Emotions Anonymous
Emotions Anonymous (EA ) is a self-help group founded in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1971, their thematic orientation is based on the twelve-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous. 1996, there were 1,200 EA groups in 39 states.
An essential component of the program is the anonymity of the members of the EA groups. There are assessed neither membership fees nor out members or attendance records.
Target group of EA
The only requirement to be a member of an EA group, is the wish to attain mental health, or they want to get. The goal is to be emotionally healthy and to stay and to be understood by the individual group members. EA would like to appeal to people with many different problems, among which are life crises, difficulties in coping with personal or professional daily life, grief, inhibitions, moods, fears, addictions, compulsive behavior, addictions, ... to neurosis, which frequently psychosomatic of unexplained be accompanied symptoms.
Program and meeting
By working with the twelve-step program and meetings ( so-called meetings ), the parties may attempt to reveal their behavioral patterns. EA proposes to stand by his illness, including the first admission of the disease itself heard even over. The work on the twelve steps is designed to give members a new personal view of themselves and their problems. It 's all about honesty over self. EA itself is analyzed or not assessed, a new view to your own situation, according to EA be achieved through participation in the program and meetings. EA makes in this regard not make promises that statements are based on the experience of other members.
The regularly scheduled meetings provide space to talk about himself and his life. Topics guidelines do not exist. No one has to say something. No one is criticized or evaluated. It's not about mutual consultation, but to develop by listening and presentation of one's situation, new perspectives and to recover so. A key point here is that there are no rules. The program consists only of recommendations, the fulfillment of the membership is not mandatory. Everyone takes it for himself with what helps him anything he does there.
An important component of the program is spirituality. It is recommended to the members, a so-called "higher power " look up, but not in the traditional religious sense, but to their own ideas accordingly. This includes all religions and beliefs. EA itself is neither religion nor cult, there are no beliefs taught.
Differences from other twelve-step programs
Most twelve-step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Border Liners Anonymous speak to specific problems. In EA, however, the emotional health of each person in the foreground. This EA provides a great openness and is a focal point for people with different pathologies. This is of particular benefit to people with psychological or psychosomatic complaints, except EA have no other twelve-step group in their area. Even for people with multiple diagnoses EA can be a focal point.
See main article: Twelve -step program
Alternatives
Points of contact for further help are about doctors, psychotherapists, charities and self-help contact points. In many cities there are in addition to the twelve-step self-help groups offer that deal with emotional problems such as depression, anxiety or borderline.