Bucket Lists

Explain the idea of a bucket list to patients.  Assist patients in creating their own bucket list of things they want to do in their lives.  Have them share their lists at the end.

Talk about the importance of setting goals and discuss how we can work to achieve these goals.

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Self Esteem Statements

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Each group member needs to put her name on a piece of paper.  Then the group passes the paper around in a circle.  Under each name, the other group members write something positive about that person regarding his/her progress in treatment.  Then, once the paper gets back to its original owner, that person should read what the other group members said aloud.

This helps encourage self esteem in the group, build unity, and allow group members to take responsibility for recovery.

Thanks Jill Sederberg for the activity!

Spa Day

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submitted here by Celeste K. T. Brooks of Washington Center for Aging Services on November 21, 2000

Size: Varies

Equipment: Tables(round is best), Aroma therapy products (bath gels, lotions,all should be allergy-free) , Manicure items, Hair products, finger bowls, sprays, Large container of hot water, small containers of ice water, Video tapes,TV:VCR set up, Stereo system,CD's, Audio tapes, LOTS OF STAFF: manicurists, cosmetologists, hairstylists, massage therapist, reflexologist or a lot of volunteers who can serve in these functions.

Objective:

To relax the residents
To increase socialization
To increase level of self esteem
To provide a variety of sensory stimulation
To increase levels of participation
To increase residents' quality of life
To have fun

Description: Have the room filled with relaxing sights, music and scents before the residents arrive. Have at least four stations with different activities (manicures, facials, hair styles, hand massages, etc.). Invite your residents in. Make sure that you have presented each resident with each station (or with as many as they will tolerate). Introduce the residents sitting at the same table to each other. (You should hear some of the conversations that come up, it's like sitting in the beauty parlor) Provide the services! This activity usually takes 2-3 hours. Make sure that you keep the music playing and the scents flowing. Our male residents enjoy it as much as the females. We purchase products especially for the men and they like to sit and watch their girl friends get dolled up!. We implement this event in a large group setting maybe three times a year. We have smaller versions of SPA DAY on the units in the solariums or as individual sessions in the resident's rooms. One of our residents always comes to this event in her wheelchair (she is blind and very hard of hearing). However, after she has received "the works" she struts not walks to her unit guided by her ANA. Many of our volunteers are staff members from other departments, who give maybe 20 minutes of their time to help. However, make sure that all of your stations are manned by people who can remain there throughout the entire activity.

Letter to My Future Self

This is an alternate to the "Letter to My Younger Self" activity.

Materials:

White or Lined Paper

Pens/Markers

Construction paper

Description:

Help patients make a small book using the white or lined paper.  Use the construction paper to make a cover.  Entitle the book "Letter to My Future Self."

Talk with patients about the challenges and difficulties they are currently facing.  Ask them to think about what lessons they can learn from these experiences.  Help them identify how they will be stronger and better people because of these challenge.

Instruct patients to write down these thoughts and any other things they would want their future selves to know or remember.  This may relate to life lessons, relationships, etc.  Be as specific as possible.

Afterwards, process with the patients.  What kinds of things did they include in their book?  Why?  How can they apply these lessons in their lives now, not waiting until the future? 

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"My Life" Art Project

I saw this image on Pinterest and knew there had to be a way to incorporate it into an RT group.  Here's what I came up with.

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Materials:
Art supplies of every kind - paint, watercolors, colored pencils, markers, collage stuff, crayons, construction paper, etc.
Large white paper for each participant

Description:
Ask patients to think about their lives.  What defines them?  How would they describe their lives?  What parts do they share with others and what parts to they keep hidden?

Instruct patients that they are to use the various art supplies to create a visual representation of their lives.  Give them lots of time and independence to do this.

Process the final results with patients.  Are they happy with the project they created?  Why or why not?  Does their artwork accurately portray their lives?  Are they happy with their lives?

Letter to My Younger Self

Here's a product I saw on Pinterest and thought it would be an awesome rec therapy activity!

