leading group

I'm a psych clinical instructor. One thing my students have done that the patients have enjoyed is something about "body language". The students demonstrate and the patients identify what the body language says, and then the patient's take turns. They can draw little strips of paper that say what emotion would need to be acted out. They can pass. Purpose? It helps the patients see that others can form impressions about them by seeing their "body language," but the patients can also be asked what they think the purpose is.

You could teach something about nutrition too. It's amazing how many psych patients don't eat nutritiously, and don't even know what is good for them to eat! Have you noticed that schizophrenic patients can lean toward heaviness?

One group I've seen that really stuck with me was each client had a piece of paper stuck on their back and everyone in the group had to go around and write something (nice, obv) on everyone else's back. So by the end of the group everyone had a somewhat anon piece of paper with nice messages on it.

In my psych rotation we (the students) did a group on deep breathing/ gentle stretching/ relaxation techniques; and one on sleep. I really enjoyed leading the groups and wish I was still in my psych rotation and not in critical care.

Another group idea that I liked that a staff member did was to write on the board Best Day, Something you don't know about me, a "someday" thing (something that is a goal for them to do one day) it was a positive and fairly relaxed group.

Talk about ways to deal with stress: pray, walk, excercise, mediate, talk, journal, counseling, read, etc. Let others tell their ideas.

I have had the pts. draw a picture of their illness as they interpret it, then they hold up the picture and explain it. I found it to be very powerful.

Teaching Non-Violent communications skills is VERY helpful to assist patients in gaining skills with expressing feelings, thoughts, and needs in a healthy manner without posing a risk of upsetting others!

All the best in your rotation!

If you have the luxury, check to see what the diagnosis mix is on the unit you will be leading group on. That way, you can tailor your choice to do the most good for the most people. For example, if you have several people with anxiety disorders, a group on alternate ways of coping with stress might be a good choice.