PROS Center for Wellness Group Descriptions
Anger Management Description: This Group aims to build key skills necessary for maintaining or building a healthy relationship. goal of this group is to your relationship practice and find ways to make necessary changes by setting appropriate boundaries, setting realistic expectations, setting limits, communicating effectively, handling conflict accurately, etc. Some of the topics covered include triggers of anger, monitoring your anger, conflict resolution, and anger and family. Assertiveness Description: Being assertive is a necessary component of building and maintaining healthy relationships. Assertiveness training will increase self confidence and effective communication and can decrease stress and reduce the instance of relapse. Group members will increase their ability to communicate assertively and decrease submissive and aggressive communication. Some of the topic lessons include basic rights, avoiding manipulation, voice and facial expression, and assertive language. Barriers to Change Description: Group members will learn to identify barriers in their lives that prevent them from reaching their goals and objectives. Group members will learn strategies to overcome barriers and how to utilize those strategies in daily living. Bipolar Education Description: To introduce a self-management approach-practical step-by-step which you develop personal, specific knowledge and skills to live a more satisfying life. This unit includes lessons that specifically focus on the research and education surrounding bi-polar diagnosis. Budgeting Description: Budgeting is an important aspect of managing finances. Learning how to set up a budget and stick to it can improve the likelihood of living within one s means and decrease overspending, thus reducing stress and possibly the instance of relapse and decompensation of mental health symptoms. The goal of this group is to create a budget to manage finances to improve daily functioning. Some of the topic lessons include organizing your finances, monthly income vs. monthly expenses, writing the budget, and how to stick to my budget.
Building Social Supports Description: Having social supports helps individuals cope with stress and symptoms more effectively which helps reduce relapse. The goal is to recognize aspects of supportive relationships and increase frequency and amount of supportive relationships in their lives. Some of the lesson topics covered in this group include Why are social supports important, Meeting new people, starting a conversation, and practicing in-depth conversation. Clinical Symptom Monitoring Description: Group explores issues associated with psychiatric symptoms, how to identify times when symptoms may become increased, self care techniques that may be used during stressful situations and ways to monitor and cope with psychiatric symptoms. Group also explores some symptoms associated with certain psychiatric diagnoses and discusses ways these may be managed. This group has a goal of being able to identify and better manage times when psychiatric symptoms are increased as well as to share coping skills. Co-Dependency Description: This group will allow its participants to explore how their roles in relationships may involve some level of co-dependent behavior. The material will present an overview of what co-dependency is; how and why it is unhealthy ; and how to start caring for themselves. Participants will build awareness of codependent behavior; identify the behavior in their relationships and begin to take basic steps toward making their relationship healthier. Cognitive Behavioral Problem Solving Description: Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing thoughts to change behavior. Negative thinking contributes to low self esteem, depression and anxiety. Teaching how to change thoughts to change behavior will increase an individual s ability to solve problems leading to decrease stress. The goal of this group is to have group members increase their ability to change thinking patterns to decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety. Some of the lesson topics include problematic thinking patterns, problems and solutions, personal development and practicing positive living.
Coping with Problems and Persistent Symptoms Description: this group will create a better understanding of some of the common symptoms/problems associated with Mental Illness group will address symptoms, coping strategies and tools needed to maintain health and well being. Lesson topics of this group include understanding mood problems, improving problem solving, improving communication, and finding a balance. DBT I & II Description: DBT has become an evidenced-based treatment and the treatment of choice for those who suffer from chronic suicidal behaviors and Borderline Personality Disorder. The goal of this group is to decrease lifethreatening, therapy-interfering and quality-of-life interfering behaviors. Additional goals include decrease post-traumatic stress responses and increasing self-respect and achieve individual goals. Diabetes and Nutrition Description: Group discusses and explores diabetes and the importance of a healthy ADA diet with a goal of managing diet and wellness through education and hands on comparison shopping and food preparation. Dual Disorder Description: Dual diagnosis, the treatment of patients who have chemical dependency and other mental or personality disorders, is a growing problem in the health care field. It is estimated that 40%-70% of all mental health and chemical dependency clients are actually suffering from dual disorders. The goal of this group is to build knowledge about psychiatric disorders and alcohol/drug abuse, to provide recovery information, teach client s how to take an active role to get well and cope with dual disorders and the problems that contribute to and/or result from them, help clients to identify specific recovery and relapse prevention issues, and aid client s in developing strategies and coping mechanisms to apply to daily life. Some of the topic lessons include effects of dual disorders on my life, roadblocks to recovery, and setting goals. Effective Communication Description: This group aims to create and increase communication skills to help members communicate effectively. The goal is to identify communication patterns and building skills to communicate more effectively to express needs, wants and concerns. Lesson topics of this group include increasing listening skills, self disclosure, fair fighting/conflict, and responding to criticism.
