Download - Mindfulness with Anger in Group Therapy
Mindfulness
with Anger in
RecoveryClaudia Chandler
Group Formation
Adults aged 18-55
Primary Diagnosis Substance Abuse
Currently in an In-Patient (IP) Drug and
Alcohol Rehabilitation Program
10 weekly sessions
Group is 90 minutes
Group members are self referred
Group Formation
Group includes:
1 Therapist
1 Counselor
8 Clients, same gender as counselors
Similar stage of change -
(Contemplation/Action)
Assessment
Pre-Screening Interview
Step 1: Identify needs, expectations and
commitment
Step 2: Challenge myths and
misconceptions the group members may
have
Step 3: Convey information (confidentiality,
stages, procedure and informed consent,
roles and balance)
Formal Measures
The Group Therapy Questionnaire
Variables that may effect group
participation
The Group Selection Questionnaire
Problems related to deficits
NEO – Five Factor Inventory
Personality Inventory
Exclusions Hostile, angry or highly aggressive, paranoid, in an
active drug and/or alcohol addiction, antisocial, sociopathic or prone to somatoform disorder
Stress response of psychological decomposition where the ability to function normally is gradually lost and replaced by psychotic behavior
Persons prone to suicidal or homicidal behavior
Persons unable to show interpersonal engagement, interpersonal learning and gaining insight due to biopsychosocial reasons
Goals Client will attend Anger Management Groups
consistently, and client will learn 2 Anger Management Skills and implement them.
Client will reduce and control anger and stress (significantly lowering their risk for serious health problems, including heart disease and high blood pressure, among others) by teaching the individual how to accurately examine their triggers and their perceptions of situations, and learn healthy, constructive ways in which to express their anger and frustrations.
Interventions
Psychoeducation
Handouts
Ratings Scales
Homework
Bibliotherapy
Group Structure Timeline
1. Brief mood check-in/update
2. Bridge from the previous session
3. Review of the homework
4. Discussion of the agenda items
5. Open discussion
6. New homework assignment
7. Summary and feedback discussion
Sessions 1-3 Session 1: Provides an introduction to the
program facilitator and to the training program. It also serves to establish goals for the participant.
Session 2: Provides an introduction to the processes related to the emotion, anger
Session 3: Focuses on introducing the Body Scan technique, which is the first of the mindfulness-based exercises to be introduced in this program
Sessions 4-5
Session 4: Covers a review of the
obstacles experienced by participants
during the body scan technique and
suggestions for overcoming obstacle
Session 5: Includes an introduction to the
3-Minute Breathing Space technique and
an introduction to the Anger-Provoking
Events Calendar activity.
Sessions 6-8
Session 6: Includes an activity that
introduces the 3-minute breathing space
as a coping mechanism
Session 7: introduction to the
Acceptance, Allowing, and Being
exercise.
Session 8: Problem-solving exercise
Sessions 9-10
Session 9: Review, reinforcement, and the
connection between the models
Session 10: Provides feedback to the
facilitators. The participant is encouraged
to discuss what was learned group and
what obstacles are left to overcome
Ethical Concerns
During the initial phase of information
gathering, the ethical problem should be
identified and defined
Group leader hypothesizes possible
consequences of several outcomes and
evaluates
*Multiple roles may arise in this particular
group as the therapist and clients may have
contact with each other outside the group
References Burlingame, G. M., Fuhriman, A., & Johnson, J. E. (2002).
Cohesion in group psychotherapy. In J. C. Norcross (Ed.) , Psychotherapy relationships that work: Therapist contributions and responsiveness to patients (pp. 71-87). New York, NY, US: Oxford University Press.
Couch, R. (1995). Four steps for conducting a pregroupscreening interview. Journal For Specialists In Group Work, 20(1), 18-25. doi:10.1080/01933929508411321
Kelly, J.R. (2007). Mindfulness-based and cognitive-behavior therapy for anger-management : An integrated approach. PCOM Psychology Dissertations. Paper 68.
Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (5th ed.). New York, NY, US: Basic Books.