Review this week’s Learning Resources and reflect on the insights they provide on group therapy for addiction.
View the media, Levy Family: Sessions 1-7, and consider the psychotherapeutic approaches being used.
The Assignment
In a 2 page paper, address the following:

Identify the psychotherapeutic approach that the group facilitator is using and explain why she might be using this approach—use supportive psychotherapy
Determine whether or not you would use the same psychotherapeutic approach if you were the counselor facilitating this group and justify your decision.
Identify an alternative approach to group therapy for addiction and explain why it is an appropriate option.
Support your position with evidence-based literature.

Nursing Psychotherapy Prac 6650

Identify the psychotherapeutic approach that the group facilitator is using and explain why she might be using this approach

The group facility is using supportive psychotherapy approach. That is because the interactions in the sessions show that the aim is to improve symptoms and restore/improve skills and self-esteem. In this case, the facilitator has applied the approach to examine relationships and patterns of emotional behavior and response. In addition, supportive therapy is evident in the therapeutic alliance between the facilitator and the family members who believe that the facility is aligned with their goals, has respect for them, and holds them in positive regard (Novalis, Singer & Peele, 2020).  Nursing Psychotherapy Essay Discussion Paper

The facilitator appears to be using supportive psychotherapy because of four reasons. Firstly, it allows for a good psychotherapist alliance between the facilitator and clients, and this is a strong predictor of good outcomes from the therapy. Secondly, it exists solely to meet the needs of the clients. It allows the facilitator to have gratification from a job well done and professional satisfaction, and not from the clients being an audience or their gratitude from their problems being addressed. Thirdly, planning a supportive psychotherapy considers what the clients seek to accomplish, thus ensuring that these goals are achieved at the end of the therapy. Finally, it ensures that boundaries are set and observed with the facilitator staying within the professional role. The facilitator does not advice the clients what to do as these are personal/private opinions. The facilitator can have friendly interactions with the clients, but cannot be friends with them (Novalis, Singer & Peele, 2020).

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Determine whether or not you would use the same psychotherapeutic approach if you were the counselor facilitating this group and justify your decision.

Supportive psychotherapy is appropriate for the Levy family. However, strategic family therapy approach would be a more appropriate alternative. The strategic family therapy approach is more direct and brief, and involves the facilitator assigning homework to the family members with the intention of changing how they interact with each other by assessing and adjusting the way in which they communicate and make decisions. The facilitator adopts a position of power in the therapy thereby allowing the family members with less authority and power the opportunities to communicate more effectively. This therapy approach is advantageous since it does not conduct an in-depth emotional exploration, assigns homework, direct approach, teaches problem-solving for future use, encourages change based on awareness, and believes that change can occur quickly (Szapocznik & Hervis, 2020).

Identify an alternative approach to group therapy for addiction and explain why it is an appropriate option.

An alternative to group therapy is individual therapy. This is an appropriate option because it offers seven advantages over group therapy. Firstly, it allows the client to arrange time for the therapy sessions. This means that the client can select a time that is more conducive to the personal schedule. Secondly, it allows the client to develop self-awareness by discussing issues and getting feedback from the facilitator. Thirdly, it allows for a strong relationship between the therapist and client, and this is a key component of successful therapy intervention. Fourthly, the pace of the therapy can be tailored to the specific needs of the client. This means that therapy can be slowed down for clients who move more slowly and need time to adjust, or it can be speeded up for clients who can handle intense and more focused interventions. Fifthly, it allows for a much more comprehensive and intense level of analysis and treatment. Sixthly, it ensures that the client receives one-on-one attention so that the specific problems are more thoroughly understood and individualized approach used. Finally, it ensures that confidentiality is easily maintained (Areán, 2015).

Conclusion

The review of the Levy family case reveals that supportive psychotherapy approach has been applied. This is evidenced by the good alliance, needs of clients are met, considers what the clients seek to achieve, and sets and observes boundaries. Although supportive psychotherapy is shown to be appropriate for the Levy family, strategic family therapy would be a more appropriate approach since it is more direct, brief, assigns homework, improves interaction, teaches problem-solving for future use, encourages change based on awareness, and believes that change can occur quickly. Other than group therapy, individual therapy would be appropriate for the family as it is flexible, improves self-awareness, improves relationships, controls pace of therapy, allows for comprehensive treatment, offers one-on-one attention, and ensures confidentiality is maintained.

References

Areán, P. A. (2015). Treatment of Late-life Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, and Substance Abuse. American Psychiatric Association Publishing.

Novalis, P. N., Singer, V., & Peele, R. (2020). Clinical Manual of Supportive Psychotherapy (2^nd ed.). American Psychiatric Association Publishing.

Szapocznik, J., & Hervis, O. E. (2020). Brief Strategic Family Therapy. American Psychiatric Association Publishing.  Nursing Psychotherapy Essay Discussion Paper