Variety of Therapeutic Groups

Each unit has two scheduled groups and recreational therapy, which we encourage patients to attend. The group therapy model is largely considered effective treatment in the initial stages of the recovery process.

See below for our selection of group therapies. The list is not all-inclusive and continues to grow as patient needs arise. Population needs dictate the types of groups offered.

Emotional Management Group:

A cognitive behavioral group that teaches effective strategies in dealing with anger, shame, guilt, disappointment, embarrassment and other negative emotions that trigger inappropriate behavior.

Living Skills Development Group:

Focuses on the development of life skills which help patients cope with stressors in their family and community. Skill development exercises include interpersonal and social skills, anger management, problem solving skills, feeling and emotion processing, communication skills, self-awareness, self-esteem and behavior-impulse control.

Goal Setting Group:

Explores the use of attainable goals in patients’ daily structure to provide direction and motivation. The group reviews goals at the end of each day to enhance self-esteem when goals are accomplished and explore obstacles to goals that are not accomplished. The patient is responsible for setting goals so a sense of self-responsibility and ownership can be established.

Goal Process Group:

Allows each patient to review goals of the day and report on completion. The group teaches problem-solving skills and provides patients’ feedback regarding goals from staff and peers. It is led by a Master of Healthcare Administration.

Assertiveness and Boundaries Group:

Concentrates on teaching patients how to assert themselves in a healthy fashion and distinguish between assertiveness and aggressiveness. It is designed to help them gain confidence through assertiveness and enable them to modify aggressive behaviors. The learning process includes group discussion, role-playing, sharing of histories and rehearsals of newly learned behaviors.

Communication Skills Group:

Focuses on problems related to verbal and nonverbal communications. The goal is to increase skills in accurate and sensitive communication with others. Patients with admitted interpersonal relationship problems are most appropriate for these groups. Therapists often utilize role play or have patients rehearse scenarios from their own backgrounds.

Community Group:

Addresses problems specific to daily life on the unit. This includes adhering to rules and increasing coping skills to handle flare-ups that may occur in a close living situation. The group is offered to all patients, but participation is an individual decision. Patients may choose to elect officers, conduct their own meetings, help establish rules of order and take responsibility in resolving their daily issues. A Master of Healthcare Administration, supervised by the clinical staff, oversees this group. No progress notes are required unless a patient demonstrates highly unusual behavior.

Discharge Planning Group:

Begins the process of helping patients devise a plan for continued success after leaving our care. The discussion focuses on the importance of follow-up care which will correlate better outcomes and less chance of a relapse. Patients are educated on numerous service options to suit their specific needs.

Recreational Therapy:

Allows patients to learn and practice positive coping skills for their recovery and day-to-day living. Topics include art therapy, music therapy, stress management, leisure education, experiential learning, yoga and fitness.

Substance Abuse Group:

Explores the disease concept of alcoholism and chemical dependency. Conducted by a clinician with dependency experience, the group addresses the physical, emotional and behavioral aspects of substance abuse. It incorporates a 12-step model called the Recovery Dynamics Program.

Alcoholics & Narcotics Anonymous Meetings:

When appropriate, patients attend AA and NA groups on location. These meetings give patients the opportunity to tell their stories with substance abuse and discussion similar experiences with peers. It is a 12-step program run by volunteer community leaders.

Mental Health Education Group:

Conducted by a therapist with experience working with mood disorders, anxiety, grief, victim mentality and psychotic disorders. It teaches ways to identify unhealthy thoughts, unmanageable feelings and self-defeating actions that often lead to relapse. These groups focus on improving patients’ mindfulness and teaching them to not dwell on the past. Most groups utilize the cognitive-behavioral modality.

Art Therapy:

Occur weekly with a certified art therapist. It utilizes various mediums to express and resolve issues related to recovery.

Medication Education Group:

Designed to inform patients of the risks and benefits of medications and the importance of proper dosage. It also teaches them to communicate any concerns and questions to the patient’s physician is encouraged. This group is conducted by our nursing staff.