Taking the Escalator Articles

Today, we embark on a journey of discovery and celebration of our individual strengths and unique contributions. Each of you brings something valuable and distinctive to this group, whether it's your empathy, creativity, resilience, or any other positive quality. Together, we will explore how these qualities create a supportive and empowering environment for everyone

Perhaps the title of this exercise sounds somewhat familiar. It is a modern-day “social media-based” adaptation of the age-old wise adage “The grass is greener on the other side of the fence” This concept often resonates deeply with many of us. It's a phrase that speaks to our innate tendency to compare ourselves to others and yearn for what we perceive as better or more desirable. Nowadays instead of looking at greener grass, people often view others lives either in person o

This is a simple exercise. One person goes at a time. Pick a topic and state a brief personal reflection on the topic of your choice from the list on page 2. Keep it brief (under 30 seconds). When the reflection is done being stated, group members are open to responding based on the response list provided below. Each person should try to use as many of the responses on the list as possible by the group’s end.

Making positive changes when it comes to coping with mental health and substance use issues can be quite challenging. However, focusing on the specific aspects that we personally love about recovery-based tasks and challenges can be a powerful motivator for success. Even if we dislike certain aspects of the work involved, finding even a “slice of love” can be all that we need to push through challenges and be successful with our goals. By finding a "slice" of love or meaning

This is a group icebreaker and cohesion building activity focused on increasing communication in the group while practicing introspection, honesty, self-awareness, and insight. If your life story was a viewable series available for streaming on the internet, how would you answer the following questions?

Check out this new empowering group activity designed to explore coping skills for anxiety across four distinct realms: Mental, Physical, Emotional, and Existential. Through interactive exercises and uplifting discussions, discover practical strategies to manage anxiety and cultivate resilience in every aspect of life. 💪

This video featuring a conversation between Nikki and Ken, who discuss their unique and transformative journey through addiction recovery...

Introduction – This can be used as a “change of pace” activity to use with group to open up discussion in a unique way for cohesion as well as insight building. Below is a list of made-up sayings. No one actually ever said these things, but as a group review and discuss some of the interpreted meanings behind these sayings. Then, at the end, there is discussion material on the importance of deep thinking, introspection, and insight-building as a vital part of the positive cha

This new Taking the Escalator Group Therapy Activity includes: The Expectations Vs Reality Game Icebreaker The Kirby Scale for Expectations-Reality Coping Skills for managing expectations with a focus on Acceptance

This is a large list of group discussion starters that can be used in any order. There are more choices than you may need so select topics based on the needs and interests of the group. There are four progressive discussion points for each topic based on the KEY below: KEY : Topics in Bold INTRODUCTION – Getting discussion started. EXPLORATION – Exploring further. IN-DEPTH – Looking even deeper. COPING – Positive focus on coping skills for positive change and recovery Set

This exercise explores the concept of repetitive patterns and cycles in our lives, particularly in the context of substance use and mental health but also in other life areas as well wherever this may apply. There's a quote unofficially attributed to Albert Einstein often referred to as ‘the definition of insanity” which you likely have heard before. That saying is: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. We recognize that mental

This is a longer exercise with a lot of information on Cognitive Distortions including the Cognitive Distortion Scale , a list of Traditional Cognitive Distortions  as well as  Socratic Questioning

When it comes to mental health and substance use issues, there may be discussion of the idea of “disorders” which are defined as “ abnormal conditions .” For this exercise, however, we will discuss the exact opposite of disorders which we will call “ orders .”  If disorders are “not normal” then orders are things that are going well or better than normal . (Compare: the opposite of dislike is like- the opposite of disorder is order)   Directions:   On the following page, revi

Intro  – Right now almost everyone would like for the world to be a better place. Most likely everyone here has thought about changes you would like to see in this world. To open this group discussion, as a group describe some qualities and values that you would like to see more of in the world.  Write them on the board as a brainstorming group exercise. To help get started here are a few ideas: The world needs more…

Intro:  They say “never say never” because there are no guarantees that we can always avoid certain outcomes in life just because we want to. Still, it cannot hurt to try to identify negative things that we want to try our best to avoid so that we can strive to do our best to keep from going down the wrong path. While some “resolutions” activities are about changes we want to make, this activity is about making commitments to not do things . As a group, complete the following