Hierarchy of Hope Groups
This page illustrates how to use the Hierarchy of Hope (HOH) to conduct various types of groups. These groups, referred to as HOH Groups, work to help clients and students prevent mental health issues from becoming mental health problems by developing and implementing five protective hope factors of mental wellness.
Who Can Benefit from HOH Groups?
DSM Diagnoses
In the midst of a myriad of modern psychosocial stressors (including economic issues, post-pandemic concerns, health challenges, mental health concerns of kids and adults, safety concerns, etc.), these five books can help you regain a sense of Hope when things feel broken around you.
These books use Positive Psychology's Hierarchy of Hope Theory, designed to treat a wide range of DSM-V diagnostic concerns, including:
- depression
- anxiety
- complex PTSD
- pain management
-health concerns
- economic issues
- school and teen stress
- relationship difficulties
- personality disorders
Where are The Groups Conducted?
The Hierarchy of Hope Materials may be used in school settings, outpatient programs, substance abuse treatment centers, and inpatient psychiatric facilities. The books include strategies for staying hopeful:
- after-school traumas
- during times of depression
- during relationship challenges
- during economic difficulties
Set up Your Hope Heals Group
There are several steps in setting up your Hierarchy of Hope Group:
I. Choose The Type of Group
Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy where a small group of individuals with similar experiences or challenges work together under the guidance of a trained therapist. There are various types of group therapy, each with its own focus and goals:
Psychoeducational Groups: Focus on providing information and education about a specific condition or issue, such as depression, anxiety, or substance use.
Skills Development Groups: Aim to teach individuals coping mechanisms, problem-solving skills, and other tools to improve their well-being.
Support Groups: Offer a safe and supportive environment where individuals can share their experiences, connect with others, and receive emotional support.
Relapse Prevention Groups: Focus on helping individuals maintain recovery from substance use disorders or other challenging behaviors.
Peer Support Groups: Led by peers who have similar experiences, providing emotional support and sharing coping strategies.
Self-Help Groups: Run by volunteers or members with shared challenges, offering support and guidance.
II. Set The Stage
Group Arrangement
The following group arrangements are recommended for facilitators conducting group sessions using the card deck.
Room Set-Up
Most facilitators prefer a circular group setting so that participants can see one another and feel equally valued.
Number of participants
The recommended group size is no more than 15 participants. If there are more people in the group, the facilitator can use multiple deck sets and break the participants into smaller groups. Smaller groups allow for greater exploration of the meaning in your life topics.
Getting Started
At the beginning of each session, facilitators should clarify the session goals and provide feedback to group participants at the end of each session.
Facilitator Participation
Facilitators find that participating in the group process can help participants see that many people have similar situations and issues.
III. Use Cards or Reproducible Handouts
Yes, there are five sections, each containing ten cards. The number on the bottom right-hand corner of each card corresponds to the page number in the Discover Meaning in Your Life Workbook. Cards should be shuffled and mixed to avoid repetition of topics. Continue around the group until all players have had at least one turn. See the Purchase Entire Series page to purchase reproducible materials.
The First Session of Your HOH Group
In your first group therapy session, the facilitator will introduce themselves, establish ground rules for a safe environment, and begin with a round-robin or icebreaker for introductions. You'll learn about the group's goals, and the focus will be on building rapport and trust. You are encouraged to participate at your own pace and are not pressured to share more than you are comfortable with.
Things to Discuss with Participants
Before beginning the group, facilitators should emphasize the following to the group participants:
● This group is a safe and comfortable place in which you can discover new ways to create more meaning in your life and improve your mood by increasing your sense of hope.
● In this group, you will gain insight into how to create goals for your future.
● It is essential to support others and receive support from others.
● All participants need to treat each other with respect.
● Information shared in the group is confidential and should not be discussed elsewhere. What’s said in this room stays in this room.
● When mentioning another person in response to a card, use a code name instead of a name. When discussing Lakisha, she may be referred to as a GTP (Great Tennis Player).
● You are not required to respond to a specific card if you are uncomfortable responding to that card. You may choose another card.
Where to begin:
- Introductions: The session will begin with introductions, during which members will share their names and provide some information about themselves.
- Ground Rules: The facilitator will outline the group's expectations, such as confidentiality, respectful communication, and appropriate behavior.
- Goal Setting: You will discuss the overall purpose of the group and individual goals you hope to achieve.
- Icebreakers & Warm-ups: Activities or discussions may be used to ease tension and build comfort among members.
- Skill-Building Exercises: Some sessions may include exercises to develop emotional regulation, communication, and other life skills.
- Support & Feedback: Members will learn to offer supportive listening and constructive feedback to one another.
- Closing: The session will conclude with reflections on what was discussed, future intentions, or key takeaways.
