trauma group ideas

Group therapy can be a deeply healing part of trauma informed work. Group therapy activities and exercise can help build trust and support participants process their trauma in a safe, supportive environment. Below are some activities to bring to group therapy based on principles of trauma-informed care, which prioritize safety, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.

1. Safe Space Mapping

This exercise helps participants identify their "safe space" both internally and externally. Ask each participant to draw a map of a place where they feel completely safe—whether it’s a real place (a childhood home, a favorite park) or a peaceful imagined space. Encourage participants to describe the details of their safe space, including what they see, hear, and feel. Once everyone has finished their maps, invite the group to share and discuss the significance of their chosen spaces. This exercise allows participants to reconnect with feelings of safety and grounding and can be used as a reference during moments of anxiety or distress.

2. Mindful Movement and Grounding

Incorporating movement can help participants release stored tension and reconnect with their bodies. Lead the group through simple grounding exercises, such as "tree poses" (standing with arms raised like branches) or slow, intentional stretching. Focus on mindfulness by having participants pay attention to their breathing, physical sensations, and any emotions that arise as they move. This activity helps build awareness of the present moment, promote relaxation, and reduce the hyperarousal often associated with trauma. This exercise can be paired with a debriefing conversation to explore the emotions or physical sensations that surfaced during the activity.

3. The "I Am" Exercise

This activity fosters self-compassion and personal empowerment by helping participants reflect on their strengths and values. Ask each participant to complete the sentence "I am..." with words or phrases that reflect positive aspects of their identity—such as “I am resilient,” “I am a survivor,” or “I am kind.” Encourage participants to reflect on these qualities and write them down in a journal. Afterward, create a group affirmation circle where participants take turns reading their "I am" statements aloud. This activity can help individuals reconnect with their sense of self-worth and resilience, especially after trauma has affected their self-esteem.

4. Trauma Timeline

A trauma timeline is a visual tool that allows participants to map out significant events in their lives, including traumatic and non-traumatic experiences. Participants can create a timeline using markers, colored pencils, and paper, placing key moments along the line in chronological order. For trauma survivors, it can be helpful to mark events as positive, neutral, or negative using different colors. This activity can facilitate insight into how trauma has shaped their lives and highlight moments of strength and resilience. Following the exercise, allow time for group discussion, focusing on how participants have coped with trauma and the strengths they have developed through adversity.

5. Storytelling Through Art

Art-based storytelling helps individuals express emotions and experiences that may be difficult to put into words. Provide participants with art supplies (colored pencils, markers, paper, or clay) and ask them to create a piece of art that represents a specific aspect of their trauma or healing journey. This could be an image of how they see themselves before, during, or after the trauma, or it could represent a feeling they are currently working through. Afterward, allow group members to share their artwork and explain its meaning. This creative outlet allows participants to process difficult emotions in a nonverbal way, which can be especially powerful for those who struggle with verbal expression of their trauma.

6. The Healing Tree

In this group exercise, participants create a visual representation of their personal healing process through a "healing tree." On a large piece of paper or whiteboard, draw a tree with roots, a trunk, and branches. The roots symbolize foundational aspects of their healing, such as support systems (family, therapy, friends). The trunk represents their core strength, resilience, and the tools they use to stay grounded. The branches symbolize their ongoing healing journey, with leaves or flowers representing growth, recovery, and new skills. Participants can add to the tree over time, reflecting on their progress in therapy. This exercise helps visualize the recovery process and reminds individuals of their growth and resilience.

7. Safe Touch Exercise

Trauma can make individuals feel disconnected from their bodies, and physical touch may sometimes be triggering. This exercise helps build a sense of control over physical sensations. Ask each group member to hold a small object, like a soft ball or fabric swatch, and ask them to explore the texture, weight, and feel of it. Over time, the group can practice simple touch exercises where participants have the option to either touch or avoid physical objects in the room (such as holding hands with a partner, placing a hand on their chest, or gently tapping their feet on the floor). This can be a gentle introduction to self-soothing through touch, with a focus on personal choice and safety.

8. Gratitude Jar

This exercise promotes healing by shifting focus toward positive moments, even in the midst of trauma. In the beginning of each group session, have a "gratitude jar" in the center of the room. Ask participants to write down something they are grateful for or a positive experience from the week and place it in the jar. At the end of the session, read aloud some of the notes (without identifying the writer). This encourages participants to recognize moments of joy and connection and can help build hope during difficult times. Gratitude practices can support emotional resilience and increase a sense of agency and empowerment.

9. Compassionate Letter Writing

Writing a letter to oneself or to a "younger self" can be a powerful way to cultivate self-compassion. Ask participants to write a letter to themselves as if they were comforting a close friend or family member. They should offer words of encouragement, love, and understanding about their experiences, acknowledging both the trauma and their resilience. Once they have completed the letter, they can choose to share it with the group or keep it for themselves. This exercise helps participants shift from self-blame and guilt to self-compassion and self-care, which are vital for healing from trauma.

10. The "Support Circle"

In this exercise, participants form a circle and take turns sharing something they feel grateful for, something they are struggling with, or a goal they are working towards. After each person shares, the group responds with supportive affirmations like “You are not alone,” “You are strong,” or “We are here for you.” This activity promotes group cohesion, trust, and emotional support while emphasizing the importance of a supportive network in the healing process.

*Citations:

• Herman, J. L. (1997). Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence--From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror. Basic Books.

• van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Penguin Books.

• Ford, J. D., & Courtois, C. A. (2013). Treatment of Complex Trauma: A Sequenced, Relationship-Based Approach. The Guilford Press.*