Check-In Cheat Sheet
Most
counselors start group with a check in of some kind. This is a good practice
because it helps everyone in the group to give a basic status report which can
set the tone for the rest of the group, whatever the topic may be. It is even a
good idea to do a check in during individual therapy as well as the counselor
can use the check in period to review progress toward treatment plan goals and
objectives.
A
standard check in a substance use treatment program (with rolling
admission and new members regularly) may consist of something like this:
1)
What is your name?
2)
Why are you here? (Why are you in this
program – what brought you here?)
3)
What was/were your substances of choice?
4)
Have you used anything since last session
– If so, what?
5)
Briefly, how are you today? (Include any
coexisting issues current being worked on in group as well as any co-occurring
mental health symptoms or disorders if applicable)
A
lot of counselors like to add an item 6) to this list which would be a
thought-provoking ice breaker question of some kind. The purpose would be to
get the group ready for sharing and expressing personal views, thoughts and
feelings. Below is an extensive list of ice breaker questions that you, as a
counselor/clinician or group leader, can choose from to add in an icebreaker to
the check in:
What is one thing that you are grateful for today?
What is one goal that you have for this program
today?
What is one thing (not substance related) that you
do for fun?
What is one of your best memories of the last week?
How do you create more balance in your life?
What is one thing that is going right for you right
now?
If you could go one place anywhere on earth this
weekend for free where would you go?
What is one lesson you will never forget?
What is your favorite food?
What is your favorite color?
Who can you look for to get support in your life
right now?
Who is one thing about one person that you would like
to imitate in your life?
Who is one person, alive or dead, famous or not,
who you find to be inspiring?
What is one thing from childhood that is a positive
lesson that you would pass on to others?
Who is one person you love and why?
If you could wish something good to happen to one
person today who would it be?
What is one thing that keeps you going every day?
If you could be famous for something what would you
choose?
In what way are you different than most people?
What is one thing that you can say good about
yourself today?
What is one positive thought that you can share
with the group today?
What animal are you like and why?
If you could witness one past event firsthand which
one would you pick?
If you could change one thing about yourself what
would you pick?
If you could change one thing about the world what
would you choose?
Who or what is something you would label as
“amazing” and why?
What is one thing that will be happening in your
life when you feel like you are on your way to achieving your goals
What is one thing that you feel like you deserve?
What is one thing you feel like you could give up
and never look back?
What is one aspect of inner beauty in your opinion
What is something that gets you energized
emotionally in a positive way
If you had the time and resources for one year to
work on any project, what would you pick?
What is a simple thing that makes you happy?
What is one thing in the last week that made you
smile?
You get to choose one unhealthy food and make it
healthy which one does you choose?
What is one thing that you have learned in life
about relationships?
What is one thing that you are unusually good at?
What is one thing that others may find boring, but
you find interesting?
What is one thing that you feel like more people
should know about?
If you ruled the world for one day, what is one
thing that you would do?
What is a line in a book, movie, or song that you
really like?
What is one of your favorite sayings? (Even if you
don’t know it word for word – paraphrase)
Who or what do you feel like helps you feel inner
strength?
What is one thing you do when you feel you need
courage?
Where is one place that you can go to feel good for
a little while every now and then?
What is one thing that you find to be good, that
doesn’t cost anything?
What is one act of kindness you have done for
someone?
What is one act of kindness from your past that you
won’t ever forget?
If you could know the definite answer to one of
life’s mysteries which one would you choose?
What is one thing that is worth the time and effort
to you?
What is one thing that you could explain to others
like an expert (or close to it)
What is a fact that you know that a lot of people
do not?
Who is one of the most interesting people you have
ever met?
What is one thing in life that you consider to be a
“treat”
Who is one person who has been loyal in your life?
What is something that you have been doing for most
of your life?
Who is your longest friendship?
What is one unusual positive thing that you
experienced?
What is one experience you had which you would
consider “a win”
What is one amazing idea you have had in your life
(even if you never did anything about it)
What is a well-kept secret in this world?
What is one place that you know so well you could
just about map it out from memory?
What is one of the most peaceful non drug related
experiences you have ever had?
What is something you are proud to have let go of?
What is one (appropriate to discuss) thing that you
like to think about when you daydream?
What is one memory that you still can laugh about?
Who is the most successful person you know
personally and why?
What is one short story of bravery that stands out
to you?
What helps you to keep from quitting?
What is one thing that you find to be amusing?
Who or what is something or someone you have
compassion for?
If you had just a little more courage, what would
you try?