Exploring Community Opportunities Description: Community exploration and utilization of services is a vital component to successful independent living. This group will increase knowledge of opportunities with in the community to decrease the instance of relapse and increase the management of mental health services. The goal is to increase an individual s understanding of the demands of specific community life roles and to increase knowledge of opportunities available in the community. Some of the topic lessons include community services for healthy living, opportunities for working, learning and volunteering, and opportunities for fun. Family Dynamics and My Mental Illness Description: The family is an essential part to the individual s treatment and recovery. This group focuses on family dynamics that are marked by miscommunication, passive aggressive behaviors, frequent arguments and alienation. The goal of this group is to have member s communication improve to the point that conflict and dysfunction are markedly decreased. Lesson topics of this group include develop a family history, reduce expressions of anger, isolation in the family, and becoming closer together. Goal Attainment Description: Participants will learn skills to help attain goals such as earning income, finding work and living independently. Lesson topics of this group include making sense of your diagnosis, earning income, choices in employment, and scheduling. Healthy Lifestyles Description: Lifespan development is influenced by every area of one s life from family history to environment. Learning how to make healthy lifestyle choices can improve quality of life, mental health and lifespan. The goal of this group is to increase awareness of and ability to make healthy lifestyle choices. Some of the lessons include family lifestyle, social & community life, hobbies, habits, and interests, and environment.
Individual Processing thru Art Description: Focuses on using a cognitive approach to address individual barriers that include fears, decisionmaking, coping skills, and personal needs through creative imagery and problem solving. Introduction To Computers Description: Computers are a necessary component of most workplaces. Learning the basics of computer use can increase the likelihood of employment and improve the level of comfort in the workplace and decrease stress. The goal of this group is to build knowledge of basic computer use to better prepare for employment. Lessons of this topic include basic computer functions, introduction to Microsoft word, beginning to type, and using a printer. Life Management Skills Description: As human beings, we are all involved in managing our mental and physical wellbeing. Handling stress, solving problems, getting along with others, coping with disappointments and keeping a balanced life are all a part of everybody s day-to-day challenges. Learning how to manage mental health problems frees up time and energy to pursue our goals and enjoy life. The goal of this group is to improve success and satisfaction in important areas of life. Some of the topic lessons include personal recovery strategies, recognizing and using personal strength, and working effectively with your doctor. Loss and Grief Description: Loss and grief can complicate lives. Loss is an everyday part of life but there are loss events that are significant and can result in complicated bereavement. Loss issues can be accompanied by feelings of guilt, shame, loss of self esteem, feelings of helplessness, and deep sadness. The goal of this group is to learn how to deal with and work through loss and grief and to move forward with their lives. Some of the lessons topics include identifying your feelings, barriers to adjustment, quality of life, and saying goodbye. Maintaining A Healthy Relationship Description: This group aims to build key skills necessary for maintaining or building a healthy relationship. The goal is to identify relationship practice and find ways to make necessary changes by setting appropriate boundaries, setting realistic expectations, setting limits, communicating effectively, handling conflict accurately, etc. Some of the lesson topics include building trust setting boundaries, handling jealousy, anger and hurt in a relationship, and making appropriate changes.