The Second Session of Your HOH Group: Meaning
During the group therapy process, therapists teach clients how to restructure their needs and goals to develop extreme levels of hope. People work to integrate five protective hope habits to build a positive future.
Reproducible workbook activities and Cards are used to teach the five Protective Hope Habits. For information on purchasing the Reproducible Handouts or Card Set, please visit the Resources page.
Meaning in Life
Discover and Create Meaning in Your Life is a complete curriculum empowering professionals to help their clients combat depression and other mental health issues. Recent research suggests that hope and meaning in life are interconnected. Hope is a motivational force guiding people to a sense of purpose and a positive outlook. Hope helps people navigate challenges and barriers by providing a vision for a better future. Similarly, meaning provides a framework to help people understand their purpose. Together, they contribute to overall well-being and a decrease in depression. The Hope Series is a treatment approach based on the pioneering work called the Hierarchy of Hope Theory. Helping individuals find meaning and purpose in life is an effective way to help them improve their mood.
The Third Session of Your HOH Group: Engage
During the group therapy process, therapists teach clients how to restructure their needs and goals to develop extreme levels of hope. People work to integrate five protective hope habits to build a positive future.
Reproducible workbook activities and Cards are used to teach the five Protective Hope Habits. For information on purchasing the Reproducible Handouts or Card Set, please visit the Resources page.
Engage in the Flow of Life
Cultivate Hope and Engagement in Your Life is a comprehensive curriculum designed to empower professionals in helping their clients combat depression. According to recent research, hope is one of the best treatments for depression. Hope enables individuals to quickly overcome low moods by focusing on their future, which can be achieved through engagement in their lives. This hope series is a treatment approach based on pioneering work called the Hierarchy of Hope Theory. Helping individuals engage in their lives is an effective way to improve their mood.
The Fourth Session of Your HOH Group: Accomplishment
During the group therapy process, therapists teach clients how to restructure their needs and goals to develop extreme levels of hope. People work to integrate five protective hope habits to build a positive future.
Reproducible workbook activities and Cards are used to teach the five Protective Hope Habits. For information on purchasing the Reproducible Handouts or Card Set, please visit the Resources page.
Celebrate & Build on Accomplishments
Generate a Sense of Accomplishment in Your Life is a comprehensive curriculum designed to empower professionals to help clients combat depression. Hope and accomplishment are intrinsically linked to fighting depression. For people dealing with depression, hope facilitates the striving toward and achieving goals. Accomplishment, on the other hand, reinforces hope and fosters a positive outlook and belief in one's capabilities. Hope motivates people to believe in their ability to overcome challenges and barriers, leading to a sense of accomplishment.
The Fifth Session of Your HOH Group: Relationships
During the group therapy process, therapists teach clients how to restructure their needs and goals to develop extreme levels of hope. People work to integrate five protective hope habits to build a positive future.
Reproducible workbook activities and Cards are used to teach the five Protective Hope Habits. For information on purchasing the Reproducible Handouts or Card Set, please visit the Resources page.
Build Supportive Relationships
Maintain Positive, Healthy Relationships in Your Life is a comprehensive curriculum designed to empower professionals in guiding participants toward reducing symptoms of depression. According to recent research, depression and relationships influence each other in multifaceted ways. Positive, supportive relationships can act as a buffer to a sad mood and depression symptoms. This can increase hope. Conversely, depression can negatively influence relationship strength and intimacy, leading to greater feelings of sadness. This Hope series is a treatment approach based on pioneering work known as the Hierarchy of Hope Theory. Helping individuals develop and maintain relationships that promote social and emotional intelligence, collaboration, and mutual support is crucial in enhancing people’s moods.
The Sixth Session of Your HOH Group: Control
During the group therapy process, therapists teach clients how to restructure their needs and goals to develop extreme levels of hope. People work to integrate five protective hope habits to build a positive future.
Reproducible workbook activities and Cards are used to teach the five Protective Hope Habits. For information on purchasing the Reproducible Handouts or Card Set, please visit the Resources page.
Build Control Habits
Regain Control in Your Life is a complete curriculum empowering professionals to guide participants in regaining control of their lives when experiencing depression symptoms. Gaining a sense of control significantly improves mood and combats depression. Clients will feel empowered when they learn the necessary skills to take charge of their lives. They will learn to create routines and work toward achieving their goals. This will boost your clients’ mood states and reduce negative thinking, increasing motivation and hope. Engaging in activities that bring a sense of control boosts people's mood and energy levels. Mental illness can make people hopeless and have difficulty seeing their future. One of the best treatments for depression is increasing hope by creating goals and gaining a sense of control. Your clients can attain hope by taking small steps to control various aspects of their lives.