What is one of the best decisions you have ever
made?
What is something creative you have done?
What is one area of focus for you in life right
now?
Who or what is something/someone you have faith in?
What makes someone a good person in your opinion?
What is one thing you have no problem being honest
about?
What is one thing from your imagination you are
willing to share?
Who is someone who has been kind to you in your
life?
What is one thing that you are passionate about?
What is one thing you would describe as “powerful”?
What is one practical tip that can help someone get
through a tough week?
What is one thing you have done that was romantic?
What is an area that you are very understanding
about?
What makes someone tough in your opinion?
What is something witty you can share with the
group?
What is one adventure you would like to go one?
Who or what is something you find it easy to have
affection for?
What is a situation that you have a lot of empathy
for?
What is something some did for you that was
generous?
What is one invention this world needs?
What is something sensible you have heard in your
life?
What is something that you would describe as awesome?
After a job interview, what is one positive person
the interviewer should say about you?
What brings you joy?
What is adorable to you and what is deplorable?
What is one thing that you are confident that you
could say from the heart?
Who or what has been a positive influence in your
life?
How have you been a positive influence on someone
else?
How do you relax?
What is something small that you appreciate?
What is one area of life that you have organized?
What is a topic you enjoy discussing (and why)?
What is one quality that you have that could make
you a leader?
What is one area you feel self-confidence about?
What is something that you are a lot better at now
than you used to be?
What is something that you achieved that you may
not have believed you would when you were younger?
How are you still like yourself when you were a
child?
What is one area which you have grown or matured
in?
What is one thing you have seen that you would
describe as beautiful?
What brings you comfort?
What is one thing you are curious about?
What is worth fighting for in life?
What brings harmony to people’s lives?
What is one thing you are motivated about today?
What is one thing that helps you be resilient?
If there was one app you could invent to make your
life easier what would it be?
If someone made a movie of your life, what would
they call it?
What is one thing that you want to know more about?
What are three words that describe you?
What is one thing that you strive to do on a daily
basis?
What is one way that past failure was a learning
experience for you?
How can you still find happiness even when you are
bored or lonely?
What is something unique about you?
When are you happiest?
What is a recent accomplishment you’ve experienced?
What are three qualities of successful people in
your opinion?
Besides luck, why do people succeed, what are some
of the difference makers?
How would you describe your attitude toward why you
are here?
What is an example in your life where you have
refused to quit?
What are three things on your bucket list?
What are three habits that would improve your life?
What does a good relationship look like to you?
What is one thing worth waiting for?
What is one of your favorite memories?
What is your favorite thing about being you?
What would be your idea of paradise?
Why does love mean nothing to a tennis player?
Fill in the blank options:
It’s time to quit when _____
It would be a dream come true if ____
The day I find out _____ is when I will finally
____
If I only could _____ a little better, then I would
finally _____
The key to being able to ______ is to first learn
not to _____
I have heard them say that ____ is true, but if you
ask me, I would say _____
The only thing better than _____ is ______
More people would be friendly if ______
People could say I am versatile because I can do
____ and ____
People would say I am a hard worker if they could
see me ____
My intuition often tells me _____ but still I end
up _____
Sometimes I ____ just to ____
I want to say thank you to ____ for _____
I feel that I don’t judge others for ____ because
____
People can depend on me for ____
One area of life that I am decisive is ____
I am determined not to ____ at this point in my
life
One thing that I need to get through today is ____
If I had the time and the money, I would ___
I would much rather ____once than ____ a dozen
times
You will know I have made it finally when I ____
If I could build up the courage, I would____
Rating Scale Check in Options –
- START WITH: “Using a scale of 0 to 10” …
How would you rate your current overall progress?
How satisfied are you right now with where you are
in life?
How important is sobriety to you right now?
How confident that you will one day realize your
goals?
How likely are you to successfully complete this
program?
How good of a day are you expecting to have today
in this program?
How would you rate how your morning went so far?
How excited are you for the weekend, any why?
How easily influenced are you by others?
How strong of a person do you feel you are?
What was the strongest love you ever felt?
How focused on success are you right now in your
life?
How important is it to you that you get regular exercise?
How creative are you?
How motivated are you at this point in your life?
How important to you is it to be self-aware?
How productive have you been this week?
How comfortable are you with your life?
How patient of a person are you?
How much do you need the internet?
How good is your imagination?
How positive is your attitude?
How dedicated are you at this point in life?
How resilient of a person are you?
How hard of an effort do you put in on most days?
Where are you in “the process”?
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