Psychotherapy with Multiple Modalities Essay Paper
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, evidence-based sources, and explain why each of your supporting sources is considered scholarly. Attach the PDFs of your sources.
Psychotherapy with Multiple Modalities
What group therapy techniques were demonstrated? How well do you believe these techniques were demonstrated?
The case is for an interpersonal group therapy session for addiction recovery demonstrating a model of relapse prevention (Cats Cats, 2016). The case demonstrates two group therapy techniques. Firstly, it demonstrates a targeted style of dialogue in which each member participates when called upon. The therapists have a specific plan for the session that they use to direct the clients to make disclosures (Bertrando & Lini, 2021). Secondly, it applies motivation-boosting techniques to increase participation as the therapist explores the choices and consequences with the client, and the group members offer support to the client for change efforts. Forced disclosures as the client (Jimmy) is asked leading questions that ignore his remorse and discomfiture, but allow him to open up (Al Ubaidi, 2017).
What evidence from the literature supports the techniques demonstrated?
The three group therapy techniques that have been identified are supported by literature. Firstly, targeted style of dialogue is supported by Bertrando and Lini (2021), explaining that this is an appropriate technique for avoiding a free-form dialogue style in which each group member participates as they see fit. Secondly, motivation boosting is supported by Al Ubaidi (2017) explaining that this allows for client-centered counseling that is goal directed to reduce resistance and increase desire for change. Psychotherapy with Multiple Modalities Essay Paper
What did you notice that the therapist did well?
There are four things that the therapist did well. Firstly, the therapist made good use of interpersonal skills to allow the clients to express themselves and open up. This is seen when the therapist opens up by asking Jimmy to go on. Secondly, the therapist was not judgmental as the client was not condemned even when it appeared that he had made a mistake by stealing from family members. This allowed the client to open up and trust the therapist. Thirdly, there was consistency in the therapy approach, and this allowed the clients to keep pace with the session. Fourthly, the therapist was self-aware and did not bring any of her issues into the session. In fact, she separated her issues from those of the client thus ensuring that the therapist was in control of the session (Garland, 2019).
Explain something that you would have handled differently.
There are two things that could be handled differently. Firstly, there is a need to establish a therapeutic alliance with the client. This would make the client feel that the therapist cares about his goals and is willing to work with the client to set goals that can be achieved. Secondly, there is a need to provide an explanation for some of what the client felt, so that his understanding and willingness to change would shift according to the way in which the therapy session unfolds (Garland, 2019).
What is an insight that you gained from watching the therapist handle the group therapy?
The insight gained from the therapy session is that through subtle nudges, clients can open up on the issues affecting them. Additionally, as one client opens up, other clients would go into retrospection as they related their cases to the responses provided. Yet another insight gained is that although forced disclosure is not appropriate, the client can be subtly nudged by being asked leading questions and allowing the other clients to provide encouragement through positive identification (Novalis, Singer & Peele, 2020).
Now imagine you are leading your own group session. How would you go about handling a difficult situation with a disruptive group member?
Handling disruptive group member requires a structured approach that does not disrupt the therapy session. In fact, responding the wrong way can derail any progress made. The structured approach would apply four steps. The first step is being calm, instead of fighting back, so as not to escalate the disruption. The second step is expressing sympathy by validating the disruptive client’s feelings instead of making excuses or arguing. This helps to eliminate the disruption while furthering the therapy’s ultimate goal. Even as sympathy and compassion is expressed, it should be accompanied by consequences that warn against future disruptions. The third step reframing the disruption positively, such as praising the client for expressing resistance. The fourth step is seeking support from the rest of the group so that constructive suggestions are developed for addressing the disruption (Varcarolis & Fosbre, 2020).
How would you elicit participation in your group?
Three strategies can be applied to elicit participation. Firstly, orienting the clients to the group so that members are able to find their way in the group. Secondly, inviting the clients to collaborate on a shared vision. Thirdly, allowing the clients to participate at their own pace as this creates an environment of acceptance and safety. Thirdly, using affirming, empathic statements, instead of probing questions, as this creates a safe space for disclosures (Novalis, Singer & Peele, 2020).
What would you anticipate finding in the different phases of group therapy?
Group therapy goes through five phases. First is the dependency (forming) phase when the clients are unsure of themselves and look to others for direction. Second is the conflict (storming) when overt and covert conflicts are generated as the group members jockey for position within the group. Third is cohesion (norming) phase when the clients are psychologically closer, more relaxed, feel included, and productive. Fourth is performing phase when interdependence develops. Fifth is adjourning phase when the group is terminated with issues of loss coming up as the clients are separated (Varcarolis & Fosbre, 2020).
What do you see as the benefits and challenges of group therapy?
Group therapy offers five main benefits. Firstly, it shows the client that the psychological issue is not unique. Secondly, it provides a sense of belonging. Thirdly, it provides a strong network that offers different perspectives. Fourthly, it offers new strategies as the session proceed. Finally, it is cheaper to participate in group therapy than in individual therapy (Novalis, Singer & Peele, 2020).
It presents two main challenges. Firstly, persons with social phobia would find it difficult to open up in front of the group. Secondly, possibility of personality clash (Novalis, Singer & Peele, 2020).
References
Al Ubaidi BA (2017) Motivational Interviewing Skills: A Tool for Healthy Behavioral Changes. Journal of Family Medicine and Disease Prevention, 3, 069. https://doi.org/10.23937/2469-5793/1510069
Bertrando, P., & Lini, C. (2021). Towards a systemic-dialogical model of therapy. Human Systems, 1(1), 15–28. https://doi.org/10.1177/26344041211003853 Garland, C. (2019). The Groups Book: Psychoanalytic Group Therapy: Principles and Practice. Taylor & Francis Group.
Novalis, P. N., Singer, V., & Peele, R. (2020). Clinical Manual of Supportive Psychotherapy (2nd ed.). American Psychiatric Association Publishing.
Varcarolis, E., & Fosbre, C. (2020). Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Communication Approach to Evidence-Based care. Elsevier.
Cats Cats (2016, Sept. 29). Interpersonal Group Therapy for Addiction Recovery Demonstration. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szS31h0kMI0
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, evidence-based sources, and explain why each of your supporting sources is considered scholarly. Attach the PDFs of your sources.