Group – Basic Steps Mental Health

Music Therapy

Scott Alpert — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 14:38:35 +0000

Years ago, I learned the value of music in therapy when I was working at an independent living facility. This placement was for young adults with learning disabilities, and when I realized I wasn’t able to make any progress with them, I opted to have some fun singing karaoke. So, I set up the machine, […]

The post Music Therapy appeared first on Basic Steps Mental Health.

Is Boredom a Problem?

Scott Alpert — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 15:36:02 +0000

We do a fun exercise in our Intensive Outpatient Program called “The Wall.” Taken from Pink Floyd’s The Wall, our participants are asked to tell the group what stops them from living a happy and prosperous life. After each participant tells us their problem, we have them bring their chair to the front of the […]

The post Is Boredom a Problem? appeared first on Basic Steps Mental Health.

Special Memory #1

Scott Alpert — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 17:00:42 +0000

Now in my 30th year as a therapist, I thought it would be great to reminisce a bit and share some of the highlights in my career. And no, I don’t want to thank my 3rd grade piano teacher because I didn’t have one. What I will share is my appreciation of the graduate schools, […]

The post Special Memory #1 appeared first on Basic Steps Mental Health.

Taking a Step Back

Scott Alpert — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 18:00:43 +0000

I took a step back today and let my assistant run the intensive outpatient program. I was in the main office and could hear what was going on but needed to back off and let my assistant do her thing, as well as the clients. Letting go of the control was an interesting process. There […]

The post Taking a Step Back appeared first on Basic Steps Mental Health.

The Benefits of Group Therapy

Scott Alpert — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 14:00:35 +0000

I read an article years ago about the top 50 therapy approaches for treatment and could kick myself for not saving it. What I recall was group therapy was in the top five, family therapy in the top ten, number 7 was aversion therapy – like Schick Shadel used to offer before their recent close, […]

The post The Benefits of Group Therapy appeared first on Basic Steps Mental Health.

Me Pleasing

Scott Alpert — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 16:00:19 +0000

Things are back in full swing at Basic Steps Mental Health and the popularity of our IOP program has been steadily increasing. Our IOP program is conducted Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 9:00 am to noon. What is beautiful about the group experience is that I as a therapist don’t have to work as hard […]

The post Me Pleasing appeared first on Basic Steps Mental Health.

A Thank You

Scott Alpert — Wed, 10 May 2023 18:51:26 +0000

Today marked the last work day before my trip to Europe and it was one final push. Doesn’t it always seem that it gets extra busy before you need to leave for something? This was no exception and I found myself doing new assessments and writing out reports well into the evening. Did I complain? […]

The post A Thank You appeared first on Basic Steps Mental Health.

How to Spark Motivation

Scott Alpert — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 20:22:20 +0000

How to get ourselves in motion can be difficult, if you’ve been used to leading a lethargic lifestyle. Simply getting up from the couch and washing the dishes may feel agonizing, when the habit has been watching T.V. or playing a video game. This was the topic of the group this past week. How do […]

The post How to Spark Motivation appeared first on Basic Steps Mental Health.

My Fondest Counseling Memory

Scott Alpert — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 14:00:17 +0000

28 years as a counselor has had its ups and downs. There were scary times at the Mental Health Urgent Care when people who were psychotic got unruly. How can you convince somebody who feels you are in on the government plot against them that you are there to help? Somehow, I managed to do […]

The post My Fondest Counseling Memory appeared first on Basic Steps Mental Health.

Out with the Old

Scott Alpert — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 20:20:41 +0000

Happy New Year to you. It’s time to purge out the old and start anew. Well at least that is the tradition – but why should this only be highlighted in the new year. This could be a daily habit if you think about it. You know, discovering what no longer serves you in your […]

The post Out with the Old appeared first on Basic Steps Mental Health.