Taking the Escalator Articles

“Culture is the thread that weaves our past, present, and choices together and understanding it is about connection, empathy, and honoring the stories we carry.” Culture is often thought of as something we see on the outside—our race, ethnicity, language, or country of origin. But the reality is far richer. Our culture is the invisible thread woven through every aspect of who we are. It shapes how we think, make decisions, connect with others, and navigate the world. When we

A Group Therapy Worksheet on Neuroplasticity, Craving Triggers, and Rewiring the Brain for Recovery Addiction doesn’t just affect behavior—it changes the brain. Over time, substance use reshapes how the brain processes stress, reward, decision-making, and even everyday emotions. That’s why recovery is so much more than “just stopping”—it’s about helping the brain heal and rebuild its natural balance. The good news? The brain can change... Thanks to neuroplasticity, the brain

Ever wondered what your life looks like through the eyes of someone—or something —completely unfamiliar with human behavior? That’s exactly what the Alien Interview worksheet lets you do. This exercise is both amusing and surprisingly powerful. You’ll imagine being interviewed by curious aliens who know nothing about humans. They aren’t judging; they simply want to understand how people think, feel, and act. And because they have no context for human norms, your answers must

Beyond the "Quick Fix" for Anxiety, Panic, and OCD We’ve all been there—heart racing, chest tight, mind spiraling. Anxiety feels like something we need to escape immediately . And for many of us, especially those in recovery or dealing with co-occurring mental health challenges, discomfort isn’t just unpleasant—it feels threatening. So what do we do? We scroll. We distract. We reach for substances, food, or constant reassurance. And sure, it works—for a minute. But over time,

We’ve all been there —an autocorrect fail, an unexpected noise in a silent room, or that moment when you wave enthusiastically at a stranger who wasn’t waving at you. These awkward moments are part of being human. But in recovery, they can feel amplified. A simple slip-up might trigger self-doubt, shame, or even a setback in progress. That’s why we’re excited to introduce two new resources designed to help us not only laugh at those moments—but grow from them. New Taking the

"Self-awareness is the first step toward self-improvement."     Life can be unpredictable. Sometimes bad things happen because of injustice, the actions of others, problems in the world, or simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. These are external factors that may be in a large part beyond our control.   Other times, negative outcomes are influenced, even in a small way, by our own choices, our actions or even our attitude. This could be the direct result of a dec

“You are not required to set yourself on fire to keep others warm.”  – Anonymous Validation  is the act of recognizing and acknowledging someone’s feelings, thoughts, or behaviors as understandable, and meaningful. It does not need to involve always agreeing with a person’s perspective but rather, validation is focused on showing empathy, compassion, and understanding toward another’s emotional or cognitive experience. By validating someone , we communicate that their feelin

Introduction:  Everyone faces obstacles, but when we’re trying to recover and change, those obstacles can feel staggering and sometimes even impossible. At times it’s fear. Other times, it’s a lack of support, low motivation, not enough confidence, or simply feeling overwhelmed. The truth is: obstacles rarely disappear on their own. We often have to climb over them, work around them, or find the strength to break through. Overcoming obstacles requires  action . In this worksh

Now Hiring: My Future Self (A Recovery-Focused Group Therapy Activity) Help your clients apply to "get hired" for the life they truly want At Taking the Escalator , we’re always looking for creative, engaging ways to help clients reflect, connect, and grow. Our newest group activity puts a playful twist on a serious topic—building a better life through positive change and self-awareness, based on the Taking the Escalator methodology for building insight and motivation. Imagin

This is self-awareness and group cohesion-building activity designed to encourage self-expression, connection, and personal sharing. It helps group members get to know one another while opening the door to meaningful reflection and healing through shared experiences. “Your life is your museum. Every moment you’ve survived is a piece of art in your unique and powerful story - one you continue to boldly write with courage, strength, and purpose, day by day” Opening up about you

When Coping Goes Off Course Sometimes it starts off harmless. A few drinks after work to unwind. A hit, a pill, or a line here and there to "take the edge off." A little something to push away the anxiety, the sadness, the thoughts we can’t shake even if just for a little while. It can just feel like escape from the grind and a relief from the stress and boredom of it all. It’s fun, and at first, it feels like it works , perhaps even looking like the answer we were always loo

Our Most Popular Video Just Got Even Better Dr. Erin Zerbo’s powerful interview on addiction, recovery, and compassion has earned its place as the most-watched video we've ever released—and for good reason. Dr. Zerbo brings extraordinary insight, clarity, and heart to a complex topic, and her perspective continues to resonate with professionals and clients alike. Now, we're making this resource even more impactful with a brand-new, thoughtfully designed worksheet to guide dis

Seasons bring change: some welcome, some challenging. This worksheet helps explore how specific seasons may affect mental health, substance use, or overall well-being. Whether it's Winter's isolation, Summer's unstructured time, or the pressure and family drama that can be associated with the Holiday Season, every season has unique triggers, opportunities, stressors, and struggles. This exercise is designed to help identify seasonal patterns and prepare with proactive coping

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Understanding family dynamics is essential for effective clinical work, especially when addressing underlying patterns that contribute to mental health and substance use challenges. Two new worksheets are now available to help therapists and counselors explore these important themes with clients in an accessible, engaging way. These resources are ideal for group therapy, individual sessions, or supervision discussions. Each encourages meaningful insights into how clients rela