The SECOND Outside-the-Box Recovery Workbook
Illustrated, Fun, and Professional Handouts for Drug Counselors and Their Clients
A book by Dr. Kim Rosenthal
Here’s what clinicians are saying about the SECOND OTB Recovery Workbook:
“I stumbled on Dr. Rosenthal’s website a couple years ago. The therapists in our group looooovvee the handouts and use them with regularity. The owner of the company loved it so much that she purchased a book for each of the offices under her tutelage…” – Sheri Cannon, LPN
“I absolutely love OTB! I have handed out worksheets as individual assignments for someone to work on if they are struggling in a certain area. They grab my clients’ interest immediately, and their laughter breaks down walls…” – Karin Kaufmann, ARS, ACIT, CAPRC-II
“I love the concept of this book. I’m able to photocopy worksheet pages for my clients then provide them with coloring pencils to use in conjunction with the work in the handout. This is a great and valuable resource!” – Lisa Ackland, LLMSW, DP-CAADC
Early recovery is hard work. Quitting takes enormous effort, and there’s rarely a welcome committee waiting. Problems always crop up. Emotions run crazy. Families are hurt and hypercritical. Joy is hard to find, and when frustration or anger is your friend, sobriety lacks that “get relief now” button. By the time people reach a counselor’s door, they have one major question: Is recovery worth it?
Awash with illustrations, cartoons, and a pinch of the comical, this workbook fills a growing need for evidence-based treatment that embraces creativity and fun. Why creativity and fun? The answer is simple: Creativity helps people process meaningful or difficult issues in a safe way, and fun brings joy to often turbulent lives. In fact, studies show that combining creativity and fun with regular treatment promotes treatment retention and reduces relapse rates!
Written for drug counselors and people in early recovery, the SECOND OTB takes the reader on a fresh 25-session journey into the world of early recovery, using poetry, expressive writing, puzzles, communication with the future, and humor to enhance relapse prevention.
Life isn’t a joke. The book walks along providers and clients during the difficult moments, offering a unique, friendly, and creative approach to challenging tasks. Together we figure out how to survive the devastation of addiction. We smile a bit and seek joy too. There’s room for play, even silliness. Recovery isn’t always filled with humor, but we need it, don’t we?
Despite the tragedies, there’s hope. Over time, clients do find delight in who they are, what they surround themselves with, and a future filled with potential — if only they reach for it. This workbook stays with you and your clients as they embark on this journey.
Sample sheets
FAQ's
I have a copy of the FIRST OTB Book. Apart from the fabulous title, how is the SECOND OTB different?
Good question. Like the FIRST book, this one explores the reader’s relationship with their substance use disorder and reasons for pursuing recovery. It houses the basic framework of relapse prevention and CBT. However, the SECOND book was inspired by the Matrix Model, encompassing topics like coping & social skills, assertive communication, and remembering one’s self-worth. Clients will also learn more about gratitude, mindfulness, journaling, making a schedule, honesty, limit-setting, and replacing drugs with the good (healthy) stuff.
As a provider, how can I incorporate these worksheets into my practice?
There is a lengthy section in the back (Appendix B) featuring an overview of the book, plus recommendations, discussion ideas, examples, and references for each worksheet. In general, the handouts are good for individual and group therapy; one topic per session, although some can be split into two sessions. Click on “Take a Peek” below to see a preview and the Table of Contents.
Why don’t you publish something new and exciting, like Outside-the-Box Karate or Outside-the-Box Cartesion Philosophy?
It’s tempting. So far I’ve experimented with Outside-the-Box Spanish in Seven Days, Outside-the-Box Dating Dictionary, and Outside-the-Box String Theory, but my family and friends tell me to keep my day job. My latest is Outside-the-Box All Confessions Told. I’m sorta afraid to publish that one. Anyway, I’ll work on karate and Descartes and get back to you!