Managing A Crisis Description: Developing a Plan for Life that will increase insight and knowledge into symptoms, thoughts, feelings and life events that lead to crisis and how to implement these skills into a daily plan. To assist in the education of the individuals support system as how to most effectively assist in the individuals treatment and care before, during and after a crisis situation or time period. Lesson topics of this group include planning for life and wellness, recognizing changes in mood, the support system, and understanding suicidal thinking & suicide prevention. Managing Anxiety Description: Anxiety is one of the most difficult and common symptoms of mental illness. Learning to how to cope and manage anxiety in a healthy way can decrease the instance of relapse and decompensation of mental health symptoms. The goal is to reduce overall level, frequency and intensity of the anxiety so that daily functioning is not impaired, and to stabilize anxiety level while increasing the ability to function on a daily basis. Some of the lesson topics include anxiety and medications, identifying negative thoughts, physiology of a panic attack, and coping strategies. Managing Emotions Description: This group will increase feelings of personal empowerment, hopefulness, and optimism; increase respect for self and reduce fears of abandonment. Some of the lesson topics include positive beliefs of self, humor and emotions, negative thinking, shades of gray, and being a survivor. Managing Independence Description: Individuals will learn to identify who the members of our treatment team are, discuss how a team works together to reach goals and how to practice teamwork skills. Group members will also learn how to use their treatment team to reach the greatest level of functioning potential for their individual capabilities. Some of the lessons of this group include Phases of recovery, choosing role recovery goals, and who are the members of the treatment team.
Managing Symptoms of Mental Illness Description: When psychiatric symptoms first emerge, it is often difficult, and sometimes impossible, for the person who is experiencing the symptoms to recognize and understand what is happening. Managing symptoms of mental illness is vital for preventing decompensation and relapse. The goal of this group is to have group members become familiar with reasons why people have symptoms, signs and symptoms of a relapse, how to handle an emergency and things to do to promote recovery. Some of the lesson topics include understanding the changes, acceptance, symptoms checklist, and reducing risk of relapse. Medication Education Description: Group explores psychiatric medications, including side effects, adverse effects, risks verses benefits and the importance of open communication with health care providers. The goal of this group is for each client to know what medications they are on, to gain the ability to identify reasons for taking or not taking medications, proper use of medications, medications and substance abuse and ultimately for each client to be able to have the knowledge to communicate with prescriber about their medications. Men s Mental Health Description: Gender is an aspect of mental illness that cannot be ignored. Many men struggle with the idea of seeking help and recognizing struggles. The goal of this group is to address issues of mental illness specific to the male gender, and to provide understanding and acceptance. Some of the lesson topics include the myth of masculinity, communication, men and depression, and men & relationships. Mindfulness Description: This group will explore the foundation of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and a skill used by many religions: Mindfulness. Mindfulness is an important skill in regulating emotion, and staying present in whatever moment you are in without needing to react to it. The goal is to teach the basics of mindfulness, and how to apply it to each individual s life so that each person may learn to direct their mind to stay present, non-reactive, non-judgmental, and effective; ultimately, in order to make healthy decisions. Some of the lesson topics include why mindfulness, mindful communication with others, doing what s effective, and mindfulness and meditation.
