Transcript Steve Hanson-experiential activities handouts

Experiential Approaches
Steve Hanson
Director, Bureau of Addiction Treatment Centers
NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
Services
Does this work for everyone?
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Learning Styles
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People learn by watching
People learn by hearing
People learn by reading
People learn by doing
Experiential Activities
• Encourage neurochemical recovery
• Allow the client to experience the feelings,
solutions, and outcomes.
• Can be fun
• Practice the behavior
• Team Building – Support for Drug Court
Participants
• Problem Solving – must think through
Think of the issues for two
people
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New Participant
Recovery – it’s not
what I’m used to.
I’ll do it my way
I don’t trust these
people
Needs to learn new
skills
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New Prosecutor
Drug Court – it’s not
what I’m used to.
I’ll do it my way
I don’t trust these
people
Needs to learn new
skills
Traditional “Talk” Therapy
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Individual/Group sessions
Talk about “issues”
“Talking the Talk”
An “artificial” environment
Can be dominated by certain members
Some people don’t talk
Lectures/Movies
• Used to present information –important
• Less interaction – passive
• Retention issues – particularly in early
recovery
• Application issues – can you do it after
hearing/watching it?
Experiential Approaches
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Everyone participates
Does not require great verbal skills
Participants must think through problems
Experience whether their solutions work.
Fun and energizing
Concepts
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Trust
Thinking “out of their box”
“My way isn’t working so well”
Communication
Following directions
Listening
“I could use some help”
Experiential Activities
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Role Plays – what scenarios will folks face
Paper exercises
“Game Shows” – Recovery Jeopardy
Exercises
Ropes Course
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Role Plays
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Who will I have to say no to?
“The Bad Day” with a Greek Chorus
My last relapse
Dealing with triggers
Benefits – think through situations,
practice the behavior
THE BAD DAY
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PARTICIPANT
BOSS
SIGNIFICANT OTHER
DEALER/FRIEND
CHORUS – 5 MEMBERS
Exercises
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Activities designed to elicit feelings
Learning moments
Use different props – cheap
Fun to do.
Watch the participants – their issues will
be right in front of you.
Ropes Courses
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Low elements
High elements
Group problem solving
Doing things you never thought you could
do.
• Fun without drugs
• Look for colleges with recreation therapy
programs