This page has all of the Taking the Escalator original material organized according to the Taking the Escalator Method. and applaud. It is good for both adolescents and adults and for people with any type of presenting problem as the directions are clear and simple: Just take turns reading out loud each of the "fill in the blank" discussion points and let group members give their answers - http://takingtheescalator.blogspot.com//fill-in-blanks-dis Each group member writes down their "first impression" of other group members. This list is compiled with many self-care ideas for anyone trying to deal with life. I often feared it would happen but it never did. Who do you invite and what is the topic of discussion? 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". The process is easy: Take turns allowing everyone in the group to make a thoughtful statement. To start group today first do this simple exercise. 5-Minute Autobiography Affirmations Activity First Impressions Good for newly formed groups. You can only give them three instructions for successfully managing your life. To Control or Not to ControlIs that the Question? Maintaining a Balanced Ego - Looking at a balanced view of self. 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. This is a brief icebreaker or discussion focused on the role technology plays in mental health. For Counselors: READ: Working with Adolescents and Young People. Taking the Escalator takingtheescalator.com Addiction and Substance Use Resources Non 12 Step Motivational Harm Reduction Tools for Substance Use & Mental Health Taking the Escalator Homepage Home Group Activities by Topic Forum About Trauma Resources More NEWS and UPDATES: GIVE A GOOGLE REVIEW GOOGLE REVIEW Follow on YouTube YouTube Follow on What is Self-Honesty and Why is it So Important? More therapy material posted several times per week - JOIN: Need a quick icebreaker to start out your group? 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. > As an icebreaker discuss the following three points: Directions: Discuss this question as an icebreaker: Imagine a fantasy scenario where someone else is going to take your place in life for one month. 5/26/22 - Brief Outline for Discussing Violence in the Media. > Tell the group a story about yourself that you have not told before, perhaps something that is a little surprising about you if you can, > Show the group something from your life that opens up your world a little more to the rest of the group. You should be receiving an order confirmation from Paypal shortly. (If you cannot think of anything, then talk about something you would like to be great at). 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? Lets begin! To Control or Not to ControlIs that the Question? 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. Even when troubling things happen in the news we need to keep moving forward in our own lives. everyone in the group should complete the following sentence based on their life: "I could give other people lessons on how to survive ___________________". Try to be specific. Discuss the following questions as a group: 6/6/22 - Interesting Discussion Topic - "Worst Job, Best Job, Dream Job". 3. READ - Topping OutWorse than Hitting Bottom? Make sure you are fully utilizing all of the free resources on. There is also a large selection of TREATMENT PLANNING material on this page too. 6/1/22 - Icebreaker: "The Old Soul in Me". It is great that you made it to this group. . Some examples are provided to help get the group started: When done, as a group discuss this final question: > What other positive and healthy things in life do you think that you could get accustomed too. Background: Something got you up and going this morning. If you are working with clients who want to share their art, poetry, videos, pictures - etc. What gets you up and out of bed in the morning? This is not an opportunity to brag about behaviors that would be considered dangerous, aggressive illegal or anti-social, I put ketchup on my hot dogs and my steak even though most of society frowns upon that, Most people work out in the morning but I dont start my exercise routine until about 10:00 at night", Brief Group Module and Icebreaker Collection 1, Brief Group Module and Icebreaker Collection 2, Brief Group Module and Icebreaker Collection 3, Brief Group Module and Icebreaker Collection 4, Brief Group Module and Icebreaker Collection 5, https://randomwordgenerator.com/question.php. What would you consider to be your DREAM JOB, why? - Getting Started Up the Mountain) - Motivational reading, Going the Distance: Sustaining Motivation, Motivation, Determination, & Habit in Recovery - (Submitted by Cassie Jewell), "Must Haves" - Identifying and Discussing Basic Needs for Self-Improvement, Positive Motivation - Building motivation by focusing on the positive, Music and Recovery - (Submitted by Caitlin Kennedy LCSW, LCADC), Brainspace: Strategies for Coping with Negative Thoughts, Strengths and Weaknesses Examining strengths we have and weaknesses we need to work on in the change process, Procrastination (Read now don't wait until later), Relationships/Conflict Resolution/Social Skills (See also Anger), The Cycle of Over-functioning, Guilt, and Resentment, Guilt and Relationships - Coping with the challenges of guilt in relationships, Healthy Life- Healthy Relationships - Examining qualities for relationship building, VIDEO LINK - Healthy Life- Healthy Relationships - Corresponding video to above worksheet, The Ideal Partner - Looking at what you want out of relationships, Readjusting Your Relationship Radar - Adjusting the way you choose relationships, Rules of "Fighting Fairly" - Some basic rules for conflict resolution in relationships, READ - Six Qualities of Healthy Couples that Stay Together, Social Relationships - Setting Priorities, The Power of Caring, Connection and Resilience, R-E-S-P-E-C-T(Find Out What it Means to Me), Safety, Suicide Prevention, Risk Management. Accept-Cope-Adapt - An approach for dealing with life struggles, Overreaction: Putting Things in Perspective with Gratitude, Overcoming Ignorance and Indifference for Positive Growth, An Interview with my Past and Future Self, Major Life Aspects of the Disease of Addiction, READ - Unfollowing the Nonsense - A brief discussion on how media can influence perception, Why am I Here? Accountability Self-Examination Worksheet, This is Your Brain on Drugs(Fried Egg not Included). future challenges with a more positive viewpoint? To get started, it helps to create a habit plan. takingtheescalator.com Addiction and Substance Use Resources, Non 12 Step Motivational Harm Reduction Tools for Substance Use & Mental Health, (Same tools, but organized according to the Taking the Escalator Method). It can be beneficial to take time to reflect on things in life that are going well. mason.script.plugins.twitterTweetPlugin.tweet. Unity - the state of being united or joined as a whole. Insecurity - Everyone has them, is the group ready to share them? About this group This group is for people who believe in Integrated Treatment (Treating mental health and substance use together, at the same time) - This is a place to share treatment tools, resources, interesting topics, and exchange support and feedback for people who work with clients with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Lifeboat Activity Passengers on a sinking ship must decide who will be able to take their chances on a life boat somewhere in the Caribbean Sea. This is a reprint of the brief therapy modules and icebreakers released in that forum for the six-month period from July 2021 through September 2021 - 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? 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. This is a brief group assessment and discussion on current family functioning. The techniques explained in his method, Taking the Escalator: An Alternative to the 12 Steps, help individuals who are resistant to traditional approaches gain the tools needed for learning to increase insight and motivation for positive change. For this icebreaker, everyone in the group is invited to share things they've learned to love. A time when I wish I would have listened was. Are you drawing conclusions where evidence is lacking? 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. The Struggle is Real - New Relapse Prevention group therapy activity from Taking the Escalator - https://takingtheescalator.blogspot.com//the-struggle-is-r The Struggle is Real - This activity is focused on identifying and the strategizing ways to overcome the things that are giving you the m. 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. Brief introduction for use of Taking the Escalator group activity "Drop the Rocks" available on Taking the Escalator website or through this direct link: htt. This is a brief discussion on getting motivated to face each day. The facilitator then reviews each "impression," and group members have the opportunity to share their answers. How can you specifically apply this in your own life in a positive way? Submitted by Caitlin Kennedy LCSW, LCADC: Self Esteem and Affirmation Development -, Submitted by Laura Hennessey, LCSW, LCADC, Reason or Excuse: Product of Your Environment, 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. Motivation, Determination, & Habit in Recovery, External Motivation Background Information, Decreasing the Negative & Increasing the Positive, Goal Setting Collective: Looking Forward to the Year Ahead, Hopeful Thoughts and Plans for the Year Ahead, The Pendulum - Examining Common Family Issues, Anger Management: Digging Deeper and Using Basic AM Skills, Three P's for Coping with Anxiety in the Moment, Setbacks and Engagement- A Guide for Counselors, Straight D's -A Simple Harm Reduction and MAT Illustration, Adolescent Substance Use Group (Multiple Choice), Brief Group Module and Icebreaker Collection 1, Brief Group Module and Icebreaker Collection 2, Making the Most out of Substance Use Treatment, Telehealth Specific Group Cohesion Building Activities, Life Story Video - LB HEARS Episode 1 - Nikki Tierney - (Click to view), Understanding and Coping with Guilt and Shame, mason.script.plugins.twitterTweetPlugin.tweet. This would be something that you may have never imagined you would do, but you have now done (Positive answers only). What warning label would be appropriate for you when you first wake up in the morning? 3. What are your THOUGHTS about what happened? to work in small groups. - Getting Started Up the Mountain), Motivation, Determination, & Habit in Recovery, Distinguishing Information-Seeking and Reassurance Seeking, Additional RESILIENCE collection from around the web, The Mission Consumer Workbook (Relapse Prevention), Freedom from Sex Addiction: A Self-Help Workbook, Matrix Model for People with Stimulant Use Disorders, Matrix Model Relapse Prevention Group Handouts, Stress Less: Relaxation Enhancement Group Veteran Manual, Worksheets and Handouts on Trauma and ACES, VALUES - WHAT'S IMPORTANT