Opening Exercise: SECRETS and TRUST
Directions: Everyone in the group
should have something to write with (a pen) and some paper. Also, everyone in
this group should be clearly instructed of the following rule about this
exercise:
Ø
You will not be asked to share any of the secrets you identify
during this group exercise. Please keep this in mind. The secrets you list for
this exercise are for your eyes only.
Everyone
in the group is going to be asked to think about (but not share) three secrets.
This is an exercise about building trust, not sharing secrets. Identify the
following three types of secrets and discuss the questions
Level
1 Basic Secret
- Think of something in your life or your past that is somewhat uncomfortable
or awkward to talk about or it can be something you are just embarrassed (but
not humiliated) by. This would be something that you would tend to share with people
whom you know and trust – Write it down
Discuss:
What are some
situations where you are comfortable sharing basic secrets about yourself?
Some people are by
nature more trusting and open, and others are more guarded and cautious when it
comes to basic secrets. Is it easy or difficult (or somewhere in between) for
you to share basic secrets with others?
Level
2 Moderate Secret
– Now think of a secret that is more than a little uncomfortable, awkward or
embarrassing. Perhaps it is something you feel guilty about, or you are afraid
you might have consequences for if the wrong person found out about it. This
type of secret you might only be inclined to share with your inner circle of
close family members and friends, or with others whom you have built firm trust.
– Write it down
Discuss:
Do you have at least
one person in your life who knows some of your level 2 moderate secrets?
If so, why are you
comfortable sharing these secrets with that person?
How so you feel about
sharing level 2 secrets in this group as appropriate?
What is needed in this group for people to be
able to open up and take risks?
Level
3 Deep Secret
– Now think
of a secret that you really do not want others to know. Perhaps you are the
only person who knows about this or maybe only the most trusted person in your
life. It would require a really high level of trust for you to share this
secret – Write it down if you can. Or if you are unable to, just think
about your secret for now
Discuss:
Without sharing it, how does it feel when you think of a personal deep secret?
(Try to use feeling
words)
What is it like to have
it written down (Or why were you afraid to write it down?) –
You can throw your
paper away at the end
Why might it be
necessary to share some secrets in group therapy when working on substance use
and mental health recovery? How can opening up about some secrets be part of
the healing process?
The Trust Table
Trust
is required to truly open up about who we really are which again can be part of
the positive change and healing process. Building trust consists of four main
factors working together like legs of a table. The four qualities are:
Honesty – Truthfulness,
freedom from deceit or fraud
Loyalty – Faithfulness to
commitments, allegiance, devotion
Consistency – Sticking with
principles and patterns of behavior and performance
Communication – The open interchange
of thoughts, feelings and opinions by speech or writing
Consider
how all four qualities are needed to build trust. For example:
It
is impossible (and foolish) to trust someone who is not honest
If
someone is honest, consistent, and a good communicator but not loyal,
they would still be difficult to trust
If
someone was honest, loyal and a good communicator however if you never could
depend on them or if they kept treating you differently or if they were in and
out of your life unpredictably (all examples of inconsistency) then
trust would be hard. Consistency is needed
Finally,
someone may be honest, loyal & consistent, but if they do not communicate,
we would never know it
How to use the Table of
Trust:
If
you are trying to build trust in a relationship, discuss these four qualities
with your partner and share with one another how you can build on those
qualities
If
building trust in group therapy discuss how the group can increase consistency,
loyalty, honesty and communication
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