Facilitator Manual for Online STEPS Groups

We suggest you read through this manual before running your online course, as it gives a good overview of the process.

You can then refer back to the relevant sections as and when you need to while running the course.

Many who consider beginning a STEPS course may have some reservations about the Manual and the tight structure. We have discovered that, even though it is substantially different to what we are used to, the style of the group is both valid and powerful. Our experience with the courses so far has clearly shown the need to follow the structure rather than weaken it, and in fact, people quickly become familiar with and feel secure in the boundaries, making it easier to focus on the essentials.  The agreed framework also means that more people can act as group facilitators because they can use a tried and tested format.

Whilst the Manual may seem lengthy, we do show here how the 12 Step process can easily work whether in a small or larger group setting. Our hope is that given the available tools, all who are motivated to take hold of this process, can safely do so.

Regardless of the platform you use to run STEPS (online, in person, small group, or multiple groups in one course) the structure remains the same. We set out in this Manual the specific considerations you may want to think about when running a STEPS group online.