This exercise is meant to assist group members in understanding the concept of power.  This exercise will also offer the therapist an opportunity to determine who has the perceived power in the group, how group members perceive their power and assist group members in moving forward in their treatment.  Depending on the dynamic of the group this exercise can be completed in different ways.

What you will need
Clear small container (pill bottle or 35mm film holder)
Glitter or confetti

For a group that has developed trust:
Have group members place their bottle in front of them on the floor.  Distribute glitter to each container, filling the container about ¼ full.   The next part of the exercise is redistributing the glitter.  It is here that the therapist can evaluate group dynamics and assist group members in moving out of Victimstance.  Below are some directions that can be given.  There is no particular order in which to give the orders, the order will depend on the goal of the therapist.  Group members take turns.  The directions below are examples for each group member.

Take glitter from one group member and give glitter to another group member.
Take glitter from two group members and give glitter to one other group member.
Take glitter from three group members.  Do not give glitter to anyone.  (This is for the youth struggling with feeling victimized or not welcomed into the group)
Give glitter to two other group members.
Give glitter to three other group members. (This can assess where the alliances are)

The numbers above are random and can be changed to accommodate your group.  Another version would be instead of using numbers use group members names.   By directing the group member who to take from and give to will assist those who feel powerless and to direct those who feel they have power.

After the exercise the group can discuss how it felt when someone took their glitter without permission, how did it feel to not give away any glitter?  Inform the group that the glitter in the bottle is their power and no one can take it from them.  This can be demonstrated by asking a group member to hand you their glitter bottle, most will at first.  Hand it back and remind them that they just handed over their power.  Request it again, with emphasizes when they refuse.  Remind them that others will try and take their power but only they can decide if they want to give it away.  Inform them that when they said “Joe made me mad.” they just gave their power to Joe.  Can Joe be annoying?, maybe, could he be trying to make you anger?, yes however, each person decides how they will respond.  People don’t like to feel powerless, so this is a great demonstration to discuss how people will try and take our power but we do not have to give our power up.

For a group that is newly formed:
Have group members place their bottle in front of them on the floor.  Distribute glitter to each container, filling the container about ¼ full.   The next part of the exercise is redistributing the glitter.  It is here that the therapist can assist in forming trust in the group.  Below are some directions that can be given.  There is no particular order in which to give the orders, the order will depend on the goal of the therapist.  Group members take turns.  The directions below are examples for each group member.

Take glitter from group member A and give glitter to group member B.
Take glitter from group members C and D and give glitter to group member E.
Take glitter from group members F, G, and H.  Do not give glitter to anyone. 
Give glitter to group members K, and L.
Give glitter to group members M, N and P.

By directing the group member who to take from and give to will assist those who feel powerless and to direct those who feel they have power.

The discussion will focus on how each felt when glitter was taken from them, or when they gave glitter to others.  Focus on statements group members have made in the past, such as “Joe made me mad.”  Inform the group that people may try to make you made, but you decide how you want to respond.  The glitter is their power and the next time they say “Joe made me mad.”, simply put out your hand and request their power, since they gave it up. 

For groups in an inpatient setting have the clients carry their power with them, and do random power checks. During the day when you see them ask them if they have their power.  This will remind them that they have the power to decide how they will respond in a situation.

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