Group Therapy Activities for Adults

When your caseload is too high and your clients could benefit from camaraderie built on shared experiences, you may want to consider trying these group therapy activities for adults. 

When I worked at a psychiatric hospital, I facilitated many group sessions and found that group therapy activities were a great way to keep these sessions engaging and enriching, while also reaching more clients in less time.

Rather than seeing four clients back-to-back, we can see the same number of clients during one group therapy hour. This format also allows us to take more of a backseat role while fostering a sense of community as group members help each other with a common problem. 

 Listed below are some benefits of group therapy and ground rules that helped me manage the groups I ran, as well as several examples of group therapy activities for adults to consider for your practice. 

Benefits of group therapy

One benefit of group therapy is that clients can help each other through their shared experiences. Groups are structured around commonalities , like anger management, depression, divorce, or grief, which unites clients and allows them to discuss similar struggles and solutions. As members hear what worked or didn’t from others, they can evaluate different plans of action. 

Group therapy allows clients to build camaraderie with group members inside and outside of sessions, strengthening their support systems. 

Clients can develop healthy relationship skills during group therapy, like active listening and using respectful speech, thereby improving members’ socialization and communication skills. 

And for some clients, group therapy may be more affordable than individual sessions. 

Rules for group therapy

Though the specific rules for your practice may vary, here are three essential rules you should follow in order to foster an open and supportive environment.

Confidentiality is of paramount importance with group therapy

Group members should keep what’s shared during sessions to themselves. In order for members to share openly and genuinely support each other, group therapists must promote an environment of trust.

Punctuality should be encouraged

Group therapists should start and end sessions at their scheduled times to establish clear boundaries and communicate respect for all members. It’s also important that all group members have a chance to share. When a member is dominating the dialogue, group therapists will need to cut them off and let someone else speak to help the group achieve its purpose. 

Group members should wait their turn to speak

However, the group therapist reserves the right to interrupt members if clarification or transition is needed. All members should speak respectfully, without gossip or derogatory language. They should also turn off their cell phones or set them to vibrate so the group can maintain its focus. Members should leave the room if they need to check messages or make a call. 

Examples of group therapy activities for adults

In the first three examples, we’ll go over group therapy activities for adults that help motivate them or orient them toward positive perspectives. 

Then, in the additional examples, we will go over group therapy activities that address specific issues they struggle with, like substance abuse and anxiety. 

Motivational group therapy activities for adults

Yarn Web

You will need: A ball of yarn and plenty of space (could be outside).

1. Direct members to sit in a circle.
2. Explain to the group how setting aside time to reflect on the positives in our lives can produce happiness and gratitude. 
3. Tell members to think of 3-5 “good things” about their present lives and their reasoning. Show the group a ball of yarn and direct members to toss it to each other, sharing their “good things” when they catch it. 
4. Start the activity by holding the yarn ball and sharing your “good things” (i.e., I live in a sunny place, I have enough food to eat, I can exercise), then toss it to another member. 
5. Continue tossing the yarn ball until everyone has received it and shared their “good things.”
6. The yarn should now look like a spider web in the middle of the circle. 
7. Next, tell members to think about how meditating on the positives in their lives can help them on a daily basis. 
8. Direct the group to toss the ball to members in a backward pattern, sharing their ideas with the group as they unwind the yarn web. 

Most Memorable Year

You will need: To tell members to bring a photo or item that represents a positive memory in advance of the group session. 

1. Start the session by discussing how we often forget or minimize pleasant experiences in our lives. 
2. Share how looking at photos, or handling souvenirs, from happy times can encourage us to overcome present problems. 
3. Ask members to share their photo or item with the group, explaining why they chose it and how it can help them manage current stressors. 

Spaghetti Marshmallow Towers

You will need: Tables, plastic cups, packages of dry spaghetti, and bags of mini marshmallows (one for each pair of members in the group).

1. Explain to the group how a solid foundation is critical for resiliency. 
2. Tell members to divide into pairs and position themselves with enough space for building around one of the tables (one table per pair). 
3. Give each team the following supplies: one plastic cup, one package of dry spaghetti, and one bag of mini marshmallows. 
4. Inform members they’ll have 20 minutes to build a freestanding tower, using only the supplies provided, then set a timer for 20 minutes. 
5. After time is up, have each pair present their final product with the group.
6. Then, process the experience with the group. Make connections between the activity and real-life events. For example, how building on a weak foundation by remaining in a codependent relationship or toxic work environment can perpetuate problems. On the other hand, accepting help from others, such as assistance from friends or faith communities, can bring encouragement and support. 

