Nobody breaks the cycle alone

The circle

Group therapy at Pathways

Residents are encouraged to share experiences in a safe and caring environment whilst embracing new values — supported to feel they are an equal member within the community.

We aim to offer a safe, substance-free environment in which residents can build on personal development by promoting positive self-regard: developing life skills and insight into all aspects of addiction. We have found that by using therapeutic groups, we enable the cycle to be broken.

Our approach to group therapy

An opportunity is offered to look at any situation relevant to residents in a clinical manner, reflect on what influenced the issue and how it might have been better managed. Future, realistic goals are then set based on this experience.

The aims of Pathways For All People's group therapy are to:

• Collaborate, identify and challenge unrealistic beliefs relating to substance misuse — and replace them with positive beliefs that strengthen behaviour change.
• Understand each person's relationship with substance misuse, and look for the early warning signs that may be triggers.
• Provide a systematic method for therapists and participants to address substance misuse in a non-threatening, flexible manner within a group setting.

Our structure is based on a humanistic approach, whose core characteristics are:

• Empathy
• Genuineness
• Positive regard

The relationship between residents and Pathways For All People must be based on trust and openness, whilst bearing in mind the need for confidentiality. The residents draw up the group ground rules with a co-worker present; as our group work is ongoing, with new residents joining periodically, the group's dynamics decide when a new mutual agreement is drawn up.

Our groups use tools such as communication skills and creative therapy, giving residents the freedom to interact with each other. By expressing their personalities in various ways, they begin to feel comfortable — and that is when change begins.