Set a goal and an intention. The second step is about sharing positive success stories and listening to them. Strangers? Romantic interests? Open-ended questions are important in therapy. Here are twelve. This exercise aims to elicit the cathartic benefits of expressive writing therapy, a popular positive coping intervention that was developed in the 1980s. Describe your happy place in detail to the group. The best discussion topics will depend on the focus of the group, the stage of treatment, and the type of session. Find out more about and downloadDealing With Guilt Through Writing from ourPositive Psychology Toolkit. When they are done, they can share their counts and their NUTS and ANTS with the group, if they are comfortable doing so. What is respect? Do you physically embody the spirit of this animal, or are the qualities you admire those that you wish others saw in you, or those that you feel inside? Discuss trust. Everyone writes down their deepest, darkest fear on a piece of paper. Why or why not? Feel free to download and use this About Your Partner Worksheet. Why did you choose those particular events to include in your timeline? 1. Why did you pick this habit? Trust-building activities are also great ways to get group members comfortable with one another and encourage a safe and secure place to share. Everyone should go around and share a personal experience related to depression. Ask them what changes can be made to their current routine that would work towards their identified goals. Related Topic: Learn more about music therapy. To see the other questions or print this handout for use in your group sessions, you can access it in the Positive Psychology Toolkit. Boosting their commitment and motivation; and. Each person has to figure out what their label says by the way that people are treating them. For example, clients who are people-pleasers might exemplify this by constantly validating the comments of others while keeping their own stories to themselves in order to avoid potentially causing conflict. Check-Ins Many support group meetings and group therapy sessions start with check-ins. Flip the sheet over and invite them to draw or paint a picture of this animal in its habitat on the back. We have made this list available here: 60 MORE Substance Abuse Group Therapy Activities PDF please feel free to download it, print it, share it, and post it on your own website! What have they done to inspire you? What would you like them to know? We hope you enjoyed reading this article. They tend to have more structure than process groups and focus on a single topic. This group therapy ice breaker has 4 parts; first, participants will first get into relatively small groups of between 5-10 people. If there is anyone that they would like to forgive, and if so, is there anything they would like to share with that person? You can tailor the topics to relevant concerns within your group to provide appropriate psychoeducation. Can you rebuild trust and/or love once it has been broken? A standard approach to goal-setting in therapy will generally involve: We suggest you browse these articles for more ideas on how to set effective goals with your group therapy clientsthis article on Goal-setting in Counselling and Therapy is a great place to start. What makes someone a true friend? Identifying what steps are required to accomplish the goal Goal pursuit is typically simplified by identifying sub-goals so the process is more manageable. Group therapy topics: Mental health educational activities. Write down whatever comes to mind, even if its I cant think of anything to write; just put pencil to paper and see what emerges. Psychosocial benefits of cooking interventions: A systematic review. Most of these activities and exercises can be applied to a wide range of group therapy situations. Discuss how everyone perceives things in different ways and how not everything is as it first appears. These topics include: As this list of suggested topics demonstrates, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of topics for discussion in group therapy. Make a vision board with images and words describing your hopes and dreams for the future. Once each group member has identified and described their three favorite animals, ask them to consider that each animal represents you, in different ways. How do you think the person who wrote on that piece of paper developed their fear? Discuss the reasoning behind each answer and compare with the rest of the group. It begins with a visualization script that guides the group members through the visualization itself. Music Therapy for Substance Use Disorders. Discussing situations where Box Breathing can be helpful, and practice it. If you could tell the whole world just one thing, what would it be and why. Discuss the quote, God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. What things in your life can you change? Is one better than the other? (2017, January 11). Why SimplePractice? Write down a list of worries and/or fears, then tie the list to a balloon and release it into the air to symbolically let go of your burdens. Nominate one member to be the questioner or the therapist can act as the questioner. Group therapy activities for substance abuse can be related to a variety of topics including education, shame, guilt, triggers, cravings, boundaries, health, mental health, and sober support. Nonetheless, fun activities for drug and alcohol abuse group therapy often lean on a few common themes throughout the recovery journey. Substance Abuse Treatment: Group Therapy, this. ANTS refers to Automatic Negative Thoughts, an acronym coined by David Burns in his groundbreaking book Feeling Good. Why or why not? Group therapy activities for substance abuse can be related to a variety of topics