choose to be gender-specific, which might be helpful in some situations, such as for those who have been sexually violated.
The autonomy of TS-12 meetings encourages creativity and adaptability, empowering each group to shape its format in a way that respects the unique healing journeys of its members. Whether a group focuses on one particular area of trauma or offers a broader approach, the goal is to foster a safe, compassionate space where all participants feel seen, supported, and encouraged on their healing path.
Various Groups That May Choose To Use TS-12 Literature
Some traumas need the support and guidance of qualified professionals such as trained therapists, clergy or coaches, while peer-led groups may be a better fit for others and typically have minimal or no cost.
TS-12 seeks to welcome multiple meeting types to best meet the needs of participants. Because groups are autonomous, the following are suggestions only:
- Support Circle-Run Groups: Support Circle Groups are peer-led, grassroots communities that foster mutual support, encouragement, and understanding among members. These groups, led by the “Support Circle”, can be powerful sources of hope, providing a space where individuals draw strength from each other’s shared experiences and progress. By coming together as equals, Support Circle-run groups empower members to learn from one another, celebrate growth, and create a supportive network that reinforces the healing journey for all involved. Support Circle groups are responsible for their own funding, such as a meeting space (there may be inexpensive or free options such as some churches) and/ or online platforms such as Zoom. Support Circles are typically made up of 3 or more members that include a moderator, co-moderator and secretary.
- Professionally Run TS-12 Meetings: Meetings facilitated by professionals—such as therapists, clergy, or certified coaches—offer a structured, guided environment that can be especially supportive for individuals navigating trauma healing. Because these professionals bring their own expertise, guidelines, and practice-based structure, they often establish a unique meeting format tailored to the needs of their group members. As a result, TS-12’s suggested meeting structure may not be necessary in these settings. Professionals should make it clear that they are there to guide, but that the program is spiritually based and God is ultimately the director of healing. Also, groups run by professionals may be subject to fees for their expertise, time, locations and services.
- Established 12-Step or Recovery Groups: Some established 12-step or other recovery groups may wish to incorporate TS-12 materials to embrace a more trauma-sensitive approach. In doing so, they may choose to retain their current meeting structure, incorporating TS-12 concepts and/or literature while honoring their established format. This adaptability allows groups to integrate trauma-sensitive perspectives into their existing framework, enabling them to provide additional support that respects and addresses the experiences of trauma survivors.
TS-12 encourages mentorship, when possible, as part of working the program. A mentor in TS-12 is more like a sherpa—an experienced guide who has traveled the challenging path before and can offer direction, support, and encouragement, but ultimately respects that each person must climb their own mountain.
By sharing their own experiences, strength, and hope, mentors can gently guide others through the steps, encouraging professional help, and personal spirituality when appropriate. Their role is to support, not replace, the direct relationship each individual builds with their Higher Power, the steps, or a therapist. A mentor can also witness a mentee's surrender to their Higher Power.
A healthy mentor-mentee relationship is based on clear boundaries and mutual respect. Mentors, like mentees, need to feel comfortable and safe in this role, which sometimes means recognizing when they may not be able to hear certain details without triggering their own trauma. In these cases, it is often best for mentees to explore triggering specifics with a trained professional such as a therapist.
Choosing a mentor can be a deeply personal decision, and it’s wise to seek our Higher Power’s guidance in discerning if a particular person might be a good fit. A mentor’s primary purpose is to listen, provide perspective, and encourage connection with their Higher Power, not to take on roles such as therapist, spiritual leader, or decision-maker. This approach keeps the focus on personal empowerment and safety while allowing both the mentor and mentee to grow within healthy boundaries.
Note: In settings such as group therapy, where everyone is at a similar stage of healing, mentors might prove challenging or unreasonable. In these situations, we encourage finding a mentor outside of the group or group connection.