Franca Barone

Activity Title: Trust Circle

Source:
CTRS, C. D. (n.d.). Trust Circle. Retrieved March 10, 2018, from
https://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/txextrst.htm

PTSD: National Center for PTSD. (2007, January 01). Retrieved March 10, 2018, from
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/family/ptsd-and-relationships.asp

Equipment Needed: People, group size of 8-10 per group

Activity Description:
1. Form groups of 7 or more.
2. Form a circle with the participants facing inward and shoulders touching and one participant
stand in the middle with their arms crossed and legs straight and stiff.
3. Those forming the circle must stand with one leg forward and the other backward with their
knees bent. Their hands must be in a ready position to catch the person in the middle from
falling.
4. Before falling, the group may develop a list of rules or behaviors that will not be permitted.
For example, hard pushes, no fooling around, keep hands up and eyes focused. The group
may also demonstrate positive expected behaviors. For example, you’re doing good, stay
focused, good job)
5. The participant in the middle can decide to close their eyes or not. When they are ready and
the group is ready, the person in the middle is instructed to fall.
6. The outside group catches the person and gently guides them back to the center of the circle.
(At least 4-6 hands should be on the participant falling)
7. If the middle participant is scared, bring the group closer. Once comfortable, the group can
move a step back.
8. Participant keeps falling, having the group be alert at all times.
9. Once this participant falls no more than 5 times, a participant from the group takes the place
of the participant in the middle, and the participant in the middle goes to the outside group.
10. This continues until all participants have had a turn in the middle.
11. Debriefing: Discuss feelings felt by the falling individuals. Were they scared? Did they trust
the group? What things did group members do that reinforced feelings and thoughts of trust?
What things did group members do that generated feelings and thoughts of mistrust? What
are things we can do in our lives to generate feelings of trust in others? What have you done
in your live that generated trust/mistrust?
Primary Interaction Patterns: This activity would fall under Intragroup because it is an action of a
cooperative nature by 2 or more persons intent upon reaching a mutual goal. The participant in
the middle has to trust they will be caught and the group has to catch them, making trust in the
fall and catch be a common goal by all.

Adaptation: I decided to adapt this activity to those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder (PTSD). Trauma survivors with PTSD may have trouble with their close family
relationships or friendships. The symptoms of PTSD can cause problems with trust, closeness,
communication, and problem solving. These problems may affect the way the survivor acts with
others. In turn, the way a loved one responds to him or her affects the trauma survivor. A circular
pattern can develop that may sometimes harm relationships. This activity can help children and
adults suffering from PTSD to build trust, problem solve, connect with others, and improve
social skills in their daily life. Strict safety behaviors must be put into place. Also, this activity
should be done on a mat.

*Important Note: As we discussed in class, all components for this activity should be taught first
in a series of sessions to each individual. Then, it should be done in groups of two. You cannot
complete this activity before knowing and understanding the safety protocol.