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Materials:

White or Lined Paper

Pens/Markers

Construction paper

Description:

Help patients make a small book using the white or lined paper.  Use the construction paper to make a cover.  Entitle the book "Letter to My Younger Self."

Instruct patients to write down any advice they would give their younger self.  This may relate to life lessons, relationships, etc.  Be as specific as possible.

Afterwards, process with the patients.  What kinds of things did they include in their book?  Why?  How can they apply these lessons in their lives?  How did they learn these lessons?  What would happen if they hadn't learned these lessons yet, would their lives be different?

The Relapse Process

Here's today's handout.  Hope you enjoy it!!

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The Butterfly Circus

The Butterfly Circus

“The greater the struggle, the more glorious the triumph.”

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Watch the short film “The Butterfly Circus” with patients (23 minutes).  Afterwards discuss the film with the patients and talk about overcoming obstacles to find joy in life.

Depending on the theme of the day, this video can be used for either Finding Joy in Life or Knowing Myself.  Adapt the questions to meet the theme and the needs of the group.

Some questions to consider:

·         What character do identify with the most?  Why?

·         What does will believe about himself at the beginning of the film?  At the end?

·         Have you experienced something that changed how you view yourself, for better or for worse?  What was it?  Explain…

·         What challenges have you had to overcome in your life?

·         What does the ringmaster of the Butterfly Circus represent to you?

·         Have you ever known anyone like the ringmaster?  Who?  How has that affected your life?

·         How can we change what is negative in our lives? 

·         How can we find joy in life, even amid depression and other difficulties?

·         How can you help others change their lives for the better?

Change

I loved this when I saw it on Pinterest!  I feel like almost everyone can relate to it, whether it be the patient or the therapist.  What is holding you back??

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Final Goodbyes

Here's yet another idea I found on Pinterest.  I saw the image and was super excited to share it with you all.  I image it being a perfect discharge or graduation activity, something that can symbolize the progress the patient has made throughout treatment.

Materials:

Construction paper

Magazines

Colored pencils, markers, crayons

Other art supplies

Description:

Have the patient make a piece of artwork to symbolize her growth and the lessons she's learned in treatment.  Encourage her to make it meaningful and significant, personal to her journey through treatment.  This can be done ahead of time if desired.  During the group, have the person share her piece of artwork with the others. Lead a group about the benefits of treatment and the importance of recognizing the progress each patient makes.

Opposite Hand Activity

Have patients do an activity withe their opposite (non-dominant) hand.  For example, they could write a paragraph about themselves, draw a picture of their family, color a picture, etc.

After everyone has finished, process this activity with the patients.  What made it so difficult?  Explain that research says that this is an ideal way to force your brain to adapt and build new neural pathways.

Talk about how if we want to change, we must do things differently.  Ask patients to identify specific things they need to do in their lives after discharge.  How will they do this?  Help patients establish goals and plans to be successful after discharge.

Do the activity again (or even several more times), with the non-dominant hand.  Talk about how with time, even things that are very difficult at first become easier.  Ask patients to share examples of this from their own lives.

Hidden Messages

I saw this on Pinterest and thought it would be a perfect project for Valentine's Day!  It is similar to an art therapy project I like to do with my geriatric patients. The original idea was posted here.

Materials:
Scissors
White paper
White crayons
Watercolors

Description:
Cut out various heart shapes using the white paper and scissors.  Then, write a special message to a loved on the heart.  Give the valentine, along with the watercolors to the person.  When they paint over the heart, the message written in white crayon appears.

Adaptations:
This would also be a cool project to do in a rehab setting.  Have each client write down inspiring messages, notes of encouragement, or personal affirmations, each on a piece of white paper.  Then, when they are feeling down or discouraged, they can pull out one of the sheets of paper, color over it with watercolor and remember the message as a "pick me up."

You could also use this idea for a "graduation" from a program.  When a person successfully completes your program, have all the other clients write down positive notes and congrats.  Give the stack of white papers and a set of watercolors as a departing gift.