Group Therapy And The Screening Of Prospective Participants

Group therapy is a highly effective process that is at least as therapeutic as individualized therapy (Yalom, 2005). It is a powerful tool in psychotherapy, however the implementation of group therapy can determine how effective this process can be for the individuals participating. Some elements that are key in the implementation of a new group are the establishment of rules, norms and ethical guidelines. Included in these guidelines are the group leader’s proper training, knowledge of the subject matter, responsible duel relationships, the therapist own personal growth, confidentiality of the therapist, informing participants of the potential emotional outcome of the group, ethical use of exercises, and making appropriate referrals when needed (Jacobs, 2016).

The group facilitator is responsible of interviewing all members to ensure that all members will benefit from the group sessions, and that no member with interfere with the overall goal of the session. The screening of group attendee must comply with the standard code of ethic listed in ACA Code of Ethic (2005) under A.8.a. Group Work. “Counselors screen prospective group/theory participant. To the extent possible, counselor select members whose needs and goals are compatible with the goals of the group, who will not impede the group process, and whose well-being will not be jeopardized by the group experience” (ACA, 2015). The screening and group selection process is just as important as it sets the basis for what the group will offer or assistance the participants. The intake process can offer opportunities to the counselor to be tempted to engage in unethical practices. Extended research must be conducted before selection process takes place. The assembling a group would knowingly support the hypothesis and offer a tainted validation of the data generated.

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

APA standard 7.05 on mandatory individual or group therapy for graduate students as an option.  The key word here is "option" because some graduate students have expressed issues with privacy rights.  I do agree with the student about privacy rights and APA did revised the ethics code and allow the student to select a therapist not associated with the school.

Since the environment among a school is not that of a clinic or an outside counseling practice, certain planning needs to occur while forming groups. Rather than client’s willingly signing up or seeking out a group, a survey would be completed by faculty and staff to identify potential group members. Students would also participate in the survey process, giving perception of their needs. These surveys would be a form of data collection necessary in addressing needs that could otherwise be unknown. Following this, a meeting with potential group members would take place individually. The students would be informed about the group and what they may gain from it. Expectations, participation and confidentially would also be discussed. From these meetings, the counselor would then be able to determine the student’s interest level and seriousness of need or participation. With careful evaluation, this screening leads to group selection. Informed consent would be introduced and could have been completes prior to the screening. Although minors need parental consent, it is still essential for all students participating to sign and understand the informed consent. Prior to the group meeting, it is the counselor’s

After announcing the group, the selection of group members will be made by interview with the group leader. When a member decides they wish to join the group or is referred, they must meet with the group leader. From here, the client can ask the group leader questions about the procedures, the main purpose of the group, and other concerning questions. This process helps the client get to know the group leader, the goals of the group, and if the client will benefit from this experience. Members who will declined the option to join to group will be members who are hostile, defensive, and aggressive. By offering these members a spot in the therapy could triggers other’s PTSD symptoms. The members who will chose to participate in the group are candidates who show they are willing to change and desire to become a member of the group. The composition of the group is composed of male veterans who are suffering from PTSD

In the current literature 90% of individuals who were involved in-group therapy had a significant increase in their mental wellbeing after one week of treatment (Emond, 2012). However, it is important to identify the effectiveness of each group therapy, since group therapy incorporates a range of different types of therapies, which are aimed for diverse goals and outcomes. Therefore, this essay will discuss and compare the history, effectiveness and underlying issues of psycho-educational and interpersonal group therapies. Furthermore, from the evidenced based literature, it was shown that interpersonal group therapy and psycho-educational group therapy have great outcomes in stabilizing the mental status of in-patient’s in the mental health setting.

Furthermore, I currently do not see myself being a facilitator of a group of members who have had no prior assessment or screening. I would like a report from a prior therapist etc. I cannot confidently, at this present moment, have a member in group when I do not know if the member would benefit from the group, or if the member would be a negative impact to other members, etc. However, I do realize this is a situation in which will happen one day and I would like to improve myself on this so I may one day be confident in doing so.

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.

Recognizing one of the members as a past participant in my parent-child playgroups, I decided to engage with her for feedback on the support group. She expressed how beneficial it has been to listen to other mother’s experiences and have them receive feedback on their presenting issues. She shared how many of the experiences were ones she was also struggling with and that it benefited to watch others solve their problems, resulting with insight into her own. Also known as imitative behavior, group members often learn from watching one another tackle problems (Yalom & Leszcz, 2005). In group therapy, it is not uncommon for a member to benefit by observing the therapy of another member with a similar problem. This therapeutic factor present

The second cluster is dependent personality disorder, in which the individual is extremely clingy, needy, and desperately fears they will be rejected or separated. This is often because the individual will feel lonely, sad, and depressed. For treatment, it is often best to have the individual attend couple or family therapy so that the individual can learn to accept responsibility for themselves. Group therapy can also be helpful because it provides the client a chance to receive support from peers, as well as group members serving as role models for each

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.

When developing a psychoeducational group many tasks and goals will need to be established and completed. However, the first task would be to agree upon what will be the subject of the group and to whom the group will target. Next, the organization and plan for the how the session will proceed should be outlined. The number of sessions will be established and the space in which to have the group will be determined. Within the plan and formatting of the session, the start and end time will be determined. Screening is a task that will take place in the development of psychoeducational group so as all members will be in alignment with the goals of the group. Fees for the session