Interactive Groups as Intermediate Space & Way of Living

March 12, 2025

Interactive Groups as an Intermediate Space

This is a way of understanding one of the reasons that Interactive Groups are valuable. An Interactive Group is riskier than individual therapy/coaching but safer than real life. So it is an intermediate space between the two. 

If someone has progressed far enough along in individual therapy, they may want to take a risk with new behavior. They can first do it in an Interactive Group, where they have support from the leader and the group, and where people know they are practicing something new. Then, when they are ready, they can take the risk in their everyday life.

Of course, many people join interactive groups who are not currently in individual therapy or coaching. For them, an Interactive Group is a safe place to grow and also to try out new behavior and practice new capacities. For instance, one person might practice being assertive, while another might experiment with allowing vulnerability. While you are practicing, you can be aware of what is happening inside you. You feel the capacity (or a part that blocks it). You also get feedback on how you come across.

Interactive Work as a Way of Living

I see Interactive Groups as more than a means for inner transformation and interpersonal growth. They certainly do that well--helping people to heal inner wounds and learn to relate more effectively and lovingly in their lives. In addition, these groups promote a healthy way of being, an evolved culture for interpersonal relationships. People develop deeper and more honest relationships, and they relate to all people with more confidence, openness, caring, and strength.

People can help groups in their lives to become more like interactive groups, where appropriate. They have been transformed by their work in group (and other growth work) so they naturally bring these values into all their relationships, groups, and communities. They influence the people they relate to and work with, too. They contribute, in their small way, to helping our culture to evolve in the direction it so desperately needs to go.