This group begins with a discussion of the planned activities, the location and the expectations of each participant.  Once each client stretches and the warm up have been completed, the group engages in the physical activity followed by the cool down.  A short de-briefing period follows each Fitness group to discuss the impact on the body and the subsequent impact on the mind and spirit.  Revelations and thoughts generated during the Fitness Group are discussed at this time and feedback is given.

Spirituality Group

The purpose of this group is to explore faulity or dysfunctional beliefs and accompanying feelings which promote irrational and/or self destructive behaviors. This group seeks to generate productive beliefs based upon a relationship with God or a high power and subsequent meaning and purpose in life.

The goal of this group is to heighten awareness of attitudes, strenthen productive beliefs that have served to move clients in a positive manner, and cognitions which consist of faulty irrational thinking. The group challenges clients to commit to the 12 step recovery process.

Multiple methods of learning styles and media are utilized to help reveal faulty belief systems. Further, clients will derive the origin of their belief system, rate their mood when rehearsing the faulty belief, and learn to replace the faulty cognitioin with productive positive self statements and subsequent elevated mood

Gardening Group

This group is run in the back yard of the facility where the garden section is located.  Each client is given a portion of ground to plant the fruit or vegetable of their choice.  The group is conducted in silence and clients are encouraged to meditate, or think about what affects their family, the earth under them, those around them, and in some sense the world at large.  Following the planting, weekly watering will take place and plowing up of weeds.  At the conclusion, the group will be asked to share thoughts and self statements that are positive. Given that this group is held outside, strict monitoring takes place.  

Art and Music Therapy Group

We utilize both art and music to aid clients in delving into past hurts — and learning how to productively express their sadness in a creative fashion. The focus of this group is not based on artistic ability or expertise. Rather, a greater appreciation for and an alternative way of expressing self that is creative and productive is the goal of this group.

Art

Clients are given a great deal of freedom in this group and can utilize various art supplies including paints, crayons, markers, glue, glitter, newspaper, magazine clippings, poster boards, wood, clay, playdoo, etc.  Assignments, such as collaging the pain surrounding an event or drawing an ideal resolution to the family difficulty are created and explored for clarification.  Discussion follows the activity and clients are asked to share feelings that surfaced during the creation and once the creation was completed. 

Music

Each adolescent is given the opportunity to engage in the healing nature of creating a song, singing along with a song, or playing some accompanying instrument to a song that sparks significant meaning.  At other times, words from various impacting songs are drafted and clients are asked to listen to the words while the music is played.  Discussion about feelings that surfaced and what each client was capable of relating to is provided at the conclusion of this group.  The soothing nature of music is essential in calming clients and sparking insightful recollection, remorse, sadness, or joy. 

Purpose Group

This group defines purpose and how it is applicable in each client’s life.  It serves to assist in giving direction and meaning by focusing on each adolescents strengthens and callings. And provides an opportunity for each client to filter out negative feedback given from peers and focus on the positive contributions they can give to the world.

This group can be facilitated in either a didactic workshop or group format. It begins with an open discussion of the meaning of words such as purpose, calling, and destiny; and moves into identifying strengthens, through list making, that each client possesses.  Two primary questions are asked:

• What the client likes to do?
• What is the client good at?

Our clients are encouraged to be creative and allow themselves to dream without the usual confines of society being placed upon them.  Filtering out the negative in order to focus on the positives is instrumental in allowing each adolescent the opportunity to search his or her heart for their purpose.  Writing assignments or art projects are given. Written materials, books, and educational films or audio tapes are also used.  The group concludes with presentations to peers and feedback on what each client will need to focus on, and believe in to achieve their purpose.   

Conflict Resolution Group

The purpose of this group is to:

• Teach adolescents in crisis how to identify when they are beginning to become upset because of a difference of opinion with someone.
• Raise awareness regarding their current method used to deal with feelings when a conflict arises. 
• Learn alternative socially appropriate ways of dealing with conflict. 
• Learn how to utilize reflective listening techniques and conflict resolution statements to facilitate hearing and expression.

Group opens by allowing each client to rate their own personal ability to handle conflict within the Abundant Life Program, when interacting with staff and peers, and with parents.  A board will be used to write down ways of dealing with conflict in the past.  Each method will be rated for appropriateness or inappropriateness.  Materials such as role playing, hypothetical situations, skits etc., will be used to aid clients in trying out alternative problem solving techniques.  Humor and exaggeration will also be used to demonstrate how ridiculous angry outbursts look especially when disproportionate to the circumstances.  Education on reflective listening and non-threatening confrontation statements will also be addressed.  Discussion at the conclusion of each exercise will take place to assess the client’s comfort level and the possibility that conflict be will approached from a different perspective. 

Self-Harm Group

The group seeks to remove the shame and secrecy from any form of self injury.  Moreover, the purpose is to educate, validate, explore, define, and attempt to eradicate the need to injury self in any fashion including cutting, burning, hitting head, picking skin, etc.  The purpose is to gain an understanding of the underlying causes and related issues of self esteem in self – injurious behavior.  

Each client is given a yoga mat, removes foot coverings, and sits in a circle on the ground.   Soft music is played, while the group leader provides a safe environment for candid disclosure to take place.  An exploration of previous harmful behaviors, precipitating events to the behaviors, and thoughts and emotions that where present at the time are also explored.  Group feedback is an intricate part of this group.  Peers provide a safe haven for confronting past acts that have since been concealed.  The “rewarding” aspect of self-injury is also explored and our clients are challenged to brainstorm alternative behaviors that they can engage in to receive a similar benefit.  The group concludes with applause for each client that is capable of sharing honestly and taking in feedback on alternative ways of dealing with thoughts and feelings in the future.  

Addiction Education Group

The purpose of this group is:

• To educate each client to the aspects of addiction and the possibilities for recovery.
• To provide a safe place to disclose behaviors engaged in when obtaining drugs and confronting the less glamorized true side of the addiction mentality.
• To aid each client in understanding the 12 step recovery process and how it can be internalized in their life. 

This group is presented in an educational responsive fashion.  Each client is given an opportunity to share and rate how they are doing in their road to sobriety.  Written materials, films, guest speakers and group sharing with feedback are utilized. Post tests are administered at regular intervals to measure progress and internalization of the sober lifestyle and mindset.

Anger Management Group

The purpose of this group is:

• To aid each client in identifying their triggers and the possible origin of their anger.
• To address “out of control” feeling during emotional outburst and feelings following the anger.
• To teach alternative problem solving skills to engage when angry.
• To aid clients in understanding the difference between aggression and assertiveness.

The facilitator uses various modes to demonstrate the range of emotion expressed as demonstrated in songs, poems, television movies, and in their home.  Various skits are used to aid clients in acting out anger they have seen depicted at home, at school, by peers at Abundant Life, by siblings, etc.  Each client is invited to the board to write an alternative response given various self statements and various emotions. Clients are encouraged to choose peace rather than aggression to engage in with others.   Empathy developing skills are also used to help our clients understand how their “bulling” impacts others and that a low self esteem is at the heart of their anger and intimidation. 

Documentary Group "Movies"

We utilize the vast media and audio industry to educate, expose, and challenge our clients as they move toward healing and wholeness.

The leader of the group will give an overview of the film and the relevant data that will be introduced that relates to the treatment.  Clients will watch the documentary in silence and a pen and paper will be available if salient topics surface for them.  At the conclusion of the film, a short debriefing discussion will take place to provide clients with an avenue to share lessons learned, and explore forthcoming emotions.