ABSTRACT
Because this area is emphasized in many programs, I do not feel the need to elaborate too much on this therapeutic theme. One activity frequently used in day hospitals is cooking. The problem with cooking groups is they sometimes degenerate into recreation (or simply mundane activity) rather than therapeutic activity. The key here, as with all activities, is to make the therapeutic goal paramount and to tailor the milieu in such a way that it serves the therapeutic goal. In this day and age, however, we must refer to therapeutic goals because, as I mentioned earlier, some managed care companies now expect us to relate each patient's participation in the group to his or her specific treatment plan. How, then, can you tailor a cooking group (or any other activity) to meet multiple, individual goals? And what should those goals be?
