Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Therapy for Addiction Essay Paper

Please see the attached videos to watch and then write a paper on.
To prepare:
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- to 3-page paper, address the following:

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

Please include a conclusion paragraph

Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Group Therapy for Addiction

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

A review of the case details reveals that it is seven psychotherapy sessions for members of the Levy family. There are elements within the sessions showing that the facilitator is applying psychoanalysis as the psychotherapy approach. Firstly, the interactions in the sessions appear focused on changing the problematic behaviors, feelings and thoughts presented by the family members by discovering their meanings and unconscious motivations. Secondly, the facility has a close working relationship with the family members. This has allowed the family members to learn about themselves and explore their family interactions within a controlled environment where the facilitator acts as a mediator. Thirdly, the objective of the therapy is to release the repressed emotions and experiences. This creates a cathartic experience that helps the family members to improve their interactions. Fourthly, the facilitator assumes that the noted symptoms are unconsciously presented by the family members, and that their underlying causes are repressed. If the symptoms are left unaddressed they would turn from reduced symptoms into necrotic symptoms. Finally, the facilitator discloses very little about her personal information thereby remaining as a ‘blank screen’ that does not interfere with the family (Garland, 2019). As a result, the group facilitator is using psychoanalysis.

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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.

Psychoanalysis is appropriate for the Levy family case. That is because it focuses on resolving the underlying symptoms and conflict even as it encourages the family members to develop meanings for the presented symptoms and insight into behaviors (Garland, 2019). While psychoanalysis is appropriate for the case, a more appropriate psychotherapy approach is existential therapy. This is a humanistic therapy approach that emphasizes the capacity of the family members to develop to their maximum potential even as they make rational choices. Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Therapy for Addiction Essay Paper  In applying existential therapy approach, the facilitator would exhibit concern and respect for the family members. This therapy approach would help the family members to search for freewill, self-determination and meaning. In the Levy family case, applying this psychotherapy approach entails focusing on the addiction as a problem and its underlying causes. This is important as it would help the family to develop an understand of Mr. Levy’s post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and confront it as the reality. Also, it would help in confronting the PTSD as the root cause of Mr. Levy’s addiction. Besides that, this understanding would help in contextualizing the symptoms of depression and anxiety as presented, even as they are linked to the alcohol consumption that is used as a coping mechanism (van Deurzen et al., 2019).

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

Besides group therapy, individual therapy would also be appropriate. This would be targeted at Mr. Levy to address his addiction and PTSD. Individual therapy is appropriate since it would address Mr. Levy’s mental and emotional needs even as his unique emotions and thoughts are recognized. It offers insight into the root cause of the PTSD and addiction. Additionally, this approach is useful for helping him to function by keeping the alcoholism and PTSD triggers at bay and helping him to successfully navigate social situations (Najavits, 2017).

Conclusion

One must accept there are a range of psychotherapy approaches available for use in providing care to families. One of these approaches is psychoanalysis that focuses on changing problematic behaviors, develops close relationships, releases oppressed emotions, and allows the facilitator to remain a ‘blank screen’. Although psychoanalysis is shown to be appropriate for the Levy family, existential therapy would be a more appropriate approach. That is because existential therapy enables the family members to develop to their maximum potential even as they make rational choices. Other than group therapy, individual therapy would be appropriate for the family as it would focus attention on the individual concerns that may not necessarily be addressed within group therapy sessions.

References

Garland, C. (2019). The Groups Book: Psychoanalytic Group Therapy: Principles and Practice. Taylor & Francis Group.

Najavits, L. M. (2017). Recovery from Trauma, Addiction, Or Both: Strategies for Finding Your Best Self. The Guilford Press.

van Deurzen, E., Craig, E., Langle, A., Schneider, K., Tantam, D., & du Plock, S. (Eds.) (2019). The Wiley World Handbook of Existential Therapy. Wiley Blackwell.  Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Therapy for Addiction Essay Paper