Madison Makarewicz-Korey

Activity:
Dance Your Worries Away

Sources:
Harris-Ray, N. (n.d.). Group Therapy Activities for Adults. Retrieved from
https://addiction.lovetoknow.com/addiction-recovery-interviews/group-therapy-activities-
adults

Post-Stroke Conditions. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.stroke.org/we-can-

help/survivors/stroke-recovery/post-stroke-conditions/

Equipment Needed:
1. Paper
2. Writing Utensils
3. Something to play music on

Activity Description:
1. Appoint a musician/DJ.
2. Prior to playing, have participants list favorite songs of different genres and give it to the
DJ.
3. Next, participants list errors, trials, or problems in their lives on paper. Each participant
should list the same number of issues (decided beforehand by the therapist: 5, 10, etc).
4. The DJ randomly chooses songs from the participant lists, and participants then dance
along to the music until it mentions a word or problem on the list.
5. Participants then cross out the problem, like in bingo, and dance harder.
6. The person who "dances away" all of their problems first is the winner and continues to
dance through other participant's problems as a fun way of showing support.

Primary Interaction Pattern:

This activity would be considered as multilateral. All of the players want to cross off the words
on their list, but there is no single person as an antagonist. This is great for groups of adults
because it provides understanding, coping, support, and relief to many.

Adaptations:
After a stroke, an individual may experience cognition difficulties. The process of thinking and
remembering can become challenging. To make this activity easier, the therapist could print out
the lyrics so they can see the actual words while dancing. The therapist can also talk to the
client and help them figure out what errors, trials, or problems on their list.