How To Get The Most Out Of Your Weekly Interpersonal Group Therapy Experience

• Arrange contact and time with group members between groups.
• Commit yourself to change/learn/practice/use other expressions than the discount “Try”, unless you’re Not fully committed to the action.
• Develop clear, as-measurable as possible, goals.
• Review your goals regularly; at least quarterly, then date and rate (01-10) on contract.
• Stay focused on the Present and on change.
• Take reasonable risks, especially when scared, experimenting/exploring new behaviors in group and between sessions.
• Keep a therapy journal – it really helps!
• Practice new behaviors again and again, in and out of group.
• Watch the video of the group regularly and carefully between sessions, both when present and absent; be sure to take notes and report your observations to your group.
• Put significant energy into homework when it is assigned, and bring it up/discuss it at next session.
• Reward yourself for positive changes, especially for small steps – this is how all animals learn everything ; See Please Don’t Shoot the Dog– Karen Pryor.
• Develop ‘here and now’ skills – be present-focused – what do I want/feel/think NOW.
• Check-out your perceptions; beliefs, impact; and reactions with others.
• Develop simple, clear and effective communication and intimacy skills (open, honest and direct in the ‘hear and now’; especially notice discounts of self and others = talking/acting as if what is Real isn’t Real, and what isn’t Real is Real.
• Give others generous, clear feedback.
• Give positive strokes to others for their changes.
• Review this carefully the first week and monthly thereafter.  Be sure to ask me about anything you don’t fully understand – you can be sure at least three other members also need to know.

CenterPoint Psychotherapy Psychology Associates  , 3729 Benson Dr. , Raleigh , NC 27609   and  World of One Global Integrative, 209 Lloyd St, Suite 290, Carrboro, NC 27510.