An indispensable collection of ready-to-use, proven exercises Providing immediately useful group counseling suggestions and tips for addictions counselors, Group Exercises for Addiction Counseling offers powerful techniques that can be adapted to any clinical practice. Written in the author's gentle yet purposeful voice, this reader-friendly resource is filled with guidance for developing an addictions counseling group; handling Stage 2 confrontations of the leader; and building group member awareness. In addition, the author helps counselors enhance client awareness of addiction-related stressors and how to cope with those stressors. Group Exercises for Addiction Counseling contains valuable information on: Addiction recovery Family, relationships, and culture Feelings exploration Group community building Recovery skills Values Opening and closing each group session Fostering care, respect, and honesty in the group counseling setting, the techniques found in Group Exercises for Addiction Counseling allow counselors to help their clients break out of dysfunctional interaction patterns and live better lives.

An indispensable collection of ready-to-use, proven exercisesProviding immediately useful group counseling suggestions and tips for addictions counselors, Group Exercises for Addiction Counseling offers powerful techniques that can be adapted to any clinical practice.Written in the author's gentle yet purposeful voice, this reader-friendly resource is filled with guidance for developing an addictions counseling group; handling Stage 2 confrontations of the leader; and building group member awareness. In addition, the author helps counselors enhance client awareness of addiction-related stressors and how to cope with those stressors.Group Exercises for Addiction Counseling contains valuable information on:* Addiction recovery* Family, relationships, and culture* Feelings exploration* Group community building* Recovery skills* Values* Opening and closing each group sessionFostering care, respect, and honesty in the group counseling setting, the techniques found in Group Exercises for Addiction Counseling allow counselors to help their clients break out of dysfunctional interaction patterns and live better lives.

Preface ixAcknowledgments xiii1 Introduction 1Personal Reflections 1Main Section Points 2Overview 32 Philosophy and Practice of Group Work 11Personal Reflections 11Philosophy of Group Therapy 13Types of Groups 14Stages of Group Development 23Stage 1 23Stage 2 25Stage 3 27Stage 4 28Group Leader Techniques 28Specific Issues 32Therapist Self-Care 35Words to the Wise 38Developing an Addictions Counseling Group 38Handling Stage 2 Confrontations of the Leader 41Addressing Specific Addiction Issues 42Developing Group Member Awareness 43References 453 Group Exercises 47Icebreakers 49Addiction Recovery 58Family/Relationships/Culture 79Family 80Relationships 85Culture 87Feelings Exploration 88Group Community Building 96Self-Esteem 102Recovery Skills: Communication/ Mindfulness/Problem Solving 105Communication 105Mindfulness 106Problem Solving 107Values 109Openers 112Opening Statements 112General Opening Activities 112Specific Opening Activities 113Closers 115Closing Statements 115General Closing Activities 116Specific Closing Activities 1174 Resources 121Readings 121Workbooks/Exercises 122Icebreaker Exercises 126Websites 126