Taking the Escalator

09/02/2025

New Blog + Worksheet: Tolerating Discomfort – A New Way Forward

Anxiety. Panic. OCD. Health anxiety. These challenges are real—and often misunderstood.

We just released a blog article with a fresh look at tolerating discomfort as a therapeutic skill. This post includes:

🎥 Exclusive member-only video

> A ready-to-use group therapy worksheet

> Practical strategies to apply in clinical or group settings

Help your clients move from avoidance to acceptance, one step at a time. This content is designed for therapists, group leaders, and individuals working through co-occurring issues.

Read it now and access tools for your next session:

Beyond the "Quick Fix" for Anxiety, Panic, and OCDWe’ve all been there—heart racing, chest tight, mind spiraling. Anxiety feels like something we need to escape immediately. And for many of us, especially those in recovery or dealing with co-occurring mental health challenges, discomfort isn’t...

08/26/2025

New Resource Drop: Awkward Moments Happen – But That’s Not the End of the Story

We’ve all had those moments—saying the wrong thing, getting caught in an embarrassing situation, or reacting in a way we later regret. In recovery and treatment, these awkward moments can feel magnified... but they can also be turning points for growth, insight, and connection.

Our latest blog article explores this idea and includes two powerful group therapy tools:

FREE Worksheet: “Awkward” - This engaging, story-driven activity helps clients share awkward experiences, laugh together, and build trust in a group setting. Great for opening sessions and fostering connection.

MEMBERS-ONLY Worksheet: “Awkward Moments – Moving Forward with Resilience” - A deeper dive into coping skills, emotional regulation, and building resilience—tailored for those in recovery.

Both worksheets were created for mental health and addiction professionals working in group settings, IOP, or individual sessions.

🔗 Get the free worksheet and read the full article here:

We’ve all been there—an autocorrect fail, an unexpected noise in a silent room, or that moment when you wave enthusiastically at a stranger who wasn’t waving at you. These awkward moments are part of being human. But in recovery, they can feel amplified. A simple slip-up might trigger self-dou...

08/19/2025

How can therapists and group facilitators help clients navigate stress and emotional triggers? By fostering mindful self-awareness. Our newest article provides actionable tools for noticing thoughts and feelings without judgment and practicing reflective responses. Perfect for group therapy exercises, these strategies promote emotional regulation, healthier choices, and stronger interpersonal skills.

"Self-awareness is the first step toward self-improvement." Life can be unpredictable. Sometimes bad things happen because of injustice, the actions of others, problems in the world, or simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. These are external factors that may be in a large part beyond o...

08/13/2025

New Resource: Validation – The Value of Understanding

When people feel understood, they open up.

When they feel dismissed, they shut down.

Our new group therapy material explores the skills behind validation—listening deeply, acknowledging perspectives, and building connection.

Stronger relationships. Less conflict. Healthier decisions. Learn more and put these skills to work today.

“You are not required to set yourself on fire to keep others warm.” – AnonymousValidation is the act of recognizing and acknowledging someone’s feelings, thoughts, or behaviors as understandable, and meaningful. It does not need to involve always agreeing with a person’s perspective but ra...

08/05/2025

New Resource: Obstacles and Opportunities
Recovery isn’t about avoiding obstacles—it’s about developing the mindset and tools to face them. This new worksheet helps group participants explore real-life challenges and discover opportunities for growth.
✅ Obstacle & Opportunity Cards
✅ Insight-based reflection prompts
✅ Ideal for IOP and outpatient settings
Full worksheet available to Taking the Escalator site members, with a free preview available for all visitors.

Introduction: Everyone faces obstacles, but when we’re trying to recover and change, those obstacles can feel staggering and sometimes even impossible. At times it’s fear. Other times, it’s a lack of support, low motivation, not enough confidence, or simply feeling overwhelmed. The truth is: o...

07/29/2025

New Group Activity: Now Hiring… Your Future Self

Clients fill out a mock job application for a more balanced life—highlighting strengths, goals, and growth areas. It’s creative, flexible, and always starts great conversations.

Taking the Escalator Members can download the full worksheet and guide. -

Now Hiring: My Future Self (A Recovery-Focused Group Therapy Activity)Help your clients apply to "get hired" for the life they truly wantAt Taking the Escalator, we’re always looking for creative, engaging ways to help clients reflect, connect, and grow. Our newest group activity puts a playful tw...

07/22/2025

New Worksheet: My Museum – Exhibits and Artifacts from My Life
This creative group therapy activity helps participants explore their story by imagining their life as a museum. It’s designed to spark self-expression, insight, and connection — all in a fun, non-threatening way.

Great for mental health and substance use groups. Get the resource here: https://www.takingtheescalator.com/post/my-museum-exhibits-and-artifacts-from-my-life

This is self-awareness and group cohesion-building activity designed to encourage self-expression, connection, and personal sharing. It helps group members get to know one another while opening the door to meaningful reflection and healing through shared experiences.“Your life is your museum. Ever...

