Addictions Recovery Center [ARC] recently had an excellent opportunity to connect with others. On Wednesday, September 2, 2015, Kryston Hartzler, LCSW, LCAC [Clinical Director for ARC] and Yvonne Riege, LCAC were privileged to provide a workshop “Games We [Might] Play” for attendees of the Indiana Annual Recovery Month Symposium [IN-ARMS] in Indianapolis, Indiana. This opportunity came available after Hartzler and Riege submitted a proposal to this organization and then were selected to present.
The tracks that the presenters addressed included addiction, recovery and the special topic of spirituality. Specifically, this hour and a quarter workshop spotlighted the use of games in group [such as Substance Abuse Education or therapy levels such as Intensive Outpatient]. Utilizing Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, Hartzler kicked off the power-point presentation by highlighting Gardner’s nine Multiple Intelligences. She then explained that six of the nine connected to the games offered in the workshop.
ARC utilizes the Courage to Change curriculum for therapy levels and Hartzler believes in allowing counselors creativity in order to utilize this material in the best possible fashion. Therefore, she has not only allowed but encouraged Yvonne Riege to try some non-traditional approaches to help clients share deeply with one another. This has benefited many clients; positive comments were shared openly with those in attendance at the session.
Over 60 counselors, professors, probation officers and professionals in a variety of social service settings listened attentively as well as interacted and shared as the table games of Blockus, Bananagrams, Jenga and Tip-It were spotlighted. Not only were participants able to see ideas on how Riege evokes introspective and reflective thinking, those present were encouraged to share aloud during each game highlighted.
Throughout the presentation, several professionals asked thought-provoking questions. Together Hartzler and Riege answered and provided insight/ideas for further use of games in group. Additional resourcing was provided including two other games: Qwirkle and Storycubes.
It is the hope of these presenters that workshop participants have found helpful and positive ways to encourage introspective sharing in their own work-place settings.
Once the time of sharing wrapped up, several individuals remained to ask their own personal questions or to gain further insight into this concept. Many indicated positive connections they had seen for possibilities in their own professional settings. Together inroads were laid in order to allow more introspective thinking [through games] to happen in group settings around the state.
Addictions Recovery Centers is grateful for this way to share these unique concepts with others. This is the second time Hartzler and Riege have had the opportunity to share about games in group at the state level. In September 2014, the Indiana National Association of Social Workers conference welcomed Hartzler/Riege’s “Games We [Might] Play” leadership as well.
It is the hope of these presenters that workshop participants have found helpful and positive ways to encourage introspective sharing in their own work-place settings.
by Yvonne Riege