Before joining a support group after clergy abuse, ask who leads it, who can attend, what participation involves and how privacy is handled. You can request that information before sharing your history. A group's purpose, boundaries and approach to faith should fit what you are looking for.
This guide is for adults considering peer support. Some people want to meet others with similar experiences; others prefer individual support or are not ready for either. Looking into a group does not commit you to attending, speaking publicly or taking legal action.
Clarify what kind of group it is
“Support group” can describe several arrangements. Ask whether the meetings provide peer conversation, structured education or clinical group therapy. Find out who runs the organization, who facilitates each session and what training those facilitators have.
For comparison, NAMI describes its support groups as peer-led opportunities to share experiences; its programs have particular audiences and are not specifically clergy-abuse groups. NIMH explains psychotherapy as treatment that commonly takes place with a licensed mental health professional, including in group settings. The label on an invitation alone does not establish that distinction.
If you are seeking treatment for a particular concern, ask a qualified clinician whether a proposed group meets that need. Our therapist-selection guide addresses credentials and preliminary conversations in more detail.
Ask about fit without giving a detailed account
An inquiry can focus on the meeting itself: “I am an adult looking for support after abuse involving a religious leader. Could you send the eligibility criteria and group guidelines before I decide whether to register?”
Questions that may help include:
- Is the group for survivors, supporters or both? Are there age or other eligibility requirements?
- Is experience with clergy or institutional abuse part of the group's focus?
- Is it a fixed group meeting over several weeks, or can different people attend each time?
- Can someone attend initially without describing the abuse?
- How are unwanted advice, graphic detail or pressure to share handled?
A group may need an intake conversation to determine fit. Ask what information is necessary, who will receive it and whether you can first discuss the process. If an organization cannot offer a suitable place, you can ask for another referral without supplying additional personal details.
Make room for your own relationship with faith
You may want religious language and practices included, prefer a secular setting or be uncertain. Ask whether prayer, religious teaching or discussion of forgiveness is part of the meetings. Also ask how the facilitator responds when participants have different beliefs or different relationships with a religious community.
Institutional affiliation can matter to that choice. Ask who funds or hosts the group and whether it shares information with a diocese, congregation or another organization. A meeting held in a religious building and a program operated by a religious institution are not necessarily the same arrangement; seek a clear explanation rather than inferring one from the address.
You can state a preference directly: “I want to discuss the effects of what happened without being urged toward reconciliation.” Or: “My faith matters to me, and I want it treated respectfully.” You do not need to settle those questions permanently before seeking support.
Understand the limits of a privacy agreement
Ask for written rules about recording, screenshots, participant contact outside meetings and information kept by the organizer. For an online group, check display-name and camera requirements, whether chat is saved, and how invitations and reminders appear in your inbox.
Sexual Assault Support Services' published guidelines illustrate why these details matter: they address private participation, recording and third-party platform risks. Those are that organization's rules, not guarantees about another group. Its page lists groups as paused when checked October 15, 2026; it is cited here as a policy example, not an available meeting referral.
An agreement among participants does not make it possible to promise that no information will ever leave a meeting. Ask the organizer about confidentiality limits and circumstances requiring outside contact before sharing sensitive information. If you have a pending legal case and are concerned about discussing its details, ask your own lawyer about that question separately.
Plan for the practical parts
Confirm the current schedule, time zone, cost, accessibility and registration process with the organizer. A search result or old calendar may not reflect a current opening. For online attendance, consider whether other people can hear the conversation or see your screen. Ask about alternatives if you do not have a private location.
After an initial meeting, you might consider whether the facilitator respected boundaries, whether expectations matched the description and whether you want to return. You can ask questions, try another setting or pause. There is no requirement to make a group work simply because it helped someone else.
A trusted person can help you compare logistics if you want. Our guide for someone supporting a survivor explains ways to offer that help while leaving decisions with the survivor.
Sources and scope
Checked October 15, 2026. A decision aid, not an endorsement of a group or a treatment recommendation. Availability and eligibility must be confirmed with the provider.
- NAMI: Support Groups.
- NIMH: Psychotherapies.
- Sexual Assault Support Services: group guidelines and FAQs, including its current pause notice.
General information, not legal or clinical advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Legal options and deadlines depend on the facts and jurisdiction.