What is RIO?
RIO is a 2-week program that aims to assist you:
- Manage stress, anxiety. and other emotions productively.
- Learn mindfulness skills that can have a positive impact in the classroom and in your relationships.
- Identify what's most important to you and prioritize accordingly.
Why does RIO use a 2-meeting model?
Teaching RIO over the course of two programs allows you sufficient time to understand the concepts with time to practice in between meetings. Keeping it to two weeks allows you to find time in your busy schedule to learn these skills. If you find that you want more time to build the skills in the model, you may complete RIO again.
Why do I have to do homework?
The focus of this program is on building skills; in order to successfully build skills, regular practice is essential. The more you practice, the more you may find you get out of of RIO. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences in doing at-home practices.
What if I didn’t do my homework?
We strongly recommend completing the homework. The students who report the most benefit from this group are the ones that are able to practice between sessions and beyond. But, if you are unable to complete an assignment, we encourage you to come to your next scheduled workshop anyway.
What if I don’t feel comfortable in group situations?
This is a common concern. RIO is structured and curriculum-driven like in a classroom. You may find that you feel comfortable enough to share some of your experiences in the programs; this allows all the participants to learn and support one another. However, you are not required to speak beyond what you feel comfortable doing so. You can still benefit from the information presented. The workshop leaders respect each participant’s right to disclose (or not) and never require you to share sensitive or potentially embarrassing information about yourself.
What if I have an urgent need to see a counselor during this workshop?
Simply let one of the facilitators know and they will help you get the help you need.
What if I have a problem that’s hard to define?
This is one of the ways RIO can be particularly helpful. Because it is designed to get you better in touch with your own experiences and goals, this workshop may help you define what it is you are looking for.
What if I have a mood disorder that is probably the result of a biochemical irregularity?
Even with an identified mood disorder, such as Major Depression or Bipolar Disorder, change-oriented approaches can be very helpful. Improving our ability to recognize our experiences will enhance our ability to identify mood episodes. The earlier someone with a mood disorder is able to accurately determine when a mood episode is happening, the more efficiently that person can be at managing that mood episode. Plus, research suggests that various psychotherapies change the brain in positive ways, even when there is a biochemical irregularity.
What if I am a survivor of a traumatic event?
While no one can change events that have already happened, we can learn to become more aware of how these experience impact us today. We can learn to listen to the stories we tell ourselves about what happened, the evaluations that we might apply to ourselves or others, the feelings and bodily sensations associated with what happened, and how our behaviors and actions have been affected. By staying true to our experiences instead of trying to control our thoughts, feelings, and sensations, we can often achieve a more fulfilling life, even in the face of traumatic events.
What if I want to get to the origin or “root” of my problem?
Many people believe that if we only knew the root cause of our problems then we would have the solution to the problem. Although it is true that our behaviors (including thoughts and feelings) are related to our experiences, it is not necessarily true that just identifying the root cause guarantees our current behaviors will change. If you feel that getting to the origins of your concerns is essential for your change process, we can recommend a variety of alternative options, including referrals to mental health providers that specialize in this type of therapy.