Mental Health Activity Groups

Evaluation Group

• Purpose: Assess each member’s skills, limitations, and group interaction behaviors.

• Therapist’s role: Observes and evaluates — minimal intervention.

• Activities: Simple, short, structured tasks that allow observation (e.g., craft, sorting, drawing).

• Example: Members complete a simple project to assess attention, problem-solving, or social interaction.

Task-Oriented Group

• Purpose: Increase clients’ awareness of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as they relate to task performance.

• Focus: On the process, not the end product.

• Activities: Creative, non-pressured tasks (e.g., painting, collage, group project).

• Example: Members discuss emotions or conflicts that arise while completing a task.

Parallel Group

Members work side to side with minimal interaction

Project Group

Members engage in a short-term task that requires some cooperation

Egocentric-Cooperative Group

Members work together on a long-term activity with joint interaction and shared goals

Cooperative Group

Focus on sharing thoughts and feelings; the task is secondary

Mature Group

Members take on various roles and balance task and social-emotional needs

Thematic Group

• Purpose: Develop specific skills or knowledge needed for a particular occupational performance area.

• Example: Cooking group to practice meal preparation, or a social skills group to improve communication for community living.

• Goal: Master the specific skill to improve occupational performance.

Topical Group

Purpose: Discuss and practice skills for specific activities that members engage in outside the group.
Types:

• Anticipatory: Preparing for an upcoming role or experience (e.g., job interviews, discharge planning).

• Concurrent: Discussing current life challenges (e.g., coping with medication side effects).
  Example: A group discussing how to manage social situations after discharge.

Instrumental Groups

• Purpose: Maintain function and quality of life for individuals with chronic illness or disabilities.

• Goal: Support existing skills and provide socialization and enjoyment — not to develop new skills.

• Example: A group of older adults with dementia engaging in music, games, or light crafts.