taking the escalator group activities
You should be receiving an order confirmation from Paypal shortly. This is a brief icebreaker or discussion focused on the role technology plays in mental health. It can be beneficial to take time to reflect on things in life that are going well. As a group: Share one Musical Memory and talk specifically about some of the emotions that are attached to it. Understanding Harm Reduction - The Podcast, - For lower insight levels, comparing what is using, abusing and addiction, - Basic progress report worksheet for getting relevant discussion started, - Similar to the other but in a different format, - An older outline about COD's and addiction some people (LH) still like to use (Updated version on About page), - Outline of different ways individuals may protect themselves in group settings, "Understanding Insight and Motivation for Positive Change", Understanding the Key Roles of Insight & Motivation for Engagement in Counseling, Simple Insight Inventory II - (External/Support). Taking the Escalator releases brief icebreakers and group therapy modules about twice per week in the "Forum" section on the Taking the Escalator: Group Activities by Topic page of the website. Some potential topics - FOOD, HOBBIES, MUSIC, EXPERIENCES, ENTERTAINMENT, We all know about warning labels on things like medication which may have a warning label that says "Do not drive or operate heavy machinery after taking" or something like that. When was the last time you felt a "rush" , elation, excitement or other intense positive feelings without the use of any substances? 5 Activities for Your Group Therapy 3 Useful Exercises for Adults Mindfulness Activities for DBT Group Sessions This would be something that you may have never imagined you would do, but you have now done (Positive answers only). Taking the Escalator offers a variety of free assessment and screening tools. What are your three instructions for your life replacement? Check out the free articles on this site to better your counseling skills using the Taking the Escalator Method which is designed to be effective with challenging clients who may not be ready to change, This page has amazing stuff for counselors including educational powerpoints on Evidence-based treatment practices as well as quick links to important sites including where to find treatment anywhere in the US, This page has resources including group therapy materials as well as educational materials and presentations specific to Trauma, Taking the Escalator offers a variety of free assessment and screening tools. The Real in Substance Use Treatment, Escalator Second Floor: Acknowledge and Reinforce Strengths, Simple Insight Inventory - Strengthening existing insight to build motivation, Simple Insight Inventory II - (External/Support) - Working on external motivators and supports, Pick a Card - A variety of questions for insightful discussion. Just about everyone has at least one historical event that interests them. What works for you? Almost everyone has a memory associated with a song. Back Submit. Insecurity - Everyone has them, is the group ready to share them? Do you feel like you get enough time in nature? Assessing highs and lows of getting high, Labels - For lower insight levels, comparing what is using, abusing and addiction, Perspective Shifts for Positive Growth- VIDEO LINK: Perspective Shifts for Positive Growth, Point of View Adjustment - Looking at other viewpoints to gain awareness, Taking a Trip to the Other Side - Again exploring insight and motivation building from new perspectives. Nicole "Nikki" Tierney is a close friend of Taking the Escalator as she has worked closely with Taking the Escalator clinicians during her personal journey of recovery. What is one thing specifically about nature that you really appreciate? The next list is a list of specific Taking the Escalator activities that have a history of a great success rate with adolescent groups, even with challenging or resistant teens: See next page for activities list for adolescent groups: www.takingtheescalator.com f Effective Adolescent Taking the Escalator Activities: (No particular order) Self Maintaining a Balanced Ego - Looking at a balanced view of self. You can submit it here. What is your Turnaround story? Report. This page is the primary source for therapy material. To get started, it helps to create a habit plan. 3. 2. Consider some examples below: " I always aced my way through school my whole life until graduation, then the first time I went to college and got a bad grade because the work was just too hard for me, it was like a smack in the face that I could no longer breeze by without trying too hard any more", "For the first half of my life I thought that people who got addicted were weak until one day in my 50's I had surgery and got hooked on pain pills and now I see the real struggle involved", "I dumped or cheated on everyone I dated for years until one day I got really attached to someone who ended up suddenly dumping me for someone else and it crushed me and I have a new perspective on how I treated other people in my past", AS A GROUP: Share some of your own "Eye Opener" moments, 4/27/22 - Group Discussion: "Gratitude Moment: I Thought I Would Never But I Did! Try to come up with examples to discuss for the following two thoughts about the idea of "never, What are three things in your life right now that are at least at a "stable" point in your life (No real problems to speak of at the moment in these life areas), What have you been doing to increase stability in your life? Then, the group should all say "Well said!" Icebreaker Question Cards What warning label would be appropriate for you when you first wake up in the morning? everyone in the group should complete the following sentence based on their life: "I could give other people lessons on how to survive ___________________". Keep checking the Taking the Escalator website regularly as counseling tools are continuously being added and updated." KENNETH PECORARO. The 11 Step Guide for Life Coaches, Pastoral Counselors and Therapist, Grief and Loss Workbook