including education, shame, guilt, triggers, cravings, boundaries, health, mental health, and sober support. A visual representation of this is given in the worksheet itself. What are some other activities you could pursue to enhance that time? Mental health worksheets: Take 15% off your of $40 or more by using coupon code "april2023" at checkout! This is a great way to examine stereotypes and treatment of others. What actions can you take to stop bullying if you see it? Every two weeks our clients engage in group phase therapy in which each individual reports on which phase they think theyre currently working on in their personal recovery journey. Give group members a few minutes to identify their NUTS and ANTS and count how many they can identify within a certain period of time. Lastly, substance abuse group activities can provide group leaders with an opportunity to provide psychoeducation in an interactive way that members respond to. It involves six steps. This podcast from Jennifer Sneeden and Katie K. May is a great resource for therapists who are considering the addition of group therapy sessions or workshops into their practice. Talk to the character and tell them to leave you alone. If not, what do you wish you had done? Katie is a counselor in Philadelphia who runs a successful private practice, and in this podcast she shares some of the keys to her success. Required fields are marked *. Would you say you had a satisfying childhood? How can you move past them and let go? Then write a list of problems or issues that concern you, such as world hunger, animal cruelty, homelessness, etc. It is led by a team of licensed therapists and entails the following 5 types of groups: 5. Groups can be further broken down by discussion topics and the structure of the group itself. Did you pick the same person in both instances? When we look at treatment programs that are designed to help individuals who are struggling with a substance abuse disorder, we often see that treatment facilities utilize a combination of different approaches. Write a mock obituary for yourself. How did you handle it and/or how can you handle it in the future? Make a list of the best moments in your life. Process groups are mostly unstructured with no singular topic of discussion. (2014, August 11). How does helping others, in turn, help you? Write out a timeline of your life including any events of your choosing. What are they? Also, please leave a comment below if you have other ideas, or would like to add to the discussion. As an example, someone might have noted that they are grateful for their home, with a connection flowing to comfort or love. There are many different kinds of groups with different areas of focus, but they generally fall into one of two categories: 1) Psychoeducational These groups are intended to provide members with the information they need to address or cope with whatever it is that brought them to the group; they are usually structured with specific topics or modules to cover. This worksheet will be available for download soon. They should ideally be taking note all the while of the impact they are having on their listener partner. This engaging gratitude activity is a great opportunity for teens and adolescents to exercise their creativity and express themselves. At the most basic level, group therapy is: a form of psychotherapy that involves one or more therapists working with several people at the same time (Cherry, 2017).. Listening to what other members share can provide a sense of validation and normalcy for members who may have thought that they were alone, or wrong for feeling as they do. Group therapy and addiction treatment are natural allies. endstream endobj 1312 0 obj <>/Metadata 67 0 R/Pages 1307 0 R/StructTreeRoot 110 0 R/Type/Catalog/ViewerPreferences<>>> endobj 1313 0 obj <. Discuss the following sentiment: our emotions are the only things that are real in this world; everything else is just a perception. Play Jeopardy with addiction-related topics such as triggers, coping skills, and healthy behaviors. Discuss the impact of language. These questions dont probe too deeply, but can be a good reminder of the couples emotional connection and relationship history. The rest of the group comments on the accuracy of their assessment and gives advice. This fun activity is based on the work of renowned psychologists Elisha Goldstein, Aaron Beck, and David Burns. Playing an instrument. Discuss the concept of the locus of control, ie. Labels can include things like addict, criminal, arrogant, depressed, liar, rich, poor, sick, stupid, etc. This worksheet contains guided reflection and (potentially) discussion questions that you can provide the speaker, for instance, How did it feel to speak mindfully compared to how you normally speak?. Ri~ImRf@nwB l*W+KTQARS/'Ltxq-6H)J]gRwISZA W(+*0 !0 :c1La*BP@ !e8ecX Ok2 Whats the best thing that could happen from using drugs again? Decorate the outside of a box with words and images that represent the side of yourself that you show to the world. Substance abuse group activities are one of the most intimidating parts of rehab for many people. Next, invite the participants to check out what other participants have written. These rules must be followed for the safety of the group and the effectiveness of the treatment. Share a song with the group that has real meaning for you and explain why. Describe one of your biggest goals in life. Decide as a group which ten items to bring. Join other psychologists, psychiatrists, and therapists growing their private practice on therapybypro.com. They should create a line that flows from each item (they can be circled or in a heart) to a reason for their gratitude. If you are working with members that dont jump at the chance to speak in front of the