Constructive Patterns
Time: This is a five-day course. Each daily session lasts 50 minutes. Attendance: This course consists of five clients and one counselor. For this course to contribute to Coping Mechanisms Certification, all five days of the course must be attended in sequence.
Day One will focus on the difference between constructive and destructive pattern behavior. For instance, at what point does cleaning or washing shift from being a beneficial or cathartic behavior into a destructive and stress-inducing behavior? Day Two will move forward from identifying destructive habits into a personal cataloging for each individual of their own destructive habits. Each client will be asked to list their destructive habits and select one from the list to focus on for the course. The course counselor will outline various positive coping skills for universally destructive behavior, as well as discuss common yet ineffective go-to coping mechanisms which are to be avoided. Day Three will consist of deep discussion of behaviors that are physically destructive. This portion of the course will challenge clients to shift outside any perceived superficial comfort zone and to endeavor to understand the ways that different destructive patterns have similarities, psychologically. Topics included in this session will include trichotillomania, excoriation, self-medicating, and O-C cleaning. Genetic ties to these behaviors will be discussed. Day Four will consist of actively exploring and practicing coping mechanisms. Clients will focus on self-aware behavior, non-shaming self-talk, affirmations, and positive personal reward tiers. Day Five will be a group share. Clients will be encouraged to share openly and honestly to encourage non-shaming and personal pride.
This course contributes to the Iuroquae completion certificate in the vein of Coping Mechanisms. Clients will attain a comprehension of how destructive behaviors, which may have roots in genetic predispositions, may be challenged and surmounted through constructive patterns.
