The GROW With Your Team worksheet specifically helps with group development, team cohesion, and learning to set and achieve common goals. This can be a wonderful activity to use to start a group because it allows members’ active participation in accomplishing objectives and the healing process. These activities can help build healthy relationships and improve personal emotional wellness. Group therapy activities provide emotional connection, education, support, encouragement, and guidance that can improve mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. In this article, we will list various group therapy activities to use in your practice. Facing drug addiction or alcohol abuse can be an isolating experience, which is one of many reasons why treatment providers use group therapy and peer support in their programs.

• Group therapy provides individuals with a supportive environment to connect with others with similar experiences and struggles.
• Group therapy sessions focusing on relapse prevention equip individuals with the skills and mindset needed to overcome setbacks.
• It helps clients notice their strengths, past successes, and ability to grow and overcome challenges.

Give them five minutes or so to write down three “facts” about them, two of which are true and one of which is a lie. For participants, there are many reasons why group therapy is a treatment worth considering. Typically, group sessions are held once or twice a week for one or two hours per session. The minimum recommended number of sessions is generally six, but group therapy often continues for up to a year or more (Cherry, 2017). These group activities strive to demonstrate the importance of good communication and develop someone’s verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

Learn About Self-Care

Group therapy sessions focusing on relapse prevention equip individuals with the skills and mindset needed to overcome setbacks. This activity is based on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), behavioral activation, and goal setting. Each member of the group writes down a goal they would like to accomplish to improve mental health, such as diet, exercise, sleep, mindfulness, etc. One of the more successful options for substance abuse group activities is teaching meditation. Mindfulness-based interventions such as meditation have been demonstrated to reduce anxiety and shown a reduction in misuse among those with addictive behavior. There are many ways to incorporate meditation as one of your substance abuse group activities.

You will get an idea of the atmosphere of a group therapy session with adolescents and a model of effective facilitation from the two therapists. In the video description, there is a link to the full video if you’re hungry for more. Added topics include online therapy, specialized groups, ethnocultural diversity, trauma, managed care, and more. For this activity, the therapist should lead the group through a discussion of NUTS and ANTS, terms which can be used interchangeably when talking about the self-sabotaging habits we have. This cognitive therapy worksheet can help clients trace the development of a particular schema and understand the subsequent reactions, sensations, and choices he or she makes.

Understanding the Marijuana Withdrawal Timeline: What to Expect

This activity helps individuals feel more connected and provides a sense of belonging. This positive thought replacement worksheet is based on CBT and can be used in a group setting. Each member can write down or identify a negative automatic thought they typically have. The member sitting next to them will come up with a positive replacement thought.

• Together, these two modalities work hand in hand to address the multifaceted nature of substance abuse and promote long-term recovery.
• A 1-page worksheet for identifying things that promote addiction and ways to get rid of or avoid these things.
• They can share these stories with other group members, which helps reinforce the idea that the past is in the past and the future is an opportunity for new beginnings.
• Although benzos are extremely effective at treating certain conditions, healthy usage can quickly turn to an addiction if not managed properly.
• Working in a group will help relieve clients of this false belief and encourage them to share and connect with others.
• As clients do this individually, they can share the effects of the problem with group members, which offers support and validation.

To see the other questions or print this handout for use in your group sessions, you can access it in the Positive Psychology Toolkit©. Group therapy sessions can be slightly harder to facilitate than one-on-one sessions. Interactive dynamics and potential communication difficulties with larger groups, however, can often be planned for with effective goal-setting. Problem-solving practice helps identify strategies to support people in coping with the difficulties of life and creates the ability to solve everyday problems. Creativity has been proven to have positive clinical effects, especially on mental health disorders.

What is a Recovery Support Group?

Salads, sushi, and smoothies are recommended options for this activity since they don’t require a full kitchen to make. This exercise can help participants bring presence to their interactions and step out of autopilot. 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. Some of them will only be appropriate or effective in specific groups or situations, but some will be useful for all types of groups. Check out our blog posts and resource links for the latest information on substance abuse.

Participants will examine the food item, smell it, taste it without chewing, slowly chew, slowly swallow, etc. Have group members visualize what their lives would look like if they could let go of what was holding them back or what they were holding onto. After doing the visualization individually, have group members share about the experience.

Cognitive Behavioral Techniques for Group Sessions

Navigating these challenges and ethical considerations requires facilitators to strike a delicate balance between providing support and maintaining professional standards. By addressing these issues, substance https://ecosoberhouse.com/ abuse support groups can become more responsive, inclusive, and beneficial spaces for individuals on their journey to recovery. Have the members of your recovery group practice reflect on their self-love.

• Many of those struggling with depression or anxiety will turn to unhealthy, unhelpful, or even harmful ways to cope.
• The directions instruct the child to fill in the blank “When I feel…” with a specific emotion.
• Talk about the importance of good sleep hygiene (avoiding too much caffeine, avoiding screen time right before bed, getting up at the same time each day, etc.).
• This Strengths Spotting group activity aims to help participants identify and recognize psychological or character strengths in both themselves and others.
• These treatments consider the chronic nature of addiction, emphasizing the need for ongoing care and support.