Dear Abby

via

submitted here by Judy Key on February 4, 2008

Size of Group: At least four (can include facilitator) 

Equipment: paper, pencils. 

Objective: build trust, support, unity and within a group, 

Description: Give each group member a sheet of paper and a pencil. Each person must have the same color paper and pencil. Encourage group to think of a problem that they are working on and need help solving, and write it down on the paper. Instruct group not to write their names on their papers. Facilitator must number a separate piece of paper with 1- # of participants. Once each person is finish writing done their problem assign them a number and write their name next to that number. Choose random numbers, so no one knows which paper goes to whom. Redistribute the papers to random group members. Try to redistribute to people who are not sitting close to one another. Encourage group members to read the problem they were given and give a well thought about solution. Once every one has completed their solutions redistribute to the original person. Encourage group to discuss their thoughts and feelings on the activity.

Lend a Fish

Found this activity here.

via

submitted by Nancy Hahn of Sidney Square Care Center Pgh PA on Thursday, June 14, 2001

Size: Individual

Equipment: Small plastic or acrylic fishbowls, water, Beta or goldfish, fish food, film canisters, a spray of water greens if desired

Objective: A Relaxation technique,an anti-anxiety aide,a self-esteem enhancer

Description: Place a single fish in a bowl. Very inexpensive bowls often even with lids,are available in pet shops. These fish can be left in viewing distance of patients,or in the rooms of other residents for a few days or up to a week. They are fascinating to watch, and require little care. I have found them especially effective with vent patients who often are so intent on their next breath, that they have a high level of anxiety or just can't relax. We break a spray of greens into very small pieces and put a sprig in each bowl. It is best to use colorful or high definition fish. A few colorful pebbles are nice in the bottom, but not necessary. We use bottled water for our bowls, avoiding the additives needed for tap water. These have become very popular at our facility, we even have family member request them, and residents have certain favorites. If anyone has questions I can be reached at bunnyhopping@yahoo.com\\

ABC books

Here's another Sunday Service activity that we do at our facility!

Materials:
Crayons
Construction Paper
ABC Book Templates (We found ours on Google, see examples below)
Glue Sticks
Hole Punch
Binder Ring

Description:
Have the patients make ABC books to donate to the local Crisis Nursery or hospital.  Begin by coloring each page of the book.  Glue each page to a piece of construction paper.  (We shrink ours down to 1/4th of a page).  Hole punch the corner of each page.  Assemble the book once each letter has been completed.

Talk about the importance of service and how service can help us cope with life's difficulties.

via

via

via

Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs

I loved this grapic!

via

Birthday Cards

Here's another of our Sunday Service Activities.

Supplies:
Crayons/markers
Construction paper
Birthday clip art
Glue sticks

Description:
Have patients make some birthday cards to donate to a local hospital, school, or nursing home.  Talk about ways we can help others and how that can help overcome depression and other mental health issues in our own lives.  If possible, have one or two patients go with you donate the cards and then report back to the group on the experience.

via

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? 

via

Bubble Art

Here's another fun project!  Found here.

via

Materials:

White Paper

Bubbles

Ink (or possibly paint?!?)

Newspaper to cover table

Description:

Mix the bubbles and ink in a container.  You could mix different ratios of ink to bubble mixture in different containers if you'd like.  Cover the table with newspapers.  Blow bubbles onto the white paint to create an abstract painting look.

Ante Up

submitted here by Kathy Deik of Twining Village

Size of Group: small to large

Equipment: a jar of pennies (about 25 per person and 100 more for the "pot"), questions written on index cards beforehand

Objective: increase socialization

Description: Residents sit around a table. Each has 25 pennies placed in front of him/her. The "pot" of pennies is placed in the middle. Each resident takes turns reading a card and following the directions on it. Each card tells the reader to either give or take a penny. The resident with the most pennies at the end "wins", but this is also just a fun socializing game and is good for ice breakers too. Very quick to organize after you've done it once.

