Groups
Clinical majors include several courses consisting of a variety of classes. Similar to a college in which all classes are not taught every term. New Lifestyles regularly modifies its class offerings to match the interests and needs of the current student population. The following list contains some examples of clinically oriented classes.
Interpersonal Skills
A therapeutic group designed to process relationship issues often similar to those of the family of origin with housemates, to discuss household maintenance problems, and to establish community building skills. In addition, the group fosters cooperative living, creative problem solving, and healthy communication.
Anger Management
A psycho-educational class where students learn skills and techniques to manage their anger. Students gain an understanding of anger, why people get angry, internal and external triggers, and the physiological impact of anger, In addition, students learn alternative actions to deal with various situations that pertain to anger and develop goals to more effectively manage anger.
Bibliotherapy
Bibliotherapy is conducted as a discussion group in which students are challenged to articulate opinions and personal experiences in relation to readings in classical literature. The process focuses on the skills of reading carefully, listening attentively, and to practicing mature group discourse. In particular students learn how to listen to those with whom they disagree, to accept criticism and correction appropriately, and to make their private experiences available to others for comment and elaboration.
Selections for discussion have included excerpts from:
- Homer: The Iliad: Hecter and Adromache
- Aristotle: The Physics
- Hobbes: Leviathan
- St. Augustine of Hippo: The Confessions
- Plato: The Republic
- Darwin: The Origin of Species
- William James: The Will to Believe
- Kafka: Passers-by
Body Image Group
A therapeutic group where students meet to discuss body image and how it relates to their self-esteem. Students learn cognitive-behavioral strategies to improve body image as well as work toward greater acceptance of themselves.
Cinematherapy Group
A therapeutic group where students watch film clips to explore metaphors, plots and characters from certain movies. Group exploration of films aids in increased understanding of emotional issues, self-reflection, finding new ways of thinking and feeling, reinforcing themes introduced in therapy and identifying and reinforcing hope and inner strength.
