How to Get the Most Out of Your Program at Centered
Starting treatment is a significant investment of your time, energy, and attention. Simply enrolling in a program does not guarantee that you will benefit from it. The research on psychotherapy and behavioral treatment consistently points toward engagement as an important part of the process. Attendance alone is not the same thing as engagement, but consistently showing up creates the opportunity to develop therapeutic relationships, practice new skills, receive feedback, and apply what you are learning. Research examining psychotherapy attendance has found that interventions designed to improve attendance can meaningfully increase participation, while research on treatment engagement suggests that active participation and effort between sessions may be more meaningful indicators of engagement than simply being present.
Your time at Centered is a huge investment in yourself. You’re investing your time, attention, and likely some financial resources to be present in our groups, so we want to help ensure you get the most out of it! At Centered, we encourage you to think about treatment as something you actively participate in rather than something that happens to you. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your program at Centered whether you start off at the PHP, IOP, or OP level. These tips will also apply whether you are in person with us in Roswell, GA, or participating virtually from someplace else.
Tips for Group Therapy
- Show up consistently. Attendance matters. Each group builds on the skills and concepts you are learning throughout the program. Missing groups can create gaps in your understanding and make it harder to build momentum.
- Jump right in! Centered groups are designed in a loop, so no matter where you begin, you will get a full education as long as you attend all of your recommended group sessions. Don’t worry if some of the concepts are unfamiliar your first week, those will be addressed again during your program.
- Listen like you’re learning a foreign language. When you’re learning a new language, you don’t have to understand every word immediately. You listen carefully, notice what sounds familiar, ask questions, and practice. Approach group the same way. You don’t have to agree with everything you hear or immediately understand how it applies to you. Listen for something that challenges you, teaches you, or makes you think differently.
- Come to group with the right mindset. You don’t have to feel completely motivated, calm, or happy before group begins. You simply need to make a conscious decision to be present and participate. Give yourself a few minutes before group to transition out of work, errands, or whatever else has been occupying your attention.
- Minimize distractions. During virtual groups, find a quiet, private space whenever possible. If there is background noise or you are in a shared space, use headphones so you can hear the group clearly and protect the privacy of the conversation.
- Be present, not just logged in. There is a big difference between attending group and actually being engaged in group. Notice when your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back, and give yourself permission to participate even when something feels uncomfortable.
- Don’t try to multi-task! Whether you’re in person or online, the temptation to try to multitask can be significant. We aren’t used to doing just one thing for a few hours! Resist the temptation to check email, write your grocery list, or scroll social media during group so that your attention can be on what you need — learning!
- Practice what you learn. Recovery skills don’t become useful simply because you heard them once. Look for opportunities to practice mindfulness, emotional regulation, communication, and relapse-prevention skills between groups. The goal isn’t to memorize what you learn at Centered; it is to make it a part of your everyday life.
- Be curious. Instead of asking, “Do I agree with this?” try asking, “What can I learn from this?” You may encounter ideas that feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable. Give yourself enough space to explore them before deciding whether they are useful to you.
Final Tips
Our final tip is to Remember that progress isn’t always comfortable. If everything fits neatly into what you already know, then growth will be limited. Sometimes the most valuable moments in any treatment program or group room are the ones that make you just a little bit uncomfortable, help you challenge an old belief, or help you see your behavior differently. You don’t have to fix everything at once. Stay engaged, stay curious, and keep showing up.
Author: Krista Smith, CEO, MS PSy
Medical Reviewer: Laura Wagar, LPC
