Group Therapy Steps

Beginning (Week 1)

1. Start with rules in the environment. No judgment, willingness to express feelings, and confidentiality. 

2. Ask everyone to introduce themselves. Find common ground with each other in experiences with workouts, such as walking, yoga, pilates, and any variations.

3.  Explain the connections between endorphins and exercise. Bring up the idea of replacement therapy through light exercise and bonding experiences each week.

4.  Go for a walk each day, alternating between a brisk walk and a slower, more methodical step in line motion. While taking slow steps, inquire about each attending person on how they feel about their dependency on alcohol.

5.  End on a happy note, asking everyone their favorite part of the week. Allow for explanation of the following week.

Continuing (Week 2)

1. Begin with an acknowledgement of remembrance from last week.  How has everyone felt since exercising a bit more?

2. Ask people to share some deeper, more thoughtful issues that have stemmed from their dependencies. Remind everyone this is a safe space.

3. This week's workouts will consist of light yoga.  

4. Introduce the basic stretching in yoga, the Downward dog, Child pose, and mountain pose. Allow for breaks, and during these breaks, ask questions that stir happiness and endorphins. 

5. End the week in reflection. Where do they feel they are progressing through group therapy and is there any changes they may need.

Beginning of the End (Week 3)

1. Express the understanding of shame and guilt through dependency.  See how people feel mentally about their awareness of surroundings and if their actions in exercising have improved anything.

2. Week three will consist of pilates and expressions during break. 

3. Help guide the group through simple pilate movements. Movements such as the hundred, the rollup, and one leg circles.

4. During breaks, have people break into two and try to connect with different people each time. Have them reflect on their time there and question what they have in common. 

5. End with a group activity in which everyone can share a genuine enjoyment from the week. Once everyone goes remind them that they only have one more week left. 

Final (Week 4)

1. Week four will consist of reviewing the previous three weeks. What areas do people feel good about? Where did many struggle, mentally or physically?

2. Explain that this week's workout will be tai chi and meditation.

3. Through light Tai Chi, explain slow, fluid movements in which the group may find a deep calmness. Ask each person to look deeply inside themselves and procure a self admiration in the months-long course.

4. Allow for questions about following paths through sobriety and group therapy.

5. Wrap up through a final activity of meditation guidance. Traveling through the body and finding a peace of mind. Remind everyone they can continue this as they would like in their day to day life.