Recovery-oriented groups:
Meaning of Life Group (for substance use clients) (based on Meaning of Life Group:Group Application of Logotherapy for Substance Use Treatment. Somov, P.G. (2007). Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 32 (4), 316 - 345.)
This is an 8 sessions long group that is structured around the Logotherapy curriculum for substance use clients developed by P. Somov.
The rationale for examining the existential backdrop of substance use is as follows: a) the search for meaning aids in search for motivation for recovery, b) recovery, while a treatment goal, is not a life goal per se; recovery is a means to end, not an end in and of itself, and c) substance use is normalized and humanized as an understandable but problematic search for meaning, for some, and, for others, as an understandable, albeit problematic, form of coping with meaninglessness. The facilitator models a contemplative, non-judgmental atmosphere and reinforces the idea that philosophizing or thinking about meaning of life is not a luxury but a necessity.
The following are the specific eight discussion themes that structure the curriculum of the Meaning of Life group, as they pertain to the issues of substance use.
Theme 1: Meaning of Meaninglessness
Theme 2: Meaning of Adversity
Theme 3: Meaning of Self
Theme 4: Meaning of Presence
Theme 5: Meaning of Death
Theme 6: Meaning of Freedom
Theme 7: Meaning of Substance Use
Theme 8: Meaning of Transition
Lapse/Re-lapse Prevention Group (for substance use clients)
This is an abstinence-maintenance12session long structured group that offers the following agenda:
- learning to distinquish between Slips, Lapses, and Re-Lapses
- craving control training
- Slip Prevention training
- Lapse Prevention training
- Relapse Prevention training
- Relapse Termination planning
- assistance with devising a customized Use Prevention Plan
- behavioral dress-rehearsal/psychodrama/role-play of use prevention skills (as described in P.Somov (2008) article on the use of psychodrama for substance use
Stress Management groups:
Leaving Work at Work group
an 8-session co-ed process group designed to facilitate end-of-the-work-day de-compressing beforereturning home; the group offers each participant to review the stressors of the work-day, to receive support from fellow group members, to experience a degree of normalization, as well as possible feedback on coping; the group offers in-session guided relaxation training conducted by the facilitator; and an element of priming before going home after work that enables a healthy re-entry into one's personal life, while leaving work at work.
General Stress Management group
a structured 4-session group designed to enhance client’s stress management by helping clients develop cognitive, meta-cognitive, behavioral, and mindfulness-based psychological resources; aside from addressing personal stress management skills, the group also emphasizes attributional re-training to help clients enhance their interpersonal functioning in family, work, and personal relationships.
Interpersonal/Relational Health groups:
- Co-Ed Process Group
- Men's Process Group
- Women's Process Group
All of the Interpersonal Health groups are unstructured, but professionally facilitated process groups designed to increase one's insight into the interplay between intra-personal (internal) and inter-personal (external/relational) dynamics, to leverage better relational health and relational satisfaction.
Health Psych/Behavioral Medicine groups:
Chronic Pain & Headache Management Group
structured 6-session groups designed to help clients develop cognitive, behavioral and mindfulness-based psychological resources to deal with the condition in question, as well as to provide a supportive forum to facilitate normalization and adjustment to illness.
Skin Disorder/Psychocutenous Group
a structured 6-session group for sufferers of skin disorders that have been shown to be exacerbated by stress (psoriasis, etc.), to facilitate symptom management, stress management and adjustment to illness; clients with skin disorders with chronic itching and scratching (dermatitis, eczema, pruritis, etc.) are provided with behavioral and mindfulness-based skills to break the itch-scratch cycle.
Mindful-not-Mouthful Eating Re-Training Group & Workshops
based on P. Somov's book "Eating the Moment: 141 Mindful Practices to Overcome Overeating One Meal at a Time"
Cardiac Health Group
a structured 4-session group designed to facilitate cardiac health through stress management and establishment of a systematic psychological self-care routine; aside from facilitating psychological self-care through cognitive, behavioral and mindfulness-based approaches, the Cardiac Health Group also provides attributional re-training with the goal of facilitating less reactive, less stress-prone interpersonal/social functioning.
Insomnia Management Group
a structured 4-session group designed to address primary insomnia via a combination of stimulus control and sleep hygiene to stabilize sleep-wake cycle, and development of cognitive-behavioral and metacognitive/mindfulness resources to deal with sleep-impairing cognitions.
Smoking Cessation Group
based on "Smoke-Free Smoke Break" book by Pavel Somov & Marla Somova