07/15/2025

New Worksheet Release – From Escape to Empowerment: Breaking the Cycle of Self-Medication

Self-medication isn’t always about the feeling - For many, it starts as a way to manage something deeper—anxiety, trauma, depression, or stress. But what starts as relief can become a trap.

Our new Self-Medication Worksheet helps individuals and groups:
✔️ Understand what self-medication really looks like (beyond substances)
✔️ Identify the emotional root causes behind it
✔️ Explore coping strategies across four key areas: physical, emotional, creative, and soothing
✔️ Take small, realistic steps toward healthier and more empowering habits

Whether you’re a clinician, case manager, peer support specialist, or group facilitator—this resource is designed to promote insight, motivation, and positive change.

View or download now:

When Coping Goes Off CourseSometimes it starts off harmless. A few drinks after work to unwind. A hit, a pill, or a line here and there to "take the edge off." A little something to push away the anxiety, the sadness, the thoughts we can’t shake even if just for a little while. It can just feel li...

07/08/2025

New Resource: Our Most-Viewed Video Now Has a Companion Worksheet

Addiction and the Brain: Insights from Dr. Erin Zerbo is our most-watched video—and for good reason. Dr. Zerbo delivers clear, compassionate, evidence-based insight into the neuroscience of addiction and the power of empathy in treatment.

Now, we've expanded this resource with a brand-new worksheet designed to guide clinical discussion, group therapy, and individual reflection.

This companion tool brings the content to life by exploring key themes like brain health, stigma, recovery support, and the role of compassion in healing.

Read the full article and access the worksheet here:

Our Most Popular Video Just Got Even BetterDr. Erin Zerbo’s powerful interview on addiction, recovery, and compassion has earned its place as the most-watched video we've ever released—and for good reason. Dr. Zerbo brings extraordinary insight, clarity, and heart to a complex topic, and her per...

07/06/2025

Internship Opportunity – Marketing Support for Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Website - Part-Time | Remote | Portfolio-Building Experience

I’m looking to connect with a marketing or communications student (or recent grad) who’s ready to gain real-world digital experience with an established mental health and addiction recovery platform.

About Me:
I’m a clinical social worker and addiction counselor with over 30 years in the field—and I’ve supervised hundreds of interns. I run TakingTheEscalator.com, a nationally recognized resource for therapists, group facilitators, and people in recovery. The site just transitioned to a paid membership model, and now I’m looking to build engagement, expand digital reach, and add some creativity to the mix.

What I’m Offering:
• Hands-on experience and mentorship in a meaningful niche
• A flexible 5–8 hour/week role that works around your schedule
• The chance to build your portfolio with visible, real-world results
• Possibility of commission or even paid position in the future for the right fit

You Might Be a Fit If You:
• Have strong writing and communication skills
• Know your way around social media strategy or content marketing
• Have interest or experience in video editing and marketing (YouTube, reels, short-form clips, etc.)
• Are self-motivated, reliable, and open to learning
• Appreciate content related to mental health, recovery, or social impact

Sample Projects Might Include:
• Creating and scheduling social posts for LinkedIn, Facebook, or Pinterest
• Assisting with video content editing, repurposing, or promotion
• Organizing a newsletter or supporting email campaign efforts
• Helping modernize or repackage existing content

If you’re a student looking for credit or a recent grad building your portfolio, let’s talk. This is a chance to do meaningful work that helps people—while building skills that employers value.
Message me on Facebook In or email me at: [email protected]

07/01/2025

New Worksheet: Season Survival
Every season brings unique emotional and behavioral challenges—especially for those managing mental health, recovery, or trauma-related issues.
This guided worksheet helps individuals identify seasonal triggers, develop coping strategies, and stay grounded through seasonal highs and lows.
Download now:
https://www.takingtheescalator.com/post/season-survival-a-guided-worksheet-for-navigating-the-highs-and-lows-of-any-season

Seasons bring change: some welcome, some challenging. This worksheet helps explore how specific seasons may affect mental health, substance use, or overall well-being. Whether it's Winter's isolation, Summer's unstructured time, or the pressure and family drama that can be associated with the Holida...

06/25/2025

Upcoming Live Seminars – Included with Premium Membership

These exclusive live Zoom seminars are part of the Taking the Escalator Premium Membership—designed to support your clinical growth with practical tools, real-world strategies, and engaging discussion. If you’re not yet a Premium Member, now’s a great time to join and gain access to these valuable learning opportunities. Premium Membership also includes access to recordings and outlines/PowerPoints

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These exclusive live Zoom seminars are part of the Taking the Escalator Premium Membership—designed to support your clinical growth with practical tools, real-world strategies, and engaging discussion. If you’re not yet a Premium Member, now’s a great time to join and gain access to these valu...