group, having a specific set of questions to guide the check-in process can be helpful. Group therapy is a type of psychological therapy that allows people with similar issues to come together and work through their problems and support one another during the addiction recovery process. View all of our, mental health forms, worksheet, and assessments here. Cherry, K. (2017, May 20). Come to the group session with a list of questions prepared. What are your fitness goals? Identify and discuss triggers for substance use. Tasks might include walking through an obstacle course, drawing a picture on a blackboard, cleaning up objects off the floor, etc. What can you do when youre faced with cravings? Would you use any of these activities in your practice? ), Other People (for instance: Apart from you, who can your partner discuss their difficulties with? 1345 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<3C8872BB749D314F9AB97C5801B4A21D><6D4D7F9C1448F04786D85DC1BD7F9A83>]/Index[1311 64]/Info 1310 0 R/Length 151/Prev 461646/Root 1312 0 R/Size 1375/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream To continue the exercise, encourage the participants to swap roles and repeat the activity. For example, I am needy, but I am also loving, or I eat too much unhealthy food, but Ive started meal-prepping.. Who are your heroes? For example, family values could. Have your group work in pairs or smaller groups to identify their triggers. Provide group members with a worksheet that lists emotions that can be uncomfortable or challenging to cope with. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. What makes you uniquely you? Many of the exercises and activities described above can be applied to group therapy with younger members, but some are more appropriate than others. Discuss the consequences of breaking abstinence after treatment. Groups can run in either a closed or open format: Open group: Group members can join at any time. These groups further encourage exploration of emotional and interpersonal conflicts, confrontation about denial and harmful behaviors, and discussion about responsibilities and limitations. She has experience working with individuals living with a variety of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and trauma. or message us below and one of our caring counselors will reach out to you. Discuss the importance of empathy and walking a mile in someone elses shoes.. What actions can you take to remove yourself from harms way if needed? Discuss the following quote: There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it, Edith Wharton. Why or why not? Are you also willing to be a support system for them? The group dynamic encourages honest feedback and facilitates bonding between individuals with shared experiences. Reading this out loud to your group will help them create a mental image of the future event; one in which it is attainable. Make a list of reasons to never use again. Write what you like about your bubble. This tool provides a fun way to prompt conversation in a group setting. Lead a discussion about how anger can often mask other emotions that we are uncomfortable with. Do this exercise with other emotions and scenarios as well to further practice empathy. Substance abuse disorders will often be rooted in deep emotional pain from childhood trauma, depression, grief, or other difficult situations. Handout 1 Relapse Prevention Group Page 3 of 3 ALCOHOL: THE LEGAL DRUG . whether or not the consequences of our actions are within our control. Have your group work in pairs or smaller groups to identify healthy. Take a moment to bring this goal forward and visualise it in your minds eye.. How do your eyes feel? They are expected to be present and engaged in the group sessions. This article is chock full of activities, exercises, worksheets, and techniques that can be put to effective use in group therapy. Instruct the group members to come up with their three favorite animals, in order. For example, the first person might say birds, and the second might say flew, and the third might say by, and the fourth might say my, and the fifth might say window, etc. Write about or describe any scene using all five senses to stimulate sensory awareness and to encourage attention to detail. Whether youre a therapist who already facilitates group therapy, a mental health professional who is looking to incorporate group sessions into your practice, or simply curious about group therapy, you will find value in these resources. Discuss adaptation and flexibility. 1) Open groups: new participants are welcome to join the sessions at any time; for example, Alcoholics Anonymous is an open session that invites new members to join in any session. INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM (IOP) ANGER . Examples of trust-building activities that can be used with teens and adolescents include: Pair off the group members. Write a letter of love, support, and encouragement from your future self. Draw connections between your strengths and your problems, suggesting ways you can use your personal talents to make the world a better place. This schema leads to a set of four interrelated and interacting consequences of the schema: bodily sensations, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. What actions can you take? ` Break down the goal into small, concrete steps and draw a road map to success. As uncomfortable as it may sound, sometimes sharing difficult thoughts and feelings in a group setting can be extremely helpful in facilitating healing. Ask the group to identify something that has been holding them back in their recovery. What does the word respect make you think of? Create a group story word by word. These science-based exercises will explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology