Summary: The Significance Of Initial Stage In Group Therapy

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.

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

Looking for new and more effective ways to treat the issues of their clients, counselors and therapists may often begin to consider leading a group therapy session. Group therapy is a form of therapy in which a therapist either treats or provides psychoeducational skills to a small, carefully planned target group of individuals in an effort to ameliorate the issues and dysfunctions of each individual in that particular group of patients together (Scheidlinger, 2004). In this group, therapists often utilize some of the psychotherapy theories such as Gestalt, transactional analysis, psychotherapy or psychodrama which they often use to treat clients individually.

Group therapy is an important method that is commonly used by psychiatric professionals in the treatment of many types of mental illnesses. They consist of three or more people and are targeted at promoting psychological development and change. There are three different types of groups. The task group works by using tasks, such as activities and techniques, designed to help clients work toward desired goals. In addition, midrange groups work by allowing clients to share their thoughts and feelings with others who have learned to cope with similar problems over a longer period of time. Lastly, process groups work by allowing clients to work on their communicating patterns, skills and methods (Fortinash & Holoday Worrett, 2008).

(Corey et al., 1995). In addition, it increases the risk for harm and exploitation. If the counselor finds that a potentially harmful multiple relationship has arisen due to unforeseen factors, he or she must take reasonable steps for resolving it with due regard to the affected person’s best interest.

The process of running a group therapy session is a unique time to tests a person’s skills abilities when it comes to facilitating that group. This paper will mainly look at ways when it comes to my learning's of this class that I took ways; I will also show examples and skills to run a good group therapy session. This whole paper is a reflection of the many things that I took was on being an active group counselor facilitator.

Group therapy may be the intervention of choice for people with mental health problems who are assessed as potentially benefiting from an interpersonal process”. Therapy groups may focus on support, education, growth, rehabilitation or social issues (Bentley, 2002, p. 79). One model included in group therapy includes five stages which features a different set of process and dynamics: pre-affiliation, power and control, intimacy, differentiation and separation (Bentley, 2002, p. 79).

substantial information about the group process. As I have learned in this program, group therapy is a powerful form of therapy that allows group members to complete their therapeutic goals in a group setting. As a therapist, I believe it is essential to experience what group process is like. For this class assignment we were required to record a video session of a group session demonstrating skills discussed by Yalom in our required text. This paper will serve the purpose to explore my reaction of the experience of leading the group, reflections on the Yalom skills I incorporated, and my views on the strengths I displayed as a leader. In addition, I will explore ways I can improve as a group leader. From this assignment, my hope is to complete a session with tenants of Yalom, and make improvements to my therapeutic style.

In group therapy Mike and Carol will be able to face the challenge of understanding their new roles. They will also learn to set boundaries with regards to parenting, discipline, financial obligations, and time. Each family member in the group will have the opportunity to respectfully share his or her feelings and the children can voice their worries while gaining a better understanding of their place within the new family unit. In therapy, the children may be reassured of Mike and Carol’s continued love and affection for them while their parents learn ways to maintain a healthy relationship with their children while building a new and loving bond with their spouse and stepchildren.

The openness and lack of comfortability within a group setting may cause some emotional anxiety; therefore, the facilitator must protect the member mental stability. Member mental stability will compel them to participate when they do not feel comfortable. Members should not feel pressure to participate because it might cause additional psychological trauma. Often times, group therapy is a force form of psychotherapy for many patients making patient reluctant to participate. The facilitator is responsible of reminding them that consequences may arise due to their lack of participation within ethical reasoning.

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?

Research states that “Trust can be lost or gained by how the leader handles conflict or the initial expression of any negative reactions” (Corey et al., 2010, p.133). She allowed the group members to demonstrate their expectations for the group and if this would be a safe environment for them to participate in. The group facilitator established the norms of the group with confidentiality by providing an example for the group. Providing your personal thoughts of group therapy is acceptable. She asked the group members not to discuss what other group members said outside of the group (Association for Specialist in Group Work). Due to the fact that this was established early in the group session, it made it comfortable for group members to engage with one

As I began the Group Process and Dynamics course, I was excited to become educated and experienced with group counseling. Group counseling is a topic I have enjoyed in the past and have continued to be fascinated by. I have learned the elements of a group process through observation and research. The group process consists of several elements that come together when the group begins and ends when the group is terminated. I have observed group norms, group cohesion, the generation of trust, the manifestation of resistance, the emergence of conflict and resolution, healing forces, the reactions of group members, and the various stages a group develops through (Corey, Corey, & Corey, 2010). Throughