Conducting a group in psych clinical

[LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN]

Has anyone who has done their psych clinicals had to do a group? We have to do a group as part of our psych clinicals and I googled for ideas and checked youtube but can't find much pertaining to what we as nursing students can do. Art therapy is discouraged by the instructor. Any ideas? I'm not sure if we can bring in materials, for example a short reading paragraph followed by a discussion? What about poetry or literature? Does it have to be related to psych? Should it even bring up psychology since we are students and not therapists? eek.....

[Kuriin, BSN, RN]

We had to lead multiple groups in our psych rotation. I did yoga (meditation), nutrition, as well as ways of expressing oneself properly. Literature, group interaction, etc. are all excellent resources and tools for group sessions. Just remember that it's OK to say, "I don't know!".

[AZirish]

We had to lead groups also. We were allowed to do art therapy, so we had our group do art journaling and we brought the supplies. Some people did relaxation exercises, written journaling, aroma therapy, etc. our had to be relating to coping with stress. Good luck!

[catebsn25]

I had to do a group and did it on time management and organization. I made brochures and bought a few things at the dollar store so while they were learning they could decorate their calendars and folders, etc... It went over well and I got an A. Try to find something that is actually useful for them to learn and have some sort of activity they can also do. Another student had them make mirrors (not actual glass mirrors but a shiny paper you could see your reflection with) with positive messages on them. We wrote out positive things we thought about each other and gave them to post on the mirror.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

Look for group therapy games. Someone did positive pictionary where they drew on a large board positive coping mechanisms they wrote down and put in a hat and their team had to guess it. Our group was something like spin the bottle but I forget what it had to do. We didn't do our group because we thought the particular group wouldn't respond well so we did it with our nursing students. Someone did some kind of jeopardy that went over well but we weren't there for that day.

[LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the ideas!