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.