NRNP 6645 Group Therapy Discussion

In a 3- to 4-page paper, identify the video you selected and address the following: • What group therapy techniques were demonstrated? How well do you believe these techniques were demonstrated? • What evidence from the literature supports the techniques demonstrated? • What did you notice that the therapist did well? • Explain something that you would have handled differently. • What is an insight that you gained from watching the therapist handle the group therapy? • Now imagine you are leading your own group session. How would you go about handling a difficult situation with a disruptive group member? How would you elicit participation in your group? What would you anticipate finding in the different phases of group therapy? What do you see as the benefits and challenges of group therapy? • Support your reasoning with at least three peer-reviewed, evidencebased sources, and explain why each of your supporting sources is considered scholarly. Attach the PDFs of your sources. Group therapy is a type of treatment in which two or more individuals with emotional difficulties are placed in a group that is guided by one or more therapists to assist individual change (Ezhumalai et al., 2018). The video Interpersonal Group Therapy for Addiction Recovery Demonstration illustrates an actual group therapy session. Although this group uses some techniques typical to conduct effective group therapy, there is something that could have been handled differently by the therapist. In the video, a group of people individuals meets based on similarity of having addiction problems. This group therapy technique is known as a “process-oriented” group (Good Therapy, 2019). In this technique, the therapist/s act/s as facilitator/s, the discussion is open, and in this case, the focus is on their common experience of addiction (Good Therapy, 2019). Even though members in group therapy are often strangers to each other, because they have common experiences, they can share these experiences and get feedback (American Group Psychotherapy lOMoARcPSD| Association, n. d.). Feedback from other group members is an important part of the group therapy process. In the video, when Jimmy confesses about stealing his mother’s pain pills, the group members offer high levels of supportive and positive feedback. One of the group members even acknowledges that during his addiction, he also stole from his family, which informs Jimmy that he is not extraordinary. Dr. Irvin Yalom (1995) termed this type of feedback as the therapeutic force known as “universality.” Feedback from group members is vital in the group therapy process. Kivlighan et al. (2020) found that group members who received high levels of positive feedback and low levels of negative feedback held the highest views of group cohesion and significant self-improvement. However, members who received both high levels of positive and negative feedback only held significant views of group cohesion, but had the highest levels of self-improvement (Kivlighan et al., 2020) Nevertheless, when positive and negative feedback were both viewed perceived as low, views on improvement were also low (Kivlighan et al., 2020). Kivlighan et al. (2020) asserts that therapists must find methods to balance feedback so members receive maximum benefit. Another technique used in the video that is commonly used in group therapy is that participants are seated in a circle. This type of seating allows participants to easily connect and prevents anyone from being seated dominant or in a hidden position (Counselman, 2017). One thing that is done correctly in the video group therapy session is there are two therapists, a male, and a female, present in the room. Breeskin (2022) recommends having two therapists in the room for group therapy because it helps maintain a rich therapy experience, prevents cues from being missed, especially nonverbal cues, and it prevents therapist burnout. The two therapists act appropriately as facilitators of the group therapy session encouraging Jimmy to freely express himself. Since Jimmy feels comfortable enough to become vulnerable lOMoARcPSD| and disclose intimate detail about his life, it reflects that group therapy is effective. Jimmy admits that it was after another member shared an intimate aspect of her life, that he became emboldened to share about his life. He also admits that he has not been able to share this detail about his life before because he was ashamed and he did not believe people would not respect him. The group members show him support. As a therapist, I would have emphasized that the disrespect that he feared would happen, did not occur. In this way, Jimmy could have fully understood that the shame he was feeling was a part of his addiction. If Jimmy fails to recognize this point and fails to process the shame appropriately, it could be detrimental to his recovery. Furthermore, the insight I gained from watching this group therapy session is that by the therapists actively allowing the group members to interact with other, the group became cohesive, and the healing process was able to occur. For instance, if Jimmy had not heard Gemma’s story, he may have been unable to be so vulnerable. If I was a therapist leading group therapy and I had a difficult client in the group, I would address the problem with the client as soon as I noticed the difficulty. Sometimes problems with clients can develop slowly. For example, they may start coming in late or become inattentive. Whatever the difficulty that arises it must be addressed with the individual to show that their active participation and understanding are necessary for the therapy process to work. If the difficulty impacts the entire group, I would address the problem with the group, which would help them take ownership of the recovery process. The benefit of group therapy is that group members help each other in a way that is not achieved through individual therapy. Members find that their problems are not unique and witness other members with the same problems succeeding. One member succeeding with recovery means another can do the same. lOMoARcPSD| Even though the group therapy process for addiction is often described as a bunch of people telling addiction war stories, there are therapeutic forces described by Dr. Yalom (1995) such as the Instillation of Hope, Universality, Altruism, Imitative Behavior, Catharsis, and Existential that help the group therapy become a highly effective model for change. Furthermore, Dr. Bruce Tuckman’s (1965) five stages of forming, storming, norming, working, and adjourning enable group therapy to have a relatable framework that any therapist can easily understand and adopt. For example, the forming stage is when a therapist is most active because it is at this stage that the therapist discusses matters such as rules of the group for the conduct, attendance, confidentiality, and participation. Participation is necessary for group therapy to be effective. As a result, I would inform members that this is the place for them to be vulnerable. I would also explain why it is important for them to do so as they attempt to change their addictive behavior. Vulnerability can accomplish healthy expression and processing of emotion, trust, and change (Good Therapy, 2016). In each of the different stages described by Dr. Tuckman, I would expect some resistance from the members. For one thing, this process may be new to group members. Moreover, in groups where the focus is addiction, there may be resistance because individuals recovering from drugs may be not used to being honest and open. The addict behavior controlling them for so long does not necessarily want to relinquish power to recovery behavior. For many group members, it is easy to use drugs, but a chore to deal with the emotions or the pain that surfaces when they are not using drugs has caused them to become addicted to drugs. In no way is group therapy an easy process. Harvard Health (2022) indicates that half of the people who begin group therapy for addiction quit. People who succeed in making it through the group therapy process can look forward to a better life. The challenge for me in leading a lOMoARcPSD| group therapy is assuring that every member has the greatest opportunity to live a life completely free of the negative emotional baggage created in their lives. To ensure group therapy is effective for individuals, I must rely on feedback from every individual in the group through questionnaires, individual consultations, and group discussions. The benefit of group therapy for me, without a doubt, will be witnessing individuals’ lives grow and become better. References American Group Psychotherapy Association. (n. d.)What is group psychotherapy? Breeskin, J. (2022). The co-therapist model in groups. The Society of Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy. /group-psychologist/2013/04/co-therapist?_ga=1...zs Counselman, E. F. (2017). First you put your chairs in a circle: becoming a group therapist. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 67(1), 124-133. Ezhumalai, S., Muralidhar, D., Dhanasekarapandian, R., & Nikketha, B. S. (2018). Group interventions. Indian J Psychiatry, 60(4), S514-S521.