Substance abuse group activities for adults

Family Genograms

You will need: Butcher paper and colored pencils (or crayons or markers), and a general knowledge of family genograms or a sample you can reference. 

1. Give each group member a sheet of paper and colored pencils. 
2. Share with the group how family dynamics can be a strong contributor and perpetuator of substance abuse. Explain how we can better address substance abuse when we identify family patterns which encourage this behavior. 
3. Using a sheet of butcher paper and colored pencils, show the group how to complete a family genogram. 
4. Give the group 15 to 20 minutes to make their own genograms, offering help as needed.
5. Afterwards, ask members to share their genograms with the group, noting any family histories of substance abuse. 
6. Process with the group how their observations can affect their recovery from substance abuse.   

Emergency Cards 

You will need: A pack of lined 4×6 index cards and pens (one for each member).

1. Pass around a pack of lined 4×6 index cards and pens, directing each member to take one. 
2. Share how relapse usually happens when we don’t have a plan and stick to it. Explain how carrying an Emergency Card in our wallet or purse can help us to prevent relapse. 
3. Direct members to write and answer the following on their Emergency Cards: places to avoid (environments in which they’ll be tempted to relapse); helpful people (at least two supportive people who’ll help talk them out of poor decisions or come pick them up, and their phone numbers); and actions (at least two quick and healthy alternatives, such as walking outside or calling a friend). 
4. Ask members to share their Emergency Cards with the group, asking how they’ll use them this week.  

Wellness Wheels 

You will need: Wellness wheel and pens (one for each member of the group).

1. Give each group member a copy of the Wellness Wheel. 
2. Explain to the group how substance abuse can start and continue when there is insufficiency or imbalance in our lives. Give examples of how loneliness, job dissatisfaction, and poor physical health can contribute to substance abuse. 
3. Review the Wellness Wheel with the group, asking members to read portions aloud and share how they personally recognize the connection between these areas and substance abuse. 
4. Direct members to complete the Wellness Wheel, then process their plans for application. 

Anxiety group activities for adults

Grab Bag 

You will need: A dark colored bag and different textured items (i.e., felt square, starfish, jingle bell, cookie cutter).

1. Before starting the activity, fill a dark-colored bag with different textured items. Provide enough items for each member to choose at least one. 
2. Begin the activity by explaining how physical grounding is an effective way to lower anxiety. Through touching the items around us and noticing their textures, we can quickly calm ourselves down. 
3. Direct members to pass the bag around, choosing an item from inside without looking. 
4. Once they have the item in hand, encourage them to notice all the details they can about it. 
5. Ask members to share their item with the group, holding it up for others to clearly see while describing its shape, color, texture, and size. 

5W Interviews

You will need: A pen and paper (one for each member of the group).

1. Give each group member one piece of paper and pen. 
2. Tell the group that anxiety often develops from fear of the unknown, and persists in avoidant behaviors. Explain how information and practice can help us lower our anxiety, as we learn about and actually perform those activities which scare us. 
3. Direct members to form pairs in which they’ll “interview” each other about anxiety. All members will ask each other the 5W Questions (Who? What? When? Where? Why?), focusing on anxiety (i.e., Who do you talk to when you’re anxious? What do you do when you feel anxious?). Emphasize that members can share as much as they feel comfortable with, and that they can use a stop sign (lifting up an open hand) if they don’t want to answer a question. 
4. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the pairs to complete their interviews. Then, ask all members to rejoin the group circle and process their findings. 

Safe Place 

You will need: Ask members to bring in a picture that represents a calm and safe place to the next group session. The picture can be taken from a magazine, website, or their personal collection. 

1. When starting this group activity, explain the importance of positive imagery in managing anxiety. The ability to bring a beautiful and serene place to the forefront of our minds can help us forget about current stressors. Especially in moments of panic, it’s helpful to have a physical picture handy to help us focus on that “safe place.”
2. Ask members to take turns showing the picture of their “safe place” to the group, explaining why they chose it and how they can use it to lower anxiety. 

Group therapy brings creativity, peer support, and efficiency to our clinical practice. 

Group therapy activities  can help clients overcome problems they face, as they’re encouraged and helped by fellow members. 

Integrating group therapy activities for adults into your practice—while maintaining confidentiality and camaraderie—can help clients build resiliency and social skills.

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