from Better Endings, Substance Abuse and Overdose: When a Loved One Dies, Understanding and Coping with Guilt and Shame, Simple Insight Inventory II - (External/Support), Should I See My Friend's Therapist? This is a straightforward group activity for building insight. Self Esteem II - More self esteem, continued Self Esteem Boost: Building Self Esteem and Increasing a Sense of Self Worth. For this group icebreaker on greatness discuss these two questions as a group: 1 - Who would you consider "great" in the world today or in history and why? Ok maybe there are. 6/1/22 - Icebreaker: "The Old Soul in Me". It is great that you made it to this group. This is not an opportunity to brag about behaviors that would be considered dangerous, aggressive illegal or anti-social, Share and discuss your own unique ways of going against the grain, Taking the Escalator needs you - Click here to see how you can support - (It won't cost you a cent), Finally a New Way to Combat the Opioid Epidemic, Alternative Counseling & Recovery Coaching Tools. I never thought that(Discuss an unexpected GOOD thing that has happened to you. What skills will you use to COPE? if you gave them enough time and practice? This icebreaker is about, ways that we all go against the grain in our own unique way, *The only rule is to keep discussion innocent (harmless) and light. If I can help it, one thing I will never do again is. 4. We can take some of these subtle things for granted if we don't take the time to notice them. To start group today first do this simple exercise. takingtheescalator.com Addiction and Substance Use Resources Non 12 Step Motivational Harm Reduction Tools for Substance Use & Mental Health Taking the Escalator Therapy Tools (Same tools, but organized according to the Taking the Escalator Method) ( Click here to view alphabetically) +Share For this icebreaker exercise, go around the group and discuss this thought provoking imaginary scenario: Imagine that a museum exhibit was going to be made all about YOU. Unlike the Group Activities by Topic page, the materials here are for shorter discussions, warm- ups and close outs as part of longer group sessions, as well as occasional articles and other resources from around the web As an icebreaker discussion: Everyone in the group should give their thoughts on this scenario:If you could unite the world to agree to work together on one goal or project,what would you choose and why? 4. For this brief exercise, as a group, discuss the following two points: 6/29/22 - Icebreaker - "Take a Brief Step Outside of Your Comfort Zone". As she and two of her classmates start to organize a class presentation, Sally says to herself, "I'm sure I'll be able to do it right this time." How can Sally instruct herself effectively? Have you signed up for Taking the Escalator ? and applaud. takingtheescalator.com Addiction and Substance Use Resources Non 12 Step Motivational Harm Reduction Tools for Substance Use & Mental Health TAKING THE ESCALATOR Taking the Escalator needs you -Click here to see how you can support- (It won't cost you a cent) Addiction and Substance Use Resources 2022 . For this group icebreaker, everyone in the group is asked to accept the challenge to step outside of their comfort zone, even if its just a little. Go around the group and discuss how everyone is doing with regard to the following relationships in their life today. When you are not in this group, if you need to process this further: Where can you get more, Counselor may want to prepare some local resources, 4. Directions: Take turns sharing some nicknames you have had a different points in your life and share the origin of the name. To view the CCI website directly go to - https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Overview, < To search by word anywhere on this page press: CTRL F >, 6 Shoulds and Should Nots for Responsibility. There is also a large selection of TREATMENT PLANNING material on this page too. The FORUM page has icebreakers and brief therapy modules. - Examining the Pros and Cons, Decreasing the Negative & Increasing the Positive, Getting Started - (What Do I Do? What would be the warning label outside of the front door of your parents house? Download Free PDF Brief Group Module and Icebreaker Collection 2 - Taking the Escalator releases brief icebreakers and group therapy modules about twice per week in the "Forum" section on the Taking the Escalator: Group Activities by Topic page of the website. One way that we can increase insight is to objectively look at ourselves through the eyes of others. - Podcast, CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) - "10 Basic Messages for Families" Slides - Robert Meyers PhD, External Motivation - Looking at what pushes us to change and ways to increase support, Family Match Game - An icebreaker discussion for multii-family therapy group, Good Choices for Good Living - For Families, POWERPOINT SLIDES - Good Choices for Good Living - For Families, Healthy Families - Looking at positive family qualities, Helpers - Identifying who is out there to help you with the change process, The Pendulum - Examining Common Family Issues - Examining some common family challenges, Stages of Change -A Guide for Families of Individuals with Substance Use Issues, Support Report - Assessing and maximizing exisiting potential support system, Support Zones & Interpersonal Boundaries - Stepping outside of your comfort zone to build support, Strategy List for Families Dealing with a Loved One's Substance Use Issue, VIDEO - Click here to see the above outline "Strategy List for Families" via Facebook Live video, CONFIDENCE BUILDING - (Overcoming Fear of Failure), Feelings, Thoughts and Emotions (General), Dealing with Feelings - Coping with feelings from three viewpoints, READ: Emotional Self-Prevention - Looking at sensitive areas, Feeling Under the Weather - A brief true-false list to open an honest discussion about feelings, Five Key Aspects of Appropriately Managing Feelings, Happiness Factor - (Submitted by Lesley SanFilippo, LCSW), The IDEA Technique - A tool for coping with challenging thoughts and