Money Management Description: Learning how to manage finances and gain understanding of responsible spending are important skills which increase financial independence. Being able to write a check, analyze expenses and adjust spending to save money are important skills which improve financial stability and increase an individual s success for independent living. The goal of this group is to have group members increase their knowledge of how to spend money responsibly, have a checking account and to save money. Mood Management Description: Often mental illness and the symptoms associated with it have a negative impact on one self. The focus of this group is reframing our state of mind to focus on the positive in our lives despite the mental illness. The goal of this group is to focus on the positive changes, events, and experiences that we have experienced throughout our lives and continue to build upon those happy feelings. Some of the lesson topics include the pathway from hurt to happiness, what is forgiveness, habits for a healthier life, and building self confidence. Motivating Choices Description: It is surprising when you realize the number of choices you can make about your life. You may not always be able to choose what happens to you, but you can choose how you react to what happens. Being able to effectively make decisions, stay motivated and solve problems promotes recovery and symptom management. The goal of this group is to have group members increase their ability and comfort for effectively setting a goal and making complex decisions. Some of the lesson topics include developing a vision, 10 life dimensions, plan for success, and managing setbacks. Nutrition and Fitness Description: What and how we choose to eat affects our health. People struggle with making healthy food and drink choices for many reasons. People with mental illness may struggle even more due to symptoms, lifestyle issues, and medication side effects. It is possible to get past these challenges. A healthy lifestyle helps you to prevent health problems, reach and keep a healthy weight and feel better overall. Some of the topic lessons include choosing healthy eating and wellness, what kind of hungry are you, the five food groups, eating wisely on a budget, and strategies to stay on track.
Recovery Strategies Description: This topic sets a positive and optimistic tone that continues throughout the illness management and recovery process. It conveys confidence that people who experience symptoms can move forward in their lives. It introduces the concept of recovery and encourages members to develop their own definitions of recovery.. The goal of this group is to increase awareness of the concept of recovery and expand the possibilities of recovery in individuals lives. Some of the lesson topics include what is recovery, identifying goals, tracking goals and rewarding yourself, and the science of medication. Relapse Prevention Description: Relapse can occur and learning to cope with stressors and triggers can reduce the risk of relapse. Relapse prevention is an integral part of the recovery process and learning to recognize and respond to warning signs can reduce the likelihood of relapse. The goal of this group is to understand what relapse means and the potential cost of relapse. Lesson topics of this group include medication changes can start a relapse, too much stress can lead to relapse, health, wellness, and relapse, and responding to relapse. Self Esteem Description: Self-Esteem is a vital part of psychological functioning. Growing in self-esteem means building self-confidence and strength from within; no longer needing something or someone outside yourself to make you feel okay. By increasing self-esteem and our sense of self-worth we improve our ability to be successful in all areas of life. The goal of this group is to improve participant s awareness and knowledge of how their level of self-esteem was created; how it impacts all areas of life, and what can be done to begin to increase selfesteem. Some of the topic lessons include causes and affects of low self-esteem, disarming the critic, handling mistakes learn and move on, responding to criticism, and goal setting and planning. Self Expression thru Art Description: This group will focus on increasing self-awareness, through a therapeutic exploration of interpersonal relationships, group interactions, general themes, concentration, memory, dexterity and the use of guided imagery, visualizations, dreams and meditations. Lesson topics of this group include the garden of self, lifelines, media explorations, and symbolic banners.
Skill Development and Recovery Description: The development of coping skills is essential to the recovery process. Writing offers the opportunity of sharing thoughts, feelings and behaviors in an alternative and expressive form of communication. Learning how to write and express oneself creatively will decrease the instance of relapse and decompensation of mental health symptoms. The goal of this group is to build knowledge of the writing process and how it may be utilized as a coping skill to apply to daily functioning and mental health. Some of the topic lessons include writing from objects, free write, and life s journey. Smoking Cessation Description: Group explores health benefits associated with smoking cessation and makes individual goals and plans to quit smoking in a reasonable and timely manner using CBT and group support. Stress Management Description: Stress is one of the leading causes and triggers for illness. Learning how to cope and manage stress in a healthy way can decrease the instance of relapse and decompensation of mental health symptoms. The goal of this group is to build knowledge of stress reduction coping skills and the ability to apply to daily functioning and mental health. Lesson topics for this group include recognizing signs of stress, coping through communication, coping through humor, and coping through games or hobbies. Substance Abuse and its Affects Description: To explore reasons why we use substances and the effects it has had/has on our lives; how to reclaim our lives from old behaviors and thinking. The goal of this group is to weigh effects that drugs/alcohol have on our physical bodies, learned behaviors, and our relationships. Topic lessons of this group include weighing the pros and cons of sobriety, developing a sober lifestyle that meets your needs, and early warning signs of relapse. Substance Abuse and Recovery Description: What role has spirituality played in your recovery? This curriculum will uncover the strength in your Higher Power, and will aide you in working the 12-steps to support a clean and sober lifestyle. This curriculum also looks at the thoughts and beliefs behind addiction as well as the behavior. The goal of this group is to review the 12 steps and individually share with the group any concerns, and progress each member has made in each step. Topic lessons of this group include Importance of Recovery Partner/Healthy Support, What Behaviors do you use to compensate for uncomfortable feelings, and Prayer or Looking for Direction/Practice the Principal.
Substance Dependence Description: Substance dependence is a serious issue that can affect all aspects of a person s life. People with substance dependence issues may have high levels of shame or guilt about these problems, may have unresolved past issues, have difficulties with relationships, and have little support. In addition, denial and minimization of the effects of the substance use are common in people who use, abuse, or are dependent. The goal of this group is to have group members understand the effects of substance use on mental illness, the differences between abuse and dependence, learn how to make decisions about using, reducing or stopping substance use, identify and participate in activities that do not involve substance use, find sober supports, learn to have a lifestyle free of substances, be able to identify high risk situations, and plan and practice to use coping skills. Lesson topics of this group include common reasons for using substances, staying away from substances, having meaningful roles in life, and improving friendship skills. Telling your Story thru Art Description: This group focuses on using narrative therapy techniques to aid the individual in recognizing their barriers to wellness and recovery and enabling them to envision and create positive perspectives towards goal attainment using creative media as their tools; including fabric, collage, photo media, and mixed media. Topic lessons of this group include telling my story (writing), images of my strengths, using color, design & texture to tell my story, and putting it all together. Trauma Thru Art Description: This group focuses on developing and utilizing creative skills to manage symptoms of stress related to traumatic experiences or life event and increase life quality and functioning. Understanding Depression Description: Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses. Learning how to cope and manage depression in a healthy way can decrease the instance of relapse and decompensation of mental health symptoms. The goal of this group is to recognize, accept, and cope with feelings of depression and to alleviate depressed mood and return to previous level of effective functioning. Lesson topics of this group include feelings and depression, depression and the brain, affirmations and optimism, and changing depressive behavior.
Understanding Relationships Description: This Group aims to build key skills necessary for maintaining or building a healthy relationship. Identifying your relationship practice and finding ways to make necessary changes by setting appropriate boundaries, setting realistic expectations, setting limits, communicating effectively, handling conflict accurately, etc. Some of the lesson topics include Past Experiences and, Family Dynamics - How they affect current relationships, communicating effectively, and setting boundaries. Vocational Prep Description: Choosing to work is a major recovery goal. This group will explore strengths, needs, past work attempts, increase knowledge of opportunities within the community and of social security to prepare for a job search. This group will increase knowledge and usage of skills to prepare to return to work. The goal of this group is to have each member explore emotional readiness for returning to work and will create an individual plan of action to prepare for a job search. Some of the topic lessons include interests, needs and strengths, past work attempts, introduction to WIPA, and individual plan of action. Wellness and Recovery Description: The purpose of this group is to develop strategies and techniques to utilize during our recovery process. The group aims to identify what recovery from mental illness is and what can your learn to aide you on your path to recovery. The goal is to increase our awareness on the techniques and stratgies we can use to help us in our process of wellness and recovery. Women s Mental Health Description: Good mental health is a key component of a woman s overall health. Women have issues that are particular to their gender and understanding these issues can lead to a greater sense of well being. The goal of the group is to explore issues particular to a woman. This group is designed to explore women s roles and women s mental and physical health. The purpose of this group is to help women to fund balance and purpose in their lives. Work and Recovery Description: Work and Mental Health are interactive. Improvement in these areas enhances the effectiveness of rehabilitation. Positive changes occur as individuals find they can work in competitive, community based jobs beside other people without disabilities. The goal of this group is to have members explore emotional readiness for returning to work and create a Work Recovery Plan to plan a job search.