Join Us for the March Session of Our Admin Support Group!

This month, we’ll explore “Managing Boundaries in High-Emotion Situations.” As an admin, navigating emotionally charged interactions can be one of the toughest aspects of leadership. In this session, we’ll cover:

• Recognizing when to step in and when to step back.

• Setting and communicating clear boundaries to maintain group harmony.

• Protecting your emotional well-being while supporting distressed members.

• Practical tools for de-escalating heightened emotions.

Through shared experiences and actionable strategies, this session aims to empower you to manage high-emotion scenarios with clarity and compassion.

📅 When: Third Thursday of March at 8 PM EST
📍 Where: Zoom

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and connect with other admins who understand the unique challenges of community leadership.

Join Us for the March Session of Our Admin Support Group!

As May approaches, the Lyme community gears up for a month of advocacy, awareness, and action. While this time brings excitement and unity, it can also feel overwhelming—especially for those who have been fighting this battle year after year. In this session, we’ll discuss:

💚 What Lyme Awareness Month means for the community – the opportunities, challenges, and impact.

💚 Managing expectations and workload – balancing your energy while still making a difference.

💚 Navigating the highs and lows – the excitement of advocacy vs. the frustration of slow progress.

💚 How to make an impact without burnout – setting realistic goals and protecting your well-being.

Let’s come together to share experiences, support one another, and set the stage for a meaningful, sustainable Lyme Awareness Month.

📅 When: Third Thursday of April at 8 PM EST
📍 Where: Zoom

Join Us for the May Session of Our Admin Support Group!

This month, we’ll tackle “Diffusing Lyme Rage in Online Communities.” Lyme rage—intense emotional outbursts triggered by neurological symptoms—can create challenges for both group admins and members. In this session, we’ll discuss:

• How to recognize Lyme rage versus typical frustration in online interactions.

• Strategies for de-escalating conflicts and keeping discussions constructive.

• Setting boundaries while offering support to members experiencing emotional outbursts.

• Coping techniques for admins who experience Lyme rage themselves while managing a community.

Through shared experiences and practical tools, this session will help you maintain a supportive, balanced group environment while safeguarding your own well-being.

📅 When: Third Thursday of May at 8 PM EST
📍 Where: Zoom

Don’t miss this chance to gain insights and connect with other admins who understand the unique challenges of leading Lyme communities!

Join Us for the June Session of Our Admin Support Group!

This month, we’ll focus on “PTSD & Community Leadership: Managing Our Own and Supporting Others.” Many admins and members in Lyme communities experience PTSD due to medical trauma, misdiagnosis, or long-term illness. In this session, we’ll cover:

• How to recognize PTSD in yourself and others.

• Common signs and symptoms, especially in online interactions.

• Best practices for addressing PTSD-related distress in group discussions.

• Tools for managing your own triggers while leading a support community.

By fostering awareness and implementing trauma-informed approaches, we can create safer, more understanding spaces for healing.

📅 When: Third Thursday of June at 8 PM EST
📍 Where: Zoom

Join us for an insightful discussion and connect with fellow admins who truly understand the weight of this role.

Join Us for the July Session of Our Admin Support Group!

This month, we’ll explore “Setting Boundaries as Helpers: Protecting Our Energy & Personal Lives.” As admins, we pour so much into supporting others, but without firm boundaries, burnout is inevitable. In this session, we’ll discuss:

• How to set healthy boundaries when helping Lyme patients online.

• Strategies for separating admin responsibilities from personal time.

• Avoiding compassion fatigue and learning to say “no” without guilt.

• Protecting our loved ones from the emotional toll of our work.

By establishing clear boundaries, we can continue to serve our communities while preserving our own well-being.

📅 When: Third Thursday of July at 8 PM EST
📍 Where: Zoom

Join us for a conversation on maintaining balance, protecting your energy, and sustaining your role as a leader without sacrificing your personal life.

Join Us for the August Session of Our Admin Support Group!

This month, we’ll dive into “Collaboration Among Group Leaders: Turning Challenges into Opportunities.” Working with other admins and leaders can be rewarding, but it also comes with unique frustrations. In this session, we’ll explore:

• Why collaboration can sometimes lead to tension and misunderstandings.

• How to navigate differences in leadership styles and group goals.

• Practical strategies for resolving conflicts and fostering mutual respect.

• Creating doorways to positive, productive interactions that benefit the community.

By improving communication and setting clear expectations, we can strengthen partnerships and create a more united support network.

📅 When: Third Thursday of August at 8 PM EST
📍 Where: Zoom

Join us as we discuss the realities of collaboration, share experiences, and discover ways to work together more effectively.

Join Us for the September Session of Our Admin Support Group!

This month, we’ll explore “The Decision Tree: A Tool for Smoother Group Management.” Running a support group requires making tough calls, often in high-stress situations. A decision tree can provide clarity and consistency. In this session, we’ll cover:

• What a decision tree is and how it simplifies admin responsibilities.

