Group Psychotherapy: A Case Study

Purpose of the group counseling varies from group to group. It can be therapeutic, educational, or helping people to make fundamental changes in their way of thinking, feeling and behaving (Corey, 2004, p. 7). Group counseling/therapy has the advantage of being more effective than individual therapy because, it more closely stimulates social interactions and interpersonal communication patterns than does individual counseling (Kottler, 2004, p. 260). The techniques and strategies use in group counseling are to help resolve members’ interpersonal conflict, promote greater self-awareness and insight, and help them work to eliminate their self-defeating

The Effects of Psychoeducational Group Therapy on Symptoms of PTSD, Anxiety and Depression Among Incarcerated Women

This paper will study through some of the diverse ethical issues that can arise within group therapy sessions, such as conflict and confidentiality. While discussing the ethical issues within group counseling we will take note of how these ethical issues may differ and compare to the ethical issues of those within individual counseling sessions. This paper will also discuss reasons why a therapist might choose to lead a group therapy session over individual counseling and vice versa. Throughout this paper you will be accurately informed of the ethical issues surrounding group therapy and individual counseling. As someone just starting

Another important ethical concern that therapists should be aware of is avoiding harm to the client. This is what Ford (2002) refers to as the principle of beneficence. Under this ethical principle, counselors take reasonable measures to ensure that they act in the interest of all the group members. They should also avoid indulging in actions that can harm the clients physically, psychologically or emotionally. As Pope & Vetter (1992) rightly point out, group counselors have the responsibility of protecting the welfare of every individual group member in addition to ensuring that the group functions in a manner that benefits all the clients involved. It is worth mentioning that the potential for harm in the group therapy is higher than in individual counseling because of the multiple interactions between clients and the therapist (Shapiro & Ginzberg, 2006).

In considering that a group on aging is centered on a particular theme, a psychoeducational group would be most appropriate. Corey (2010) suggests that the elderly may benefit from a psychoeducational structure as groups of this nature not only provide the opportunity to connect with members within the group, but teach members the skills they need to learn how to foster relationships and support systems beyond the group. Many older individuals, especially those within nursing or retirement homes, face isolation and loneliness as they have been removed from their friends and family primarily due to health reasons. Friends and family may visit often, but being separated from one’s home, community, and family unit, which can take a toll on an individual’s mental and emotional well being. Attending a psychoeducational group on successful aging might provide people a way to connect with their peers, while providing tools and coping skills to achieve a sense of meaning outside of the group.

Group therapy for me was a very new concept. My understanding towards group therapy was that every one share their concern issues and goup members discuss about that issue and get different perspectives about how to deal with that issue by building cohession and trust among the members. According to zander (1968) a group is a collection of individuals who have relation to one another that make them interdependent to some significant degree. , Group therapy is a type of psychotherapy that involves one or more therapists working with several people at the same time.Generally, the counselling group has a speific focus, which may be educational, vocational, social or

Ethics or morals can be defined as right and wrong. It shapes our worldview by the choices that we make. It is a set of principles of right conduct, or a theory or system of moral values. High ethical values are crucial to our individual lives. Most people when they think of ethics, they tend to refer to the golden rule” do unto others, as you would have them do unto you”. This paper will look at ethical issues that arise during group therapy. It will discuss the leader, the qualities of a good leader, and how they should handle ethical issues when they arise. This paper will also consider ethical issues that can arise in individual counseling, and why a leader would choose group therapy over individual counseling. Challenges will come during counseling sessions, group and individual, but they must be handled in a professional, respectful manner. The leader must choose what is the best course of action when presented with these challenges, and remain within the code of ethics; which provide guidelines which must be followed.

Researchers have the opportunity to support a breadth of populations by guiding practitioners in the optimal construction and delivery of group therapy” (p. 196).

Track 1 residency really taught me so much about myself. We had so much time to ask questions about how to counsel people. We did some relaxing exercises, and we had the chance to learn about other people. I learned that it is important to be aware of how you are handling what you are experiencing in that very moment. This was a time to ask questions, and to learn how to ask people questions. In track 2, I hope to further enhance my skills what learning how to use the skills that I already have.

Ethics in group counseling is a topic that needs to be looked at by today’s practicing counselors. There are many different agencies and organizations that are promoting ethics in counseling. Each organization has different views on what is needed. This report will highlight some points by a few different organizations and give their takes on what they feel is important. The report will also talk about the need for education on the reasons people need therapy. People who need therapy may not be getting the help they need because of lack of education. It is important to remember that

Depression or Major Depressive Disorder as well as several other spectrum level diagnoses related to depression is one of the most common mental disorders seen today. Depression seems to be a pervasive social and community problem that effects millions of people on a daily basis, sometimes associated with environmental events and other times presenting out of what would seem to be nowhere. One of the most significant problems with depression is the variety of effective treatments that can be tried often present as effective in some and non-affective in others, depending on a great number of factors all of which are individualized. Recent research is seeking a greater understanding of the efficacy of various types of group therapy as it is associated with individual treatment plans for those suffering with depression. The importance of appropriate diagnosis as well as individualized understanding of possible environmental and or source issues associated with depression is paramount to a better understanding of what types of multi-treatment plans an individual would be most helped by. In general those who experience depression as a result of or in conjunction with a post traumatic event or those who experience social isolation as a result of or leading up to a depressive cycle can often be helped by appropriate group therapy in conjunction with individual therapy, cognitive behavioral

Clients and therapists now have the options between individual and group counseling as methods to help to work through life changes and cope with issues in relationships, addictions, feelings, grief, stress and many others. One method is not better than the other since each person’s circumstance and expectation of therapy is different. Jacobs et al. highlights how a combination of both methods is also beneficial (2012). An effective leader determines if the client will not only benefit from group counseling, but assess the ability to participate in group counseling based upon their personal, mental and emotional state. In addition to having a keen awareness of the individual, the group, protection of each group member and ethical standards, the leader must be aware of their personal issues, boundaries and role as a leader when group therapy is incorporated. Jacobs et al. states “most members expect and want a leader to lead” (2012), so being aware of all aspects and resolving personal issues related to counseling topics improves the dynamic in both methods oppose to hindering it.

In the past few years, community agencies have increasingly used groups since various groups have become a common feature of today's society. Some of the most common groups in today's society include groups for women, men, parent education, children, HIV/AIDS support, and those for reducing substance abuse. Due to the increased use of groups by communities, there are various approaches that have emerged including group counseling and group psychotherapy. Group counseling is a designed preventive and remedial approach to meet the needs of specific population in the society like women, men, the elderly, adolescents, and children. On the contrary, group psychotherapy is a re-education process of the present and past through conscious and unconscious awareness.

Depression in late life is very common, particularly in older adults who are moving in to a different phase of their lives. They may experience a loss of a job, death of a spouse, empty nest, or a move that has taken them away from their social network. Geriatric depression is expensive for everyone involved, from the seniors who suffer not only mentally but physically from its effects to the increased use of health services such as emergency room visits. Suicide is also a consequence of depression in seniors. Sometimes depression is not diagnosed properly because its physical symptoms can mimic other illnesses. Many women, ages 55 and up, experience feelings of loneliness, isolation and do not know what to do now that they are in this new stage in their life; not working etc. Is the women’s group effective in helping members overcome feelings of depression and isolation?

Initial stage of a group talks about the early phases of the counseling group and leads the facilitator through the necessary steps and characteristics.