From a group for adolescents in The Mount Sinai Hospital's Child Psychiatry Unit using the theme of creating their own personal CD.

After a warm up using well-known rappers' names in a rapid-fire verbal game that focused everyone on the group process itself, each member of the group began creating his own CD by beginning with the cover design - a detailed description of its title and graphics - elicited sensitively by CANY group leaders John Rainer and Sarah Douglas picking up on the slightest overture made by the individual boys. The boys were instantly engaged in the metaphoric expression that is at the heart of the CANY methodology. One title had to do with "Pouring Water on a Drowning Man," another, with "Getting the Money," a third, with "Sticking to It." After each boy had created a title, John asked each one in turn for the words that would shape their CD - one line from one of their songs. Slowly the work of the group progressed as each boy's CD took shape.

While this primary focus of the group was taking place the usual adolescent banter - often barbed - was a constant undercurrent. The conscious work of the group could continue once the unconscious anxiety had been adddressed. "Am I safe in here" "Can I trust these people to keep me safe?" The idea of respect for one another and the need for a feeling of safety to be present within the group was spoken of.

The work continued - smoothly, and with real focus. The boys were attentive, and the work moved them to a place of cooperative effort as each one engaged with the group as a whole, using group members to create the tableau of his CD cover. They helped one another to enact their stories - taking them outside of their own story for a moment and connecting to the reality of other stories as well. One member acted as a photographer in each tableau, while each boy was encouraged to convey through his expression just the right feeling he wanted to convey with his own project, encouraging the potential for introspection and at the same time a comunal experience.

Two painfully self-conscious boys, who found it hard to remain still in their seats, were addressed through their participation in the work and gently guided - without any hint of judgement - to fully participate appropriately - a lesson in being able to participate, despite feelings of never "belonging."

The final task was for each boy (as now successful producers of their own million-selling CD's) to offer sage words of advice to his fans. Each boy offered wise and heart-felt advice - advice that they are often offered, but rarely have the opportunity to offer to others, giving them the experience of what they, too, have to offer the world.

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