Some sample cards would be:

• IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN TO HAWAII, TAKE A PENNY FROM THE POT
• IF YOU ARE WEARING EYEGLASSES, GIVE A PENNY TO THE PERSON ON YOUR RIGHT
• IF YOU LIKE ICE CREAM, GIVE A PENNY TO EACH PERSON SITTING AT THE TABLE
• IF YOU KNOW HOW TO TYPE, TAKE A PENNY FROM THE PERSON ACROSS FORM YOU AT THE TABLE
• IF YOUR FAVORITE COLOR IS BLUE, GIVE A PENNY TO THE POT
• IF YOU CAN SAY HELLO IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE, DO SO, THEN TAKE A PENNY FROM THE POT
• SHAKE HANDS WITH THE PERSON ON YOUR RIGHT, AND GIVE HIM A PENNY
• IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN ON A BOAT, TAKE A PENNY FROM THE POT
• WHISTLE DIXIE, THEN GIVE A PENNY TO A PERSON WEARING RED
• ETC. ETC. ETC.

via

Burnout

I found this handout on Pinterest.  As therapists, we need to make sure we're taking care of ourselves too- not just our clients! :)

via

Conversation Jenga

Here's another version of Jenga, found on Pinterest!

Write one of the following on each Jenga block.  (Or number each statement and then number blocks).  On each players turn, they pull out a block and respond to the corresponding statement/question.

via

This is a great way to get to know the others in your group and practice appropriate social skills.

"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.

via

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?

Get Well Cards

Here's another of our Sunday Service Activities.

Supplies:
Crayons/markers
Construction paper
Get Well Soon clip art
Glue sticks

Description:
Have patients make some get well cards to donate to a local hospital or nursing home.  Talk about ways we can help others who are sick and how that can help overcome depression and other mental health issues in our own lives.  If possible, have one or two patients go with you donate the cards and then report back to the group on the experience.

via

Letter to My Younger Self

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

via

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!!

via

Addiction Art Activity

Talk about various things that people can be addicted too (drugs, alcohol, gambling, shopping, sex, etc.). Then have patients draw what their addiction looks like.  Process with patients about the addictions and how learning about who their addictions make them feel can help them work toward overcoming those addictions.  Help patients come up with a realistic plan for overcoming addiction in their lives.

via

Thank You Cards

Almost a year ago, our facility started a program we call "Sunday Service."  On Sundays we have fewer staff in the building and less groups with our patients.  Patients are less inclined to participate because they want to rest and have free time.  So we came up with the idea to have a low key activity.  We do some kind of service project each Sunday and listen to music.  One of the most popular activities is Thank You Cards.

Supplies:
Crayons/markers
Construction paper
Thank you clip art
Glue sticks

Description:
Have patients make thank you cards.  Each person must make at least one card to give to someone, whether it be a family member, friend, staff, etc.  Talk about the importance of expressing gratitude.

via

Hospital Mental Health Jeopardy

This is a jeopardy game that we created at our facility for those inevitable "sick days" when no activity therapist is able to work.  It's a pretty simple game, and most of the other staff members can run it if needed. You can adapt some of the questions to reflect the needs, schedule, etc. at your particular facility.

Who Am I?

Tell patients the theme for the day. Have patients design their own “Who I Am…” pie graph (see image below for example). They can include factors such as personality, medical diagnosis, goals, religion, etc… (20 minutes)

Have patients share.

Discussion questions:

-Why did you include that on your pie chart?

-Did you learn anything new about yourself?

-Did you learn something new about your peers?

-How do we use these things to label ourselves/others?

-Are we only defined by one part of ourselves?

-How is mental illness a part of ourselves? Does it define us?

Multiple Intelligences

Today's handout is an image I found on Pinterest.  How will you incorporate it into your groups??

via

Military Postcards

This is an activity we use for one of our "Sunday Service" projects, but is perfect for any patriotic holiday as well.

via

Supplies:

Red, white and blue construction paper

Markers/colored pencils/crayons

Pens

Stickers

Patriotic coloring pages

Bravery/patriotic quotes

Description:

Have the patients make military postcards/cards to donate to the local VA.  Begin by coloring one of the patriotic coloring pages.  You can then glue it onto a piece of construction paper.  Encourage patients to write a meaningful (appropriate) message to the veterans, thanking them for their service, sacrifice, etc.