Title card for group therapy activities for holidays with family, featuring stylized people interacting.

Adult Group Therapy Activities for Holidays with Family

In This Blog, You’ll Learn

• 6 Holiday Group Therapy Activities

• Why family holidays can trigger emotional stress
• Signs holiday dynamics are impacting your wellbeing
• Myths and facts about holiday expectations
• Adult group therapy activities for grounding and emotional safety
• Tools and worksheets to use in groups or private practice
• How to explore therapy options like family therapy near me
• Holiday activity resources and expanded FAQs
• How Mountains Therapy supports your emotional wellbeing

Holiday Activities: How to Facilitate Each

1. Holiday Triggers Map

How to Play:

• Give each participant a worksheet divided into four sections: People, Places, Traditions, Expectations.
• Ask everyone to write down anything in each category that brings up stress or emotional activation.
• Invite participants to circle the strongest or most frequent triggers.
• Allow group members to share insights if comfortable.
• Ask them to choose one trigger they want to understand more deeply.

Goal: Increase self-awareness and reduce reactivity.

Connected therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

2. Boundary-Setting Role Play

How to Play:

• Pair participants or form small groups.
• Provide scenario cards such as handling intrusive questions, declining invitations, or leaving early.
• One person plays themselves and the other plays a family member.
• Practice simple boundary phrases such as:
“I’m not comfortable discussing that.”
“I can only stay for a short visit.”
“I need a moment to reset.”
• Switch roles so each person practices.
• End with reflection about what felt empowering or challenging.

Goal: Build boundary confidence and reduce guilt.

Connected therapy: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

3. Emotional Load Inventory

How to Play:

• Provide a worksheet titled What I Carry, What I Was Taught, What I Can Release.
• Participants write down emotional responsibilities and pressures they feel during the holidays.
• Invite reflection on where these expectations originated.
• Ask each person to star one emotional load they want to release this season.
• Allow group sharing to build connection.

Goal: Release unnecessary pressure and clarify emotional needs.

Connected therapy: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

4. Holiday Coping Skills Circle

How to Play:
• Form a circle, seated or virtual.
• Ask a grounding prompt: “What helps you feel calm when things get overwhelming?”
• Each participant shares a coping skill such as breathing, journaling, sensory tools, or quiet breaks.
• Create a collective list that can be turned into a resource sheet.
• Invite each person to pick two or three skills to try during the holidays.

Goal: Build a personalized coping toolkit.

Connected therapy: Mindfulness Based Therapy

5. Values-Based Holiday Planning (ACT-Informed)

How to Play:
• Give participants a values list including connection, rest, honesty, authenticity, or traditions.
• Ask them to choose their top five holiday values.
• Then list holiday activities or expectations that align with or conflict with their values.
• Encourage each participant to choose one value-aligned action to take this season.
• Invite optional group reflection.

Goal: Reduce guilt and increase intentional choices.

Connected therapy: Solution Focused Therapy (SFT)

6. “I’m Not Alone” Closing Round

How to Play:
• Ask participants to reflect on the session.
• Go around the circle and have each person complete the sentence: “I’m not alone in…”
• Keep sharing simple and supportive.
• Close with a grounding breath or moment of silence.

Goal: Strengthen connection and reduce shame.

Connected therapy: Attachment Based Therapy

Understanding Adult Group Therapy for the Holidays

Family holidays often carry emotional complexity. While many people hope for warm, connected gatherings, the reality can include stress, pressure, or old family patterns resurfacing. Adults often feel responsible for managing emotions, smoothing conflict, or maintaining traditions even when it feels heavy. This is when many people explore resources like family therapy, family therapy activities, family therapy books, and searches for family therapy near me to feel more grounded. Group therapy offers a supportive, nonjudgmental place to unpack these experiences.

Common reflections include:

“I feel responsible for everyone’s mood.”
“I want peace, but the pressure is overwhelming.”
“The holidays bring up old wounds.”
“I love my family, but I leave gatherings exhausted.”

Signs the Holidays Are Affecting Your Mental Health

• Feeling anxious or overwhelmed
• Emotional flashbacks or old patterns resurfacing
• Guilt when setting boundaries
• Feeling responsible for others’ reactions
• Emotional exhaustion afterward
• Avoiding gatherings
• Struggling to stay present

Myths vs. Facts

Myth: Holidays should be perfect.
Fact: Perfection increases pressure and emotional burnout.
Myth: Setting boundaries is selfish.
Fact: Boundaries protect emotional wellness.
Myth: Other families have it all together.
Fact: Most families have complex dynamics.
Myth: Feeling stressed means something is wrong with you.
Fact: Stress is a normal response to emotional labor and expectations.

How Therapy Helps With Holiday Stress

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Helps identify emotional needs and build secure connections.

Gottman Method Couples Therapy

Useful for couples navigating extended family stress.

Narrative Therapy

Reframes painful family stories and empowers new meaning.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Examines long-standing family patterns triggered during holidays.

Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF CBT)

Supports adults with trauma triggers tied to family or holidays.

FAQs

Do I need previous therapy experience?
No. Group therapy welcomes all experience levels.
Is online group therapy effective?
Yes. Many adults find online sessions more comfortable and accessible.
Can therapy help with long-term family conflict?
Yes. Therapy builds insight, boundaries, and emotional regulation.
Are there resources to explore at home?
Many adults use family therapy websites, family therapy techniques pdf, or family therapy types to deepen understanding.
What are the best apps for holiday games?
Jackbox, Psych, and Houseparty work well for all ages.
Where can I find printable holiday games?
Etsy, Pinterest, Teachers Pay Teachers, and Canva offer printable templates.
Where can I buy holiday board games?
Amazon, Target, Walmart, and local bookstores.
What if my family needs more support?
Mountains Therapy provides compassionate, trauma informed support.
Are there therapy resources online?
Yes. People often explore family therapy books, family therapy show, and family therapy training.
How do I host a virtual holiday game night?
Use Zoom, Google Meet, Discord, or streaming platforms.

How Mountains Therapy Supports You During the Holiday Season

If you’re exploring family therapy near me, holiday group therapy, or emotional support, Mountains Therapy offers a warm, grounding environment.

Our Services

• Individual Therapy in Montclair, NJ
• Couples Therapy in Montclair, NJ
• Marriage Counseling in Montclair, NJ
• Family Counseling in Montclair, NJ
• Online Therapy in NJ, NC, FL, and UT
• In person Therapy in Montclair, NJ

How We Help

• Build confident boundaries
• Navigate old family patterns
• Reduce emotional burnout
• Improve communication
• Strengthen holiday coping skills
• Process grief or trauma
• Create new, healthier traditions

Start Therapy Today

You deserve grounding, clarity, and emotional support during the holidays and throughout the year. Working with a therapist who understands complex family dynamics can help you feel more centered, confident, and supported as you navigate this season. When you’re ready, we’re here to help.

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