psych groups

When I worked on a female forensic unit in the Philadelphia jail system, we worked toward producing a journal/magazine/newsletter which was entirely the work of the clients. The only main rule was that one could not use it as a vehicle for personal attacks; otherwise there would be no censorship. I was amazed at the eloquence of the inmates, and how effectively they could express the dreams and traumas of the past in drawings, poetry, and short essays, etc. Unfortunately, staffing cuts took me away from doing groups, and we never published the final edition. The inmates were very enthusiastic about the whole process. While it was not a usual format for a group, it did provide for therapeutic expression and interaction.

Here in MN we have started a new nursing groups from a new format called IM&R, Illness, Management & Recovery. Look it up online, it covers a lot of information for the patients.

My fave topics are.

1- How to talk to a healthcare provider. ( It is amazing but many psych patients do not understand that nurses and Dr's want to know symptoms that they are having and how the meds are making them feel and their reasons for refusing meds)

2- medication compliance- the biggest reason we see people frequently is that they start to feel "fine" and they " do not need their meds anymore" I encourage patients even if they feel fine, that there are reasons they need to maintain on their medication.

3- how to use relaxation and guided imagery for anxiety

4- how to use positive coping skills- and short term/ long term goal setting

5- followup care and importance of making their outpatient appointments

6- everything else in general like healthy eating and very simplified info on Disease processes such as Diabetes, Hypertension and Increased Cholesterol