many clients with substance abuse histories have grown up in homes that provided little protection,
safety, and support, the leader should be responsive and affirming, rather than distant or judgmental.
The leader should recognize that group members have a high level of vulnerability and are in need of
support, particularly in the early stage of treatment. A discussion of other essential characteristics for a
group leader follows. Above all, it is important for the leader of any group to understand that he or she is
responsible for making a series of choices as the group progresses. The leader chooses how much
leadership to exercise, how to structure the group, when to intervene, how to effect a successful
intervention, how to manage the group’s collective anxiety, and the means of resolving numerous other
issues. Group facilitators can emphasize the reality of constancy and security through a variety of specific
behaviors. For example, group leaders always should sit in the same place in the group. Leaders also
need to respond consistently to particular behaviors. They should maintain clear and consistent
boundaries, such as specific start and end times, standards for comportment, and ground rules for
speaking. Even dress matters. The setting and type of group will help determine appropriate dress, but
whatever the group leader chooses to wear, some predictability is desirable throughout the group
experience. The group leader should not come dressed in a suit and tie one day and in blue jeans the
next. Group leaders should be able to trust others.
Group therapy with clients who have histories of substance abuse or dependence requires active,
responsive leaders who keep the group lively and on task, and ensure that members are engaged
continuously and meaningfully with each other. Leaders, however, should not make themselves the
center of attention. Cotherapy, also called coleadership, is extremely powerful when carried out skillfully
A recovery center can be run by paid staff, by a team of volunteers, or a combination of both. This is tied
in to how and if you are funded, and your community’s commitment to volunteerism. It may be hard to
find volunteers who can make a full time commitment, so having at least one full time paid staff person
ca Honor the agency mission: The mission of is to live out our faith by providing a continuum of
evidence-based services for women and them families impacted by addiction, mental illness, trauma
and/or incarceration.
· Consistently treat residents and co-workers with the utmost respect.
· Keep ALL information regarding staff, residents, diagnosis, group information,
etc. confidential at all times.
· Work as a necessary part of the team effort.
· Model ethical and professional behavior at all times.
· Participate in ongoing meetings and trainings as required by the leadership
· Be creative and assist leadership with ideas for improving the overall quality of
the services and environment for the residents.
· Encourage core values at all times.n be a real asset.
Program Director
Program Manager
Resident Manager
Resident Assistant
Counselor
Bible Study leader
12 step Mentor
Mentors
Sponsors
Volunteers
there are characteristics that make for a good leader. I found these in a book on support groups by Linda
Klein (2000): (1) someone who likes being with people, (2) someone with good verbal skills who can
engage people and create group interaction, (3) someone who understands group dynamics, (4)
someone who is organized and can create group structure, (5) someone who is a good listener and can
accept differences without bias, (6) someone who can question and summarize to build group
discussion, (7) someone able to resolve group conflict, (8) someone with a sense of humor, (9) someone
committed to the value of peer support.
New members can be recruited from a variety of sources: halfway
houses, substance abuse or mental health service providers,
correctional facilities, civic organizations, wellness and community
health centers, community hangouts – in short, wherever people in
recovery ARE.
Training: Life skills training , Leadership training, Communication training
Suggested Application Process:
1) Welcome and tour (can be done by a volunteer greeter). Show the
prospective person around, offer them coffee or water, find out how they
heard about your program.
2) Application Form
For members, this form can be short and simple. It would include
contact information, how they heard about your project, and maybe a
question about what types of support/activities they are interested in
being a part of. For a sample member application, click here (link). For
volunteers, add questions about their interests, skills, and what they
bring to the project. For a sample volunteer application, click here (link).
3) Meeting with Volunteer/Member Coordinator
This is a chance to go over more details and to become acquainted with
each other. This meeting might involve going over your center’s rules and
protocol, asking and answering questions, going over volunteer
opportunities and expectations, signing additional forms, etc.
4) Group Orientation
You will want a chance to go over the bigger picture – how you fit into the
community, your parent organization, rules and regulations, your ethics
guidelines, grievance procedure, etc. This is also a chance for new
members and volunteers to get to know each other and ask questions.
