GROUP SESSION

Anamnesis*

• Client’s history.
• To be done before first session for ±30 minutes.
  • In case of adolescents the presence of a caregiver during first anamnesis is requested.

Introduction:

• Get to know each other. Clients are sitting (on the floor or chair depending on their physical capacities) in a circle. All tell their names, state of mind and body
• Each client tells their name, maybe expressed with movement.
• Warm-up:
  • of the different body parts, chest stretching arms up and rolling forward down starting from the head, clapping, tapping one’s face with fingers tips, and the use of imagery such as, ‘lean your head to the side as if someone will kiss your cheeks’. Stretching arms, torso, hip joints, legs and feet.
  • Breathing techniques: sense of well-being. Helping clients who have difficulties with feeling their own breath.
  • Grounding: inviting client to connect with the floor (earth connection). To feel the feet on the ground and how they are anchored on the floor. This provides clients physical self-awareness and a sense of being ‘here’ and ‘now’.
  • Self-touch (if client allows): taping gently different body parts (chest, belly, arms, legs, feet). It helps clients to become aware of the wholeness of their bodies. Integration of body and mind.
• Music: connects clients to rhythm, sound and own physical and emotional expression.

Session development**

• Partnering work: clients work in pairs (walking hands in hands, supporting partners weight, etc.). This work provides to develop trust with other and myself providing communication and social integration.
• Mirroring interventions i.e. clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• Spatial awareness:
  • Using the circle as a group constellation, participants cross the circle to support participant’s interaction, social interaction, and spatial awareness.
  • Moving freely in space, alone or in pairs, hands in hands or in small groups using i.e. waltz rhythm.
  • Walking in space tapping at someone else’s’ shoulder. Greeting one another. The use of gaze (hold/avoid) and closing eyes it allows self-awareness, mindfulness, self-confidence, social integration, communication and trust.
• Circle dances: reinforces focusing, concentration, group trust, social integration, camaraderie.
• Body awareness: sitting or lying on the floor, imagery work guided by the therapist. Here the therapist works with visualization and storytelling (i.e. Progressive Muscle Relaxation by Jacobson).
• Moving through space with music, changing rhythms, allowing participants to move freely. This allows participants to develop own physical and emotional expression connected to sound and rhythm.

Closure

• Back to breathing.
• Feedback.