• How to create and customize one for your group’s unique needs.

• Why using a structured approach reduces stress and admin burnout.

• Practical examples of decision trees for conflict resolution, rule enforcement, and member support.

By implementing a decision tree, you can streamline group moderation, ensure fairness, and make leadership less overwhelming.

📅 When: Third Thursday of September at 8 PM EST
📍 Where: Zoom

Join us to learn how this simple but powerful tool can make running your community easier and more effective!

Join Us for the October Session of Our Admin Support Group!

This month, we’ll focus on “Patient Family Support: Navigating the Challenges and Embracing Gratitude.” Family dynamics play a huge role in the healing journey, both for us as admins and for the members we support. In this session, we’ll discuss:

• How to navigate our own experiences with family support—or lack thereof.

• Supporting group members who feel alone and have no family backing.

• Recognizing, appreciating, and nurturing the support systems we do have.

• Coping strategies for admins balancing leadership with personal struggles.

By sharing insights and strategies, we can better support both ourselves and our communities in handling the emotional complexities of family dynamics.

📅 When: Third Thursday of October at 8 PM EST
📍 Where: Zoom

Join us for this important discussion and connect with other admins who truly understand the highs and lows of family support in the Lyme journey.

Join Us for the November Session of Our Admin Support Group!

This month, we’ll explore “The Holiday Season: Coping with Loneliness, Expectations & Group Dynamics.” The holidays can be a time of joy for some, but for many in our communities, they bring stress, isolation, and emotional challenges. As admins, we not only navigate our own experiences but also support members through this difficult season. In this session, we’ll discuss:

• Loneliness during the holidays—how to support members who feel isolated and how to cope if we experience it ourselves.

• Holiday expectations vs. reality—managing our own emotions and helping members adjust their expectations.

• Coping with holiday stress—balancing admin responsibilities while prioritizing our well-being.

• Group dynamics during the season—why emotions run high and how to create a supportive space.

By acknowledging these challenges and sharing practical strategies, we can help ourselves and our communities navigate the holidays with greater ease.

📅 When: Third Thursday of November at 8 PM EST
📍 Where: Zoom

Join us for this important conversation and gain tools to support both yourself and your group during the holiday season.

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Join Us for the December Session of Our Admin Support Group!

This month, we’re tackling “Burnout: Recognizing, Preventing & Recovering from Exhaustion.” As the year comes to a close, many admins feel the weight of another year spent supporting others. Add in holiday stress, and burnout becomes all too real. In this session, we’ll explore:

• How to recognize the signs of burnout before it takes a toll.

• The impact of holiday and year-end exhaustion on admins.

• Strategies for preventing and managing burnout while still showing up for your community.

• How to step back, recharge, and set yourself up for a healthier new year.

By prioritizing our own well-being, we can continue to support others without sacrificing ourselves in the process.

📅 When: Third Thursday of December at 8 PM EST
📍 Where: Zoom

Join us as we reflect on the past year, share tools for recovery, and commit to entering the new year with renewed energy and balance.

Join Us for the January Session of Our Admin Support Group!

This month, we’ll focus on “Managing Expectations & Setting Intentions for the New Year.” The transition from the holiday season into a new year can bring a mix of emotions—relief, pressure, uncertainty, and renewed hope. As admins, we juggle our own expectations while continuing to support others. In this session, we’ll explore:

• Managing expectations—for ourselves, our groups, and our role as admins.

• Setting realistic goals—how to create sustainable intentions for the new year.

• Coming down from the holiday season—recognizing emotional shifts and allowing space to reset.

• Balancing leadership with self-care—avoiding the pressure to start the year at full speed.

By approaching the new year with intention and balance, we can set ourselves up for a more sustainable and fulfilling year as both admins and individuals.

📅 When: Third Thursday of January at 8 PM EST
📍 Where: Zoom

Join us for a thoughtful discussion on starting the new year with clarity, purpose, and a renewed sense of balance.

Join Us for the February Session of Our Admin Support Group!

This month, we’ll explore “Ableism in Ourselves & Our Communities: Recognizing and Addressing Bias.” Even within support spaces, ableism can show up in unexpected ways—both in how we treat ourselves and how it manifests in our groups. As admins, fostering an inclusive and understanding space starts with awareness. In this session, we’ll discuss:

• Internalized ableism—the pressure we put on ourselves to “push through” and how to show ourselves more compassion.

• Ableism in support groups—how to recognize subtle biases and create a more inclusive space.

• Balancing encouragement with validation—supporting members without minimizing their struggles.

• Challenging ableist thinking while maintaining group harmony—how to navigate difficult conversations with sensitivity.

By identifying these patterns, we can work toward a more supportive, accessible, and understanding community for all.

📅 When: Third Thursday of February at 8 PM EST
📍 Where: Zoom

Join us for this important discussion on shifting perspectives and fostering a truly inclusive support environment.