Chapter Activities
Chapter 12
The following are activities to practice and hone you skills.
1. Adolescents will often try to manipulate counselors and break rules. This requires us to be
assertive, consistent, and clear. Break into groups of four—with two being treatment youth, one
being staff, and one observer. Create a scenario where the youth attempts to manipulate the
staff into changing a rule. Let the exercise continue for five minutes. Process what this was like
for each participant.
2. Not all treatment programs have the resources or proximity to provide “fun” activities
illustrated in the text. Break into small groups and come up with a list of 10 low-cost “fun in
sobriety” activities that you could easily incorporate into a treatment program.
3. Think about the time when you were an adolescent. Was there an adult you trusted, one who
could give you honest, sometimes critical feedback that you would really listen to? What were
the qualities and characteristics of this person? Discuss you answers with classmates. Did they
come up with any of the same characteristics? Are these qualities of a good counselor as well?