A group therapy program involves a trained therapist working with multiple people simultaneously in a safe environment. In group therapy, Florida residents learn how to communicate effectively and socialize while setting boundaries, being vulnerable, accountable, and receiving support from peers who understand and can empathize with their journey. If you or someone you love is with mental health and/or a substance use disorder, contact United Recovery Project Detox online or call us at 833.525.0166 today to learn how our group therapy programs can be the first step in regaining control.
The Benefits of Group Therapy Programs
Therapy itself has countless benefits but a group therapy program offers those struggling with mental health issues and substance abuse unique benefits, including:
- Providing support
- Offering you a sounding board
- Propelling you forward into recovery
- Teaching social skills
- Cheaper than one-on-one therapy
Activities for Group Therapy in Florida
Group therapy goes beyond sharing details of your life with others. If you are near Boca Raton, Florida, your group therapy program at United Recovery Project Detox will include activities that enhance the experience, encourage you to open up more, and teach valuable life skills and coping mechanisms that will prove essential in your life of sobriety.
A Guiding Light
This activity involves drawing or painting a lighthouse that represents the guidance you need in your life. You will be on the water, in a boat, needing whatever that light represents (family, faith, friendship, hope).
Positive Memory Play
In this group therapy program activity, you and your fellow students share the most positive, joyful memory they have, but this is just the beginning. You will direct a theatrical presentation of this moment with group members cast in various roles in your story. You watch the scene unfold, like an autobiographical Broadway play, and you comment on the feeling and memories brought forth by the show.
Friendship Mural
The most simple of group activities centers around a large banner provided by the counselor that reads: “A true friend is someone who…”
You and your fellow group members then complete the sentence. You fill the mural with images and words that define friendship, support and understanding people in your life.
Group Therapy
Art plays a big role in activities during a group therapy program. Here, the group members get encouragement to see the strength present all around them every day. This will help to develop the resilience that will pay dividends throughout recovery. This is accomplished by creating an image with pencils or paint of something in nature that survives, even thrives, in a harsh environment – a flower growing through a crack in a sidewalk, a fish at the bottom of the ocean, an animal that lives in the heat of a desert, for example. Expressing yourself through art and discussing the work of others helps improve communication and mindfulness.
The Ally You Need
Continuing the theatrical nature of group activities, you will think of a person or character, a person who can be real or imaginary. This person should be powerful, strong, or wise. Next, you will think back to a time when you felt scared, helpless, or out of control. Finally, you will imagine that ally with you during that difficult experience and create a short play of this moment, casting a fellow group member as the supportive, strong ally in your corner to play opposite you.
Constructing Your Inner Child
You will draw yourself as a child, but don’t worry if you are not an artist. Even if you appear as a stick figure on the paper, what matters is what happens next. Add other images and important words, phrases, and sentiments around the drawing of yourself. This will give the younger version of yourself what she, he, or they need going forward, including a supportive, nurturing adult in their life.
A Timeline of Highs and Lows
Make a timeline on a piece of paper with two points on opposite ends of the line. Label the left one “birth” and the endpoint on the right, “now.” Identify three high points and three low points from your own life and graph them according to your age (horizontally) and according to the feelings in the experience (vertically). Low points will be below the timeline, and high points will be above it. Connect the points with zig-zag lines and share these events with the group. The group members will respond with cheers on the high points and boos or words of encouragement at the low moments. By naming the high and lows, you take ownership of your life experiences, and by receiving support from the group, you will understand that you are not alone anymore in your life’s timeline. We offer treatment for the following types of addiction:
- Opioid addiction
- Benzodiazepine addiction
- Alcohol addiction
Learn More at United Recovery Project Detox
If you or someone you love is looking for group support after detox therapy programs near Boca Raton, Florida, contact United Recovery Project Detox using our secure online form or call us at 833.525.0166 today.
