When Talking Won't Work: Implementing Experiential Group Activities With Addicted Clients

Abstract

Traditional talk therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral techniques, are often ineffective when working with addicted clients for many reasons. By tapping into the power of the group modality, experiential activities can serve as a powerful facilitator of insight and behavior change. The authors provide a brief review of the literature followed by the presentation of three effective exercises for groups of addicted clients.

Keywords:

• addicted clients
• experiential activities
• group process
• group work
• psychodrama

Additional information

Notes on contributors

W. Bryce Hagedorn

W. Bryce Hagedorn is an assistant professor of counselor education and director of the Community Counseling Clinic at the University of Central Florida.

Meredith A. Hirshhorn

Meredith A. Hirshhorn is a graduate student in the Marriage and Family Counseling program at the University of Central Florida.