No Judgment Zone is a support group with a difference: not a therapy group, a 12-step program, or a religious meeting, it is an opportunity to talk and listen while striving for full acceptance of ourselves and each other. We take turns sharing whatever we wish while helping each other tune into our habitual tendencies to judge–whether with approval or criticism–virtually everything from people’s appearance to their innermost thoughts.

Our attachment to our own opinions can create great suffering for ourselves and others. Bringing “unconditional positive regard” (a term coined by the humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers) to our relationships fosters mutual respect, compassion for our human imperfections, and freedom from the feelings of judging and being judged. It doesn’t mean that everything we do is fine; instead, it involves basic respect for each other based on acceptance of who we truly are–the good, the bad, and the ugly.

We often start with whole-group sharing and discussion, then break into smaller groups to improve awareness of our critical reactions in both the speaker and listener roles.

No Judgment Zone is open to everyone age 18 and over, regardless of religious background or preference, or lack thereof. By attending the group, we agree to hold everything shared as confidential.