Warm-Up: Trust Thermometer

Purpose: Quickly gauge your comfort and trust in the group to set a safe, open atmosphere for today’s session.

Materials: Trust Thermometer visual (printed or projected)

Instructions

1. On a scale from 1 (low trust) to 10 (high trust), silently decide where you are today in terms of feeling safe and open in this group.

   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
   Write your number here: ___
   
   
   

2. In one word or short phrase, jot down why you chose that number (e.g., “I feel heard,” “Still cautious,” “Ready to share”).
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Now, think of one small change or action that could raise your trust level by 2 points today. Write that down in one sentence.
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Go-Around Share: Starting with the person to my left, please share your number and the brief reason for it. If time allows, also mention your idea to boost trust by two points.

Note: There are no right or wrong answers—this is about honest check-in and building a supportive space.

Let’s use this thermometer as our baseline throughout the session to see how we’re growing in trust and safety.

Discussion: Boundaries Brainstorm

Purpose: Collaboratively define and explore personal and group boundaries to foster a respectful, safe counseling environment.

Materials: Boundaries Brainstorm prompt sheet, whiteboard or flipchart

Instructions

1. Begin with a Definition (5 minutes)
   • As a full group, take turns offering a one-sentence definition of “boundary.”
   • Facilitator writes key words on the board (e.g., limits, respect, consent).

2. Small-Group Brainstorm (10 minutes)
   • Break into pairs or trios.
   • On your prompt sheet, discuss and list examples of boundaries in each category below. Leave space to add action steps later.

   Category	Example Boundary	Why It Matters	Action Step to Communicate It
   Physical	______________________________________	__________________________________	_____________________________________
   Emotional	______________________________________	__________________________________	_____________________________________
   Conversational	______________________________________	__________________________________	_____________________________________
   Time/Space	______________________________________	__________________________________	_____________________________________

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Group Share & Synthesis (15 minutes)
   • Each small group shares one boundary example and its action step.
   • Facilitator clusters similar ideas on the board under each category.

   Follow-up Questions:

   • What happens if a boundary is crossed?
   • How might group members kindly hold one another accountable?
   • Which boundary feels hardest to set, and why?

4. Create a Group Boundary Charter (10 minutes)
   • Review the clustered ideas.
   • As a full group, select 5–7 key boundary statements to include in our “Group Boundary Charter.”
   • Write each statement clearly on a flipchart page titled Our Shared Boundaries.

5. Reflection & Commitment (5 minutes)
   • Individually, reflect on which boundary you most need to uphold in this group.
   • Write a brief commitment: “I will ______________ by _________.”

   _________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

Note: Keep our Group Boundary Charter visible in every session. Revisit and revise as needed to ensure everyone feels safe and respected.

Worksheet: Personal Comfort Inventory

Purpose: Reflect on your own comfort levels and identify factors that enhance or detract from your sense of safety in group settings.

Materials: Personal Comfort Inventory worksheet, writing utensil

1. On a scale of 1 (very uncomfortable) to 10 (completely comfortable), how do you feel about sharing in this group today?

   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
   My comfort rating: ___
   
   
   

2. List three factors or conditions that help you feel emotionally safe and supported in a group setting (e.g., clear guidelines, active listening, positive feedback):

   1. _______________________________________________________
      
      
   2. _______________________________________________________
      
      
   3. _______________________________________________________
      
      
      

3. List three factors or conditions that make you feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or hesitant to share in a group (e.g., interruptions, judgment, lack of confidentiality):

   1. _______________________________________________________
      
      
   2. _______________________________________________________
      
      
   3. _______________________________________________________
      
      
      

4. Reflect on a past group experience.
   • Describe one moment when you felt particularly comfortable and what made it so:
   
   
   
   
   
   • Describe one moment when you felt uncomfortable and what contributed to that feeling:
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. Personal Boundary.
   Identify one boundary you want to establish or maintain in this group to protect your emotional safety (e.g., “I will speak only when I feel ready,” “I need a moment of silence before responding”):

   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   

6. Group Support.
   What is one thing you would like the group or facilitator to do to help you feel safer or more supported?

   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   

7. Self-Care Strategy.
   If you start to feel uneasy or anxious in the group, what is one quick self-check or coping strategy you can use (e.g., deep breathing, taking notes, asking for a break)?

   ____________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   

Keep this inventory in mind as we move through our session. Feel free to revisit and adjust your notes as your comfort level evolves.