Skills training groups on a psychiatric intensive care unit: A guide for group leaders

This paper outlines a structured group intervention for use in a locked acute psychiatric intensive care environment. This intervention, described in manualized form, draws upon the empirically validated psychosocial skills training approach for the rehabilitation of individuals with chronic mental illness (cf. Liberman et al., 1993). The first section discusses general principles for conducting skills training groups in the acute psychiatric population, including practical strategies for encouraging patients to attend group, group structure, rules, and process. The second part of the paper outlines seven specific skills training modules that provide concrete, step-by-step instructions for conducting groups on such topics as anger management, communication skills, coping with mental illness, and relapse prevention. The reader is invited to critically evaluate, modify, and expand upon the materials presented in order to better serve this challenging population.