feelings, READ: Please Dont Feed the Monster - An illustration about negative thoughts and feelings, Thinking About Thinking - Looking at the link between thinking, feeling and behaving, Thinking, Feeling and Coping in Challenging Scenarios, Thinking Styles - Tool for self-analyzing how we think, Thoughts and Feelings - Gaining an improved understanding how our thoughts and feelings affect us, Drop the Rocks - Letting go of resentments, Forgiveness and Self Care - Contributed by Jamie Lewitt MSW Intern, Giving Activities - There is more happiness in giving than receiving, VIDEO LINK for above worksheet - Don't Just Set Goals, Keep Them Going, Four Year Prediction Time Capsule - An interactive exercise on long term goal setting, Giving Yourself the Best Chance to Succeed, Goal Setting - Using goals to build motivation, Goal Setting Collective: Looking Forward to the Year Ahead, Hopeful Thoughts and Plans for the Year Ahead - Discussion questions for the upcoming year, PCRP - Person Centered Recovery Plan - (Submitted by Katie Tracy, LCSW), Overreaction: Putting Things in Perspective with Gratitude, Coping with Death and Dying - A simple outline for discussing coping with a recent loss without abusing substances, Grief and Loss Cycle (Submitted by Caitlin Kennedy, LCSW, LCADC), Guilt and Shame - Understanding and learning to cope with these challenging feelings, Understanding and Coping with Guilt and Shame - Similar to the other but in a different format, Straight D's -A Simple Harm Reduction and MAT Illustration, Taking an Honest Look at Abstinence, Harm Reduction, Substitution & Cross Addiction, Understanding Harm Reduction and Medication Assisted Treatment -The Basics, Understanding Harm Reduction - The Podcast - (Based on the above outline - click title to listen), Icebreaker (See "Cohesion Building for Groups" on this page) Also check Forum page, Counting the Cost of THC (This has nothing to do with marijuana), How High was I..How Low did I Go? Unity - the state of being united or joined as a whole. What are some things from your life that would be included in the exhibit? Discuss: Life can be exciting even without drugs and alcohol. - Looking at some fears that can be obstacles to progress, Strengths and Weaknesses Examining strengths we have and weaknesses we need to work on in the change process, Overcoming Obstacles and Breaking Down Barriers. Gail takes extra care to be cooperative as she and her classmate work on an art project together. Special Message for People Who Have Signed Up, Simple Questions During Complex Challenges. At the end of each subheading section are some additional resources from around the web for Taking the Escalator users to look through and download. Accountability and You - Are You Meeting the Challenge? How can you use these experiences to look atfuture challenges with a more positive viewpoint? Taking the Escalator needs you - Click here to see how you can support - (It won't cost you a cent), Finally a New Way to Combat the Opioid Epidemic, Alternative Counseling & Recovery Coaching Tools. These materials are open source for public use, Materials that are from outside sources are marked with a square bullet point as done for this line. Even when troubling things happen in the news we need to keep moving forward in our own lives. Based on what you have heard in this group so far, what else can you do to increase your motivation to successfully get going in the morning? 4/21/22 - Icebreaker Against the Grain, As you know, to "go against the grain" means to choose a path that does not go with the flow of society. Are your judgments based on feelings rather than facts? When you are not in this group, if you need to process this further: Where can you get more SUPPORT? Each group member writes down their "first impression" of other group members. ", "Since I have been more health conscious I have become accustomed to eating vegetables, which I used to hate", "I used to go to concerts and get so high and drunk I would forget most what even happened, but I have since really learned to love and appreciate the show and the music with a sober and clear mind", A billionaire handed you a credit card and said go out and buy anything you want, The president called you and said you can do anything you want today and you will be legally pardoned, You woke up with the opportunity to trade lives with one person in the world for the next 24 hours, You could snap your fingers and change one thing for good, As you know, to "go against the grain" means to choose a path that does not go with the flow of society. 2 - What is one thing you can say that you are "great" at? It is our policy not to violate other source's copyrights, so if you notice a potential conflict, please email us at [emailprotected]. Discuss the following thoughts as a group: Life can be interesting as with time and some persistence we can learn to like or even love things that we once had no interest in or perhaps even hated. As an icebreaker discussion: Everyone in the group should give their thoughts on this scenario: If you could unite the world to agree to work together on one goal or project. The invention of the escalator was, literally, ground-breaking. - Getting honest about the real reasons for coming to treatment, Wisdom, Intelligence and Changing Your Paradigm, READ - Integrity - (Reflective reading submitted by Charles Radiola, MA, LCADC), Life Story Outline - An outline for presenting life stories in substance use treatment groups, Living Up to Your Potential - Part 1 - Opening the Door, Living Up to Your Potential - Part 2 - Imagining Your Potential, Living Up to Your Potential - Part 3 - The Me I want to Be, Matrix Model (SAMHSA) - See "Stimulants" below, Meaning and Purpose in the Change Process, Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment (See also Feelings, Thoughts and Emotions - See also Co-Occurring), Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Overview, Read: Should I See My Friend's Therapist? 2 - What is at least one thing you would not ever do for any amount of money. 5/26/22 - Brief Outline for Discussing Violence in the Media.