TIP: Empathy and Boundaries

One of the biggest gifts we can give someone is to truly see them.  To truly see someone means to understand the meaning behind what they are saying.  It means understanding not just the words but going much deeper and saying what’s not being said.  As group facilitators, part of our job is to make …

ACTIVITY: Stages of Change

This is an activity that brings stages of change to life!  Stages of Change by Prochaska, DiClemente and Norcross, is a wonderful way of normalizing the change process and helping clients understand the natural process of change.  It also affords us some great insights about how we can support clients in their change process by …

TIP: Feedback in Group

In this post, I do my best to explain some of the components of giving and receiving feedback that you need to be aware of as a facilitator, though these skills apply in our peer relationships as well as all other aspects of our lives.  Please leave a comment or send me a question if …

ACTIVITY: Flowers For You

Purpose: This activity helps clients practice giving and receiving praise Materials Needed: Glue; One paper circle for each participant and as many petals for each person as there are in the group.  So, if you have a group of ten, you will need ten paper circles and 100 paper petals.  If that feels like too …

TIP: Preparing for Group

Preparing the Lesson Plan  Before each group, it is important to prepare your lesson plan.  The more familiar you are with the material the easier it will be to flexibly respond to what comes up in the group and link individual treatment goals, the goals of the lesson, and what is coming up in the …

ACTIVITY: Opinion versus Fact

Purpose: This activity helps clients increase their awareness of opinions versus facts Materials Needed: Two index cards for each member in the group; a stack of pictures (from magazines – ideally the pictures should have a scene with something going on that the client can describe) Instructions/Steps: Provide each client with two index cards and …

TIP: Group Engagement: How do I know my group is engaged

When group members are engaged in group, they are in learning mode, they are more willing to try new skills, and I enjoy myself more because my job is easier.  But how do we know whether group members are engaged?  Sometimes it is as simple as asking yourself, what does the group feel like?  Do …

ACTIVITY: Problem-solving – Person Switch

Purpose: This activity starts the conversation around problem solving Materials Needed: Paper plates (or anything to mark spaces on the floor) Instructions/Steps: This activity was developed for 8 clients, but you can adjust it depending on the size of your group. Place the paper plates on the ground in 3 rows of 4. Ask the …

TIP: Surface skimming – Ways to deepen the conversation you are having in group

Groups in the early stages of development can feel “surfacy”. We have all had the client who checks in with “everything’s fine”, and declines to offer more depth.  A group culture that remains on the surface usually indicates a mismatch in client placement, a lack of safety and/or relationship in the group environment, or a …