including strengths, values, self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, and group therapy members. This Strengths Spotting group activity aims to help participants identify and recognize psychological or character strengths in both themselves and others. Read more about this Silent Gratitude Mapping activity in the Positive Psychology Toolkit. Indeed, people who abuse substances have been shown to stay more committed to abstinence when taking part in group treatments, in part because of the support and affiliation of fellow group members (Leshner, 1997; Project MATCH Research Group, 1998). Have your heroes changed throughout your life? If the couples are comfortable with this idea, they can share out to the group on something they learned about their partner or a fun memory they recalled together. Participate. . Black-emerging adult males face many barriers to the effective engagement in substance abuse treatment including stigma, lack of access to resources, and engagement with the criminal justice system. available at TherapyByPro to guide discussion on concerns relevant to your group members. While youre watching TV you can do yoga. Share. If there is enough time, the partners can switch when the object(s) has been found. As an example, you can discuss the use of . "Substance Abuse Group Therapy Activities for Adults" is a must-have resource for therapists, counselors, and group facilitators working with adults struggling with substance abuse issues. Other than gently guiding conversation, the group leader is responsible for picking up on client issues that reoccur in group therapy and in daily life. Why or why not? 2) Closed groups: the therapy sessions are closed to a core group of participants; new participants may only be welcomed when a new group is formed (Cherry, 2017). This book provides a wide range of effective group therapy activities and exercises that focus on helping adults overcome substance abuse and addiction. Process their experience by talking about what worked and what wasnt as helpful in the next session as a follow up. Check-in question ideas. Typically, group sessions are held once or twice a week for one or two hours per session. Its a slightly adapted take on traditional expressive writing, however, in that it includes some questions and prompts to stimulate and guide participants as they write. Several exercises and techniques that work well in younger groups are listed below. How can you use their behavior to motivate you on your recovery journey healthy? Through the group dynamic, clients foster hope and examine core issues that exacerbate their addictive disorders. Then write another list of ways you hope they can change for the better and grow as a person. It allows participants to share something about themselves, use their creativity and imagination to come up with a convincing lie, and learn interesting things about the other group members. First, as a therapist and facilitator, you will inform the group about the rationale for a Mindful Speaking exerciseits benefits in relation to whatever your session concerns, and how it can be broken down into three steps. Other substance abuse group activities focus on the senses: smell, touch, taste, sight, and sound. What makes you laugh? Why did you choose this place? How can the check-in connect and support the rest of the agenda and the overall purpose of the gathering? What would others write for you and what would you prefer them to write? Theme groups are focused on support and finding commonalities between members. Can you identify any patterns or similarities between the events? Do you share the same fear? Tense up all of your muscles then progressively relax them. Going in with some idea of what to expect can help you focus on your recovery instead of on your nerves, so here are 60 substance abuse group therapy activities and topics you might encounter during your experience during a theme/support group: If you liked this list, please feel free to share it or link to it! , please leave a comment below if you have other ideas, or other situations. Your eyes feel, May 20 ) and practice it or twice a week one. Article is chock full of activities, exercises, worksheets, and from. Let go that focus on a single topic one member to be the questioner the positive Psychology Toolkit act. Helpful, and healthy behaviors groups to identify something that has been broken below if you could to! Can provide group leaders with an opportunity to provide psychoeducation in an interactive way that people are treating.. Labels can include things like addict, criminal, arrogant, depressed liar! 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Questioner or the therapist can act as the questioner check out what their label says by the way that are... Responsibilities and limitations Break down the goal goal pursuit is typically simplified by identifying sub-goals the... And listening to them encouragement from your future self what does the word respect make you think person... Rest of the gathering real meaning for you and what wasnt as helpful in facilitating healing between members themes! Per session in its habitat on the focus of the most intimidating parts of rehab for Many people their favorite! Your eyes feel and practice it they group therapy activities for adults with substance abuse to have more structure process... In deep emotional pain from childhood trauma, depression, grief, or other difficult situations work of renowned Elisha! Objects off the group members to come up with their three favorite animals, in,. Your problems, suggesting ways you can discuss the reasoning behind each answer and compare with the group coping,! Format: open group: group members assessment and gives advice expected to be a Good of!