Session 1

Psychoeducational groups for Women in Ghana

Group Facilitators: Grace Kerstetter and Emily Griffin 

S.M.A.R.T Goals: 

By the end of services, the group will identify at least 2 self care techniques in each self-care dimension (Physical, mental, social, spiritual, etc.)

The group will identify multiple self care techniques in each self-care dimension

The group will demonstrate an understanding of at least 2 self care technique

Agenda: 

• Roll call 
• Informed consent 
• Group rules and norms
• Introductions 
• Lessons/Activity 
• Break
• Activity 
• Debrief 
• Dismissal 

Lesson Plan: 

1. Take roll call of all students in attendance and mark those absent who are not attending. 

• Lock doors to ensure confidentiality

2. Discuss informed consent with participants 

Participants must: 

• agree to come and stay the entire session
•  agree and understand that the discussions in this group are confidential and should remain confidential
• agree to not talk over other members or give constructive opinions back to them 
• understand that it is my responsibility to discuss my therapeutic goals and reason(s) for attending. 
• Understand that no one is going to force them to talk or reveal difficult material before they are ready to do so.
• agree to come sober and not under the influence of drugs or alcohol 
• understand that this is a educational group and participation is effective 

3. Introductions 

• Each group member will introduce themselves with 2 truths and a lie and the rest of the group will have to guess which statement is a lie whoever guesses it right goes next. 

4. Lesson 1 Stress management: 

• Stress can be defined as the brain’s response to any change, positive or negative. This can happen yearly, daily, or occasionally. Stress shows up differently in each individual and can have a physical, mental, or emotional effect on the body. Stress can be acute meaning fight or flight, chronic meaning affecting your daily life and you mental and physical health, eustress meaning positive in daily life or distress meaning negative in daily life. 
• Common stressors:
  • Personal changes
  • work /school
  • Family changes 
  • Environmental changes 
• Symptoms (Hand Out) 
  • Emotional 
    • On edge 
    • Irritable 
    • Outbursts 
    • Feeling low 
    • Tearful 
    • Resentful of demands
    •  Anxiety 
    • Depression
  • Behavioral 
    • Urgency 
    • Over-committed 
    • Self neglect 
    • Inefficiency 
    • Nightmares
  • Physical 
    • Muscle tension 
    • Can’t relax 
    • Headaches 
    • Fatigue 
    • Minor illnesses
    •  Indigestion 
    • Weight loss/gain 
    • Skin conditions 
    • Raised blood pressure 
  • Cognitive 
    • Concentration trouble 
    • Easily distracted 
    • Inflexible 
    • Negative thoughts 
    • Perception of hopelessness 
    • Feeling of injustice
  • Relationships
    •  Less able to cope with others needs 
    • Problems at home 
    • Impatient 
    • Intolerant 
    • Wanting to be left alone 
    • Over controlling towards others 
    • Need to “lean” on others

5. Activity: 

6. Self-Care Coping strategies (handout) 

• Physiological  
  • Controlled Breathing  
  •  Relaxation 
  •  Diet and Exercise  
  •  Sleep Management  
  • Environmental Change 
• Cognitive/ Emotional 
  • Challenging Thinking
  •  Controlling emotions 
  • Positive thinking 
  • Self Awareness 
• Behavioral 
  •  Time  Management  
  • Acting relaxed  
  • Assertiveness 
  • Working with others  
  • Changing behavior 

• Group discussion question: 
  • As of right now what is 1 way that you manage your stress? 
• Self-Care coping strategy #1
  • Saying “NO” more often… Don’t take on more than you can handle… understand that you need a break too.
• Deep breathing  How to relieve stress: Breathing exercises you can do anywhere: Jed. The Jed Foundation. (2021, July 29) https://jedfoundation.org/resource/how-to-relieve-stress-breathing-exercises-you-can-do-anywhere/ 
  • This technique is named for the 4-sided approach in which each “side” or step is the same amount of time, as if you were visually creating a box with your breath.
    • Exhale all the air from your lungs while counting to four.
    • Hold for a count of four, keeping your lungs completely empty.
    • Inhale a deep, full breath for a count of four.
    • Keep your lungs full for a count of four.
    • Do this for at least four rounds and reduce the number of rounds if you start to feel light headed.
• Make time for yourself 
  • Go on a walk 
  • Play with a pet 
  • Meditate 
  • Pray
  • Exercise 
  • Get outside 
  • Watch TV 
  • Read a book
  • Etc. 

7. 5 minute break

1. Refreshments will be served 

8. Activity 

1. Coping strategies 

Today, Psychology. Coping Skills Inventory. n.d. Photograph. 

9. Debrief 

1. The group will discuss what they have learned from the group session and what they can implement for next time, and do a check in to see where every one is.

10. Dismissal 

Items Needed: 

• Handouts 
• Refreshments 
• Pens/pencils 
• Notebook
• Contract
• Informed Consent

References: 

Conn A. & Huay Ooi T. STRESS AND COPING WORKSHOP Counseling and Wellness Services. [PDF] https://www.wright.edu/sites/www.wright.edu/files/page/attachments/Stress%20Management%20Workshop.pdf

How to relieve stress: Breathing exercises you can do anywhere: Jed. The Jed Foundation. (2021, July 29) https://jedfoundation.org/resource/how-to-relieve-stress-breathing-exercises-you-can-do-anywhere/ 

Clinic, Mayo. “Anxiety Disorders.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, May 4, 2018. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961. 

Psychological Association, American. “American Psychological Association (APA).” American Psychological Association. American Psychological Association, 2020. https://www.apa.org/.