What happens in group therapy?

At Club Recovery our clients join a group therapy of choice including options such as Women’s Group, Men’s Group, Mixed Evening Group, Day Group, or Saturday Group depending on their schedule and preference.

The foundation of group therapy rests on the natural inclinations of human beings to congregate and share experiences, as well as to rely on one another. This makes the group setting a powerful therapeutic tool for treating substance abuse, one that is as helpful as individual therapy, and sometimes more successful. One reason for this efficacy is that groups intrinsically have many rewarding benefits—such as reducing isolation and enabling members to witness the recovery of others—and these qualities draw individuals into a culture of recovery.

Group members are able to alleviate and work-through common issues that often accompany substance use including shame, isolation, depression, and anxiety/stress. Typically in a group setting a client will experience “processing” among group members. Here clients can share their experience in a safe, confidential environment and receive supportive feedback from peers under the direction of a trained and licensed counselor.

How the group works together

New group members are welcomed into group with a short introduction and what “brings them into treatment”, followed by a warm welcome from peers. Club Recovery works hard to achieve a positive open and rewarding group dynamic. Clients who have graduated our programs often report that the comfortable group interaction was one of the most positive aspects of their treatment here.

A typical group session would include an initial daily reading or “grounding” exercise which enables clients to get comfortable. Then based on that week’s curriculum a counselor would lead group through a lecture, and/or handout exercises that reflect the material covered. Also, integrated into each group are individual client treatment assignments (Phase 1-3) as clients are prepared to present to the group. The treatment assignments are received with warm, supportive feedback from the group. Sometimes, the group’s written exercises/handouts can be done collaboratively or in smaller groups as well, promoting interaction and connections within the group. As the group session nears its end a “check-out” can be facilitated where clients will share their plans for the next week as it relates to their recovery.

Treatment agenda:

Club Recovery’s Core Curriculum for Intensive Outpatient Treatment includes an 18 week rotation of subjects including: The Nature of Addiction, Medical Aspects of Addiction, Mental Health Aspects of Addiction, Stages of Change, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Techniques, Relapse Prevention, Spirituality, Family Systems, Living Clean and Sober, and Aftercare. Also, embedded within these weekly subjects we cover topics such as: Resilience, Trauma Informed Services, Relationships, Vulnerability, Shame, Anxiety, Depression, and Mindfulness.

Club Recovery uses an integration of five models of group therapy:

CBT Therapy
Psychoeducation
Skills Development
Support Group
Interpersonal Process Group

How Does Group Therapy Help Clients?

Groups provide positive peer support and pressure to abstain from substances of abuse
Groups reduce the sense of isolation that most people who have substance abuse disorders experience
Groups enable people who abuse substances to witness the recovery of others
Groups can provide useful information to clients who are new to recovery.
Groups provide feedback concerning the values and abilities of other group members
Groups offer family‐like experiences
Groups offer members the opportunity to learn or relearn the social skills they need to cope with everyday life instead of resorting to substance abuse
Groups can effectively confront individual members about substance abuse and other harmful behaviors
Groups instill hope, a sense that “If he can make it, so can I.”

Groups often support and provide encouragement to one another outside the group setting