Taking the Escalator Articles

During this time of year, many individuals focus on giving. This act is beneficial and uplifting for all involved. It encourages generosity and contributes to group unity which is the theme of this unique group exercise. “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” - Winston Churchill

Imagine yourself at the bottom of a deep, dark trench. The air feels heavy, and the walls around you rise steep and jagged, as if designed to keep you trapped. Above, the sunlight glows with warmth and promise—a life of peace, freedom, and fulfillment. But from where you stand, the climb looks daunting. The walls are slippery, and every attempt upward feels like it could lead to a fall. And yet, others have made it out. You’ve seen them start from where you are, finding footh

We can never have too much gratitude, so here is additional therapeutic material on this crucial subject. Enjoy...and thank you for your support!

Discuss each of the following researched points about gratitude. Focus on being self-searching with open and honest reflection and encouraging group discussion. "Gratitude turns what we have into enough." - Aesop

This exercise provides an alternative focus, encouraging the group to concentrate on what we can control in our own lives, even amid the emotional events unfolding in the world. "We can not direct the wind but we can adjust the sails."

Directions  – This activity can be used as an icebreaker or at any time with the purpose of getting group members to open up, talk, and share. The counselor/group leader should select phrases from the list and open it up to members in the group to share in one or two ways (listed below), related to the phrase selection.   What is a situation in your past or recent life where you found yourself thinking or saying this phrase? (Or) What would be a situation that could come up (

A plateau in progress brings a choice - stay in your comfort zone or push forward for a breakthrough. Growth happens when you embrace new challenges. In the context of recovery, a plateau refers to a period during which our progress toward healing, whether from substance use, mental health issues, or both, slows down, stalls, or just feels like it is standing still. While we may not be regressing, we can feel stuck at a certain stage and find it difficult to make further impr

Ken from CPC and Brian from NJ Reentry Corporation may both work in New Jersey, but the lessons shared in this video resonate far beyond. Brian’s incredible story of resilience—facing life-altering challenges and his passion for helping people reintegrate after incarceration—offers valuable insights for anyone striving to overcome obstacles in their own lives. His dedication to breaking the cycles of stigma and providing hope through empathy and nonjudgmental support will ins

This exercise is designed to spark meaningful conversations about the influence of family, friends, and social supports on personal growth and positive change. Participants will reflect on these important relationships while answering questions from the perspective of others in their lives. - FULL ACTIVITY DOWNLOAD BELOW:

Note for Counselor/Group Leader – A general rule when running group is “know your audience.” With that in mind, before using this exercise, make sure that your group is in a place where they are ready to discuss recovery related issues and setback/relapse prevention strategies. Also, there are four lengthy stories provided here with multiple points for discussion questions. With that in mind, it may not make sense to try to review all four stories but rather pick and choose w

This worksheet is designed to facilitate discussions about the origins and evolution of each individual's recovery journey. It can be used for a brief overview of group members' past experiences or explored in greater depth over multiple sessions. Depending on the level of detail desired, you may use more than one worksheet to cover different aspects of participants' histories.

With this comprehensive group worksheet there is enough therapy material for multiple group sessions .

Therapeutic game format for getting group talking about strengths and qualities that are needed for successful change and recovery.

Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences was proposed by Howard Gardner in his 1983 book "Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences." Gardner, a developmental psychologist, suggested that traditional IQ tests and the concept of a single general intelligence (g-factor) were too narrow and did not capture the full range of human cognitive abilities. Instead, he proposed that there are multiple distinct types of intelligences, each representing different ways of pro

In today's digital age, our cell phones have become indispensable tools that connect us to information, resources, and each other like never before. From instant communication to accessing a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips, the benefits are clear. However, this technological marvel also comes with its challenges. How often have we felt distracted, overwhelmed, or even isolated by our constant connectivity? Today, we're exploring the double-edged sword of cell phone usag