The Bay Area Hearing Voices Network’s adult peer support groups help voice hearers come out of isolation and resist stigma. Participants can safely discuss their voices and experiences without judgement. They are encouraged to find meaning in their voices, and become the experts of their own experience. Group facilitators have lived experience and speak from their own experiences. This differs from clinical “therapy” groups where there is an identified therapist.

Our groups adopt Hearing Voices Network values. There is no assumption of illness, and society’s norms about “mental illness” are challenged. Ordinary, common language is used in place of clinical labels, as medicalized language limits and undermines understanding about the content of voices and experiences.

Participants are also encouraged to find support and community outside the group with other group members.