Anxiety Group Therapy Curriculum
Group therapy is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders. It offers a safe and supportive space for individuals to express their emotions with others and learn healthy coping techniques from one another.
Counselors have access to a range of anxiety group therapy curriculums. These may include psychoeducational, interpersonal or process-oriented, exposure, and self-help groups.
Psychoeducational groups are usually structured and designed to educate members about their disorder or condition. Additionally, they assist members in recognizing what triggers their symptoms and creating strategies for avoiding them.
Second, interpersonal or process-oriented groups are designed to work on relationships and experiences related to an individual’s anxiety. In these settings, members gain insight and develop strategies for connecting with those they know, such as friends or family members.
Third, exposure therapy is a type of group that encourages members to confront their fears by entering challenging situations. It often takes place in a group setting so people can practice these skills in realistic scenarios and receive feedback from their peers about how well they’re progressing.
Finally, self-help groups are usually led by those who have encountered or worked through a problem. They offer an ideal option for those who have yet to speak with a therapist and wish to address their issues in a supportive environment.
These groups are ideal for students who need to develop their communication skills and establish healthy boundaries. Furthermore, they provide an effective means of helping those suffering from anxiety symptoms to cope.
The key to a successful group is for members to feel safe with and trust their peers. Here are some activities you can incorporate into your next anxiety group session:
For those who struggle to feel their emotions, consider using senses as grounding exercises. This could be done by having the group spend time discussing how their 5 senses can help them feel calmer and more grounded during the session.
Jeopardy games for teens can be an engaging way to start conversations about anxiety and its effects. Depending on your group’s interests, this game could involve identifying anxious thoughts and finding evidence either supporting or disproving them.
A straightforward but effective activity, this game divides the group into pairs and requires each member to maintain prolonged eye contact with their partner. After a set amount of time has elapsed, they can switch places and continue gazing into each other’s eyes.
Exercising eye contact is an excellent way for anxious members to establish deeper connections with their peers. Additionally, it helps cultivate empathy and reduce feelings of being judged.
Affirmations are a popular anxiety group therapy curriculum. Affirmations give members of the group an opportunity to celebrate their strengths with each other and have an honest conversation about themselves. Plus, these affirmations can serve as an effective tool for group members to use at home when feeling low or depressed.