What Are Peer Support Circles?

A Peer Support Circle with the ASI is a confidential sanctuary where you leave your professional roles aside, drop defenses, and speak from the heart with courageous vulnerability and honesty. Every two weeks, for 90 minutes, you’ll meet face-to-face online with your designated group of 4-5 fellow ASI members. Your Circle will convene 8 times in total. Each group includes a facilitator and a technician dedicated to supporting smooth experiences. Peer Support Circles are not recorded.

Important: Peer Support Circles are not therapy, counseling, or professional mental health treatment. They are peer-to-peer support groups facilitated by volunteers.

Your Agreement to Participate

By participating in ASI Peer Support Circles, you agree to these terms:

1. Understanding the Nature of the Program

• This is peer support among spiritual leaders, not professional therapy, counseling, or medical treatment.

• Participants and facilitators do not provide professional mental health, legal, or medical advice.

• Circle facilitators are volunteers, not licensed professionals.

• You are responsible for your own well-being and decisions.

2. Confidentiality and Privacy

• All participants agree to keep discussions confidential.

• Recording of any kind (audio, video, written notes about others) is prohibited.

• Do not share personal information about other participants outside the circle.

• You control what you choose to share about yourself.

3. Appropriate Participation

• Attend all scheduled circle meetings, except in case of a genuine emergency, and if that is the case, inform the Circle Facilitator.

• Be on time for the circle meeting.

• Minimized distractions, keep your mics muted unless one is speaking, keep webcams on with your face visible, refrain from eating or looking at your phone during the circle meeting.

• Treat all participants with respect and compassion.

• Do not use circles to promote your services, products, or teachings.

• Refrain from interrupting when others speak.

• Give feedback to another member only when asked, or ask for permission to offer feedback prior to sharing it.

4. When to Seek Professional Help

If you are experiencing:

• Mental health crises or emergencies.

• Substance abuse issues.

• Serious emotional distress requiring professional intervention.

• Legal problems.

Please seek appropriate professional help. Peer Support Circles are not equipped to handle these situations.

Release and Waiver of Claims

Your Voluntary Participation

You understand that participation in ASI Peer Support Circles is entirely voluntary. You may leave at any time without penalty. There will be no refunds for any meetings that have not been attended once the program has started.

Assumption of Risk

You acknowledge that:

• Discussing personal and professional challenges may bring up difficult emotions.

• Other participants are not trained professionals.

• ASI cannot guarantee the feedback or support you receive from peers.

• You participate at your own risk..

Release of ASI and Related Parties

You agree to release and hold harmless the Association for Spiritual Integrity, its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, facilitators, and agents from any claims, damages, or injuries that may arise from your participation in Peer Support Circles.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Emotional distress from discussions or feedback.

• Disagreements with other participants.

• Any advice or suggestions received from peers.

• Any actions you take based on circle discussions.

• Technical issues with online platforms.

This means that if something goes wrong or you’re unhappy with your experience, you agree not to sue ASI or hold them legally responsible, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing.

ASI’s Responsibilities and Limitations

What ASI Provides

• A structured format for peer support.

• Basic guidelines for circle participation.

• Volunteer facilitators to help guide discussions.

• A confidential environment for sharing.

What ASI Does Not Provide

• Professional therapy, counseling, or treatment.

• Guarantee of specific outcomes or benefits.

• Professional supervision of discussions.

• Emergency mental health services.

• Legal or medical advice.

Ending Your Participation

You may stop participating at any time by informing the facilitator of your decision and not attending future circle meetings. There are no refunds for unattended meetings or once the program starts. Your confidentiality obligations continue even after you stop participating.

Modification of Terms

ASI may update these terms periodically. Continued participation means you accept any changes. We will notify participants of significant changes when possible.

Emergency Situations

If someone expresses intent to harm themselves or others during a circle:

• Any participant may contact emergency services (911).

• The facilitator will interrupt the session if needed.

• Professional help will be encouraged immediately.

Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of Colorado, USA. Any legal disputes will be resolved in Colorado.

Your Acknowledgment

By participating in ASI Peer Support Circles, you acknowledge that:

✓ You have read and understood these terms and conditions

✓ You understand this is peer support, not professional treatment

✓ You agree to maintain confidentiality

✓ You accept responsibility for your own well-being

✓ You release ASI from liability as described above

✓ You will seek professional help when appropriate