Group Therapy Psychotherapy

Throughout the centuries, there is no definite definition for art therapy. It is hard to define art therapy because of the broad populations that art therapy can be integrated in. Many art therapy pioneers concentrated in different areas and they developed their own theories within their concentration. Therefore, it is hard to define what art therapy is. According to the American Art Therapy Association (AATA, 2014), art therapy is a professional field uses art-making in a therapeutic setting with populations who experience illness, trauma and for those who seek personal development.

At one point in a person life, they will participated in a group whether it is part of a specific committee, therapy, or social group. In recent years, there has been a rise in counseling within a group forum veering from the tradition individual counseling. Therapists, physiologist, and counselors believe that form of counseling is beneficial to both counselor and client. This allows the counselor to help several clients at once rather than one at a time decreasing their strenuous workload and demanding work hours. This form of counseling integrate individual that share similar issues, struggles, and experiences into one forum. This not only allows the clients to learn from the therapist but from their fellow group members. The group experience

Dunn, N.J., Rehm, L.P., Schillaci, J., Souchek, J., Mehta, P., Ashton, C.M., . . . Hamilton, J.D. (2007). A randomized trial of self-management and psychoeducational group therapies for comorbid chronic posttraumatic stress disorder and depressive disorder. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 20(3), 221-237.

The first time I personally experienced attending a group therapy was part of my course. Through this experience i can say that group therapy can be very powerful in healing a person emotionally and since the members were from the same class, where we all have similar goals. Group therapy helped all of us to establish meaningful and intimate relationship and we also recognised commanality of members needs and problems and to develop a sense of bonding and we became very close and we could also be there for each other during emotionally trying times.It also helped me to increase self-growth, self acceptance and self –confidence among oneself and group members. Group therapy is a powerful venue for growth and change. It also helped me in expressing my emotions in a healthy way.

My preferred theoretical orientation is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The main assumption of CBT is that events and situations in life do not cause emotional problems (e.g., guilt or depression); rather problems are due to irrational beliefs and perceptions about the situations (Corey, 2009). The goals of CBT focus on correcting the client’s automatic and self-defeating thoughts, which should ultimately help them to develop a more adaptive philosophy of life (Corey, 2009). I like that this approach focuses on challenging and changing the client’s cognitive distortions, core beliefs, automatic thoughts, and schemas. Another positive aspect is that this approach focuses on the cognitive triad,

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can result from any form of trauma a person may experience throughout their life, such as war or combat, physical or sexual assault, natural disasters, mental abuse, ect. It is also something that effects more people than commonly thought, “7.8 percent of Americans will experience PTSD at some point in their lives”. If not treated, the symptoms of PTSD can follow an individual their entire life, this potentially includes “reliving” traumatic memories in addition to many other emotional issues. Although it may be helpful, PTSD treatment can be very difficult for an individual to participate in. In order for someone to work through a traumatic experience, it is necessary that the individual reflects on many

Cathy Malchiodi observes the pattern for the use of art expression in helping individuals to express crisis and trauma through imagery. The therapeutic benefit of nonverbal communication

This study utilized three art therapist who have worked with clients who have experienced cumulative traumas. Within this framework they understand the importance and effectiveness of TF-CBT to address various symptoms and introduce pyschoeducation, trauma narrative, and relaxation techniques. Additionally, all three art therapist identified the importance of using humanistic and client-centered approaches. The art therapist identified having the clients assist in forming their personal goals. There were major themes derived from the three art therapist to ensure effective treatment outcomes. Unconditional positive regard, consistency, and an authentic connection with the client were all identified as vital aspects in ensure a positive

There are very effective treatments to help patients with PTSD such as art therapy provided by the Army’s MWR program. Art can help people express themselves and take their minds off negative energy. It is also a helpful way to relieve someone from depression, stress and anxiety by creating a calm, stress-free for victims of the disorder. There are programs such as the Exceptional Family Member Program, MEDCOM, and the American Art Therapy Program that provide these services.

The use of art therapy after a disaster is an emerging approach to dealing with trauma. Disaster can result from natural events, manmade events, personal events, or a combination of any of these. Adults, families, and communities go through considerable suffering during disaster and deal with many trauma related symptoms and issues. Children experience trauma in dissimilar ways and are usually helped the least. Adult treatment procedures, in some respects, are similar to those for children. However, they have distinctions. Group therapy has been found beneficial for all survivors. Art therapy for adults,

The program intends to take a “Creative Art and Mindfulness Therapy” (CAMT) Approach. CAMT was designed by combining two evidence-based practices, which are creative art and mindfulness. Creative art is an effective tool to help trauma survivors in narrating their stories because it can partially replace verbalization that is sometimes too difficult to be expressed orally. Narrative telling is included to help clients embrace non- avoidance behavior, a practice that is believed in Western culture to start the healing journey. The mindfulness approach is incorporated in this modality to increase coping skills during trauma reactivation and to encourage the survivors to remain in their here- and-now experience instead of dwelling on painful

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?

The American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA) represents a multi-disciplinary membership organization established to advance research, knowledge, and training in group psychotherapy and other interventions related to the group setting. The National Registry for Certified Group Psychotherapists certifies group psychotherapists. The AGPA members and those included in the National Registry are required to practice in accordance with standards of ethical practice defined by state licensing boards and national professional organization.

However, art therapy is typically the most in psychiatric wards, either individually or in groups. It is currently emerging is family art therapy, and used a lot in the education system, focusing on children who are learning disabled, mentally challenged, emotionally disturbed, socially disadvantaged. According to the AATA, art therapy is practiced in mental health, rehabilitation, medical, educational, forensic, wellness, private practice and community settings. Within these settings, art therapy can be applied to an extremely diverse client population in individual, couples, family, and group therapy formats. Art therapy is an effective treatment for people experiencing developmental, medical, educational, and social or psychological impairment. Other individuals who benefit from art therapy include those who have survived trauma resulting from combat, abuse, and natural disaster, along with individuals who have adverse physical health conditions such as cancer, traumatic brain injury, and other health disability, and finally individuals with autism, dementia, depression, and other disorders. Art therapy helps people resolve conflicts, improve interpersonal skills, manage maladaptive behaviors, reduce negative stress, and achieve personal insight. (AATA, 2013) No matter how it is used, all good art therapy leads to both education and growth. It can be beneficial

Expressive arts therapy is the use of art modalities, creative process, and aesthetic experience in a therapeutic context. It is a therapy of the imagination (McNiff, 1992). Effective communication is an essential element in therapeutic relationships and, although verbal language is the most conventional means of conveying information, other forms can convey just as much as words. The arts are an alternative form of communication that has recently received recognition for their value in therapeutic settings. There is a long well-established connection between the arts and psychology. Expressive arts therapy builds on a natural, complimentary relationship between the two disciplines. As a formal therapy, this form is relatively new with its