[OliversTwisted94]

Wow..... I am SO massively nervous for Tuesday. On Tuesday, I start a day-treatment program- every day from 8 am- 3 pm.
I'm a little worried- I do a really great interview (if I do say so myself )
and from what the case manager who was doing my interview said, I made a great impression. (I mean, obviously- It took me, like, two weeks to get into a busy program ). He was talking about how they were looking forward to my "insight, intellect and attitude".
He said I was one of the very few young people to be willing to work on the themselves, and that this level of maturity will be great for the group. He was even excited to have me in his group (which is a plus, in and of itself..... he is FI~NE Nothing like a little eye-candy to sweeten a girl's day )

ANYWAY, I am really excited about starting the program....... but I'm worried that they might be thinking too highly of me. I was really trying hard in that interview..... but I don't know if I can maintain that level of effort for the entire time I was there. I don't want to let them down on the very first day..... but I saw the group I'm going to be with, and I think I'm going to stick out like a sore thumb. During the interview, there was a kid being dragged out by the cops
I might be older and more mature, but when it comes to helping others- especially kids like this, who are just troubled as me but in a different way- I don't know if I can offer them the help that they are deserving of. I know the point is to get ME better; but I want to feel worthy of THEIR help by giving something back.

I'm so scared that I'm going to get there, and start the program, and then fail miserably. I want to help myself, but I want to help others too. Any advice about how to approach an adolescent group therapy session?????

My experience with adolescent group therapy was horrible so my advice is partial.

I am worried the environment may cause harm, especially if you have never been exposed to extreme behavior and delinquency.

To survive, my suggestion is to focus on your issues. If you are a sensitive and caring type of individual, do not take on the problems of other attendees. Develop some boundaries as you become familiar with the program. Stick to them.

If you discover the group is not helping, let the administrators know.

Just be you! Don't worry about fulfilling expectations and being a role model. I don't think they are expecting any of this from you. Focus on getting better.

I refuse group therapy and if forced to sit in the room I will not speak!

It is crap in my opinion.

[sunrise]

You're not supposed to "offer the other patients the help they may be deserving of." That's not your role, the organizers of the program will not be expecting you to do this, and in fact might take you aside and ask you to desist if you act like a junior staff member. So, focus on your self, be yourself, and try not to worry so much. You can sit back the first day, see how the groups run, and take your cue from that on how to behave and contribute. Perhaps you would find it useful to write down a couple of goals you have for yourself in the program, e.g. "by the end of this program, I would like to be able to _______." If it turns out the group is too acute for you (with lots of patients being dragged out by police, restrained, etc.), then let the organizers know it is not a good fit. Good luck. I hope you will find the program helpful.

[adel34]

I'm in a day program right now myself, but it's not for adolescents or young adults specifically, although there are some people my age there.
I agree with what others have said that it's not about impressing anyone, or helping the other clients. You're there for you. You're there because you're having a hard time in your life right now. I'm sure no one is expecting you to be perfect or insightful all the time. Just try to be yourself and take care of yourself.

[OliversTwisted94]

Thanks you guys
I know that it is a really small group (I think he said 10 kids, with me). I know he warned me that there was some delinquent behavior.... but he said that it didn't happen THAT often. I know that I will be the oldest in the group at 18, almost 19 years old; and the case manager who interviewed me said that he was looking forward to my insight and maturity, because there were a lot of kids who didn't care or try to help themselves. I know he isn't looking for me to do the staff's job...... but I am just worried that I won't do well with the other kids. Either way, I have mellowed out a lot and taken a liking to the idea of group. I just hope that I am able to benefit from it.....
Anyway, from the groups I have been in before, I have gotten the idea that it's more of a "support thing"- that is, not to guide others, but offer your experience and thoughts so that they might think about it in another light. I just don't want to be the sullen one, sitting in a corner and not socializing (even if I want to be that person, and I feel sullen and depressed). When I was in the hospital, I was that person..... and I always got lectured about how being so anti-social isn't good for my mental health (even if it's what I like).

If this group does not work out, you can try finding one with more mature clients who are fairly stable and motivated to get better. You are an adult now so you don't have to attend programs for youth.

I hope you can learn (something positive) from this group.