Addressing Different Learning Styles – In traditional education systems, students are supposed to learn and retain information by sitting still and listening to a lecture or reading material. This works great for only a small percentage of clients, due to issues related to stages of recovery, cognitive ability, as well as differing learning styles.
Conscious Recovery groups offer variations in teaching and learning styles to engage all types of clients – those who are more visual, auditory, or kinesthetic in their learning style, regardless of where they are on their recovery path.
Keeping Things Moving – We like to get the clients up and moving around. This keeps the energy flowing, and keeps clients engaged. Breaking up into small groups or dyads allows all types of clients, including introverts and extroverts, to interact with one other and feel included.
This is also a great way to build relationships between clients and allow for deeper connections beyond what they would experience in a traditional psycho-educational or lecture-style group.
Willingness to Abandon the “Set” Curriculum – If an exercise feels like it is falling flat, you don’t have to always stick with exactly what’s written. For example, if clients are resistant or not offering up much discussion, it’s ok to shift to the next exercise, use the journaling questions, or give them another question or activity. To the best of your ability, please stick to the curriculum; however, you can also deviate if necessary. This allows for more spontaneity and engagement.
Presence and Curiosity – Staying present and curious will allow you to let go of any attachment to an agenda or expectations about how the group “should” go. If you’re truly committed to remaining present and curious about what the group needs, you may go deeper into a particular exercise, where you might miss an opportunity if you have the mindset that you “need” to get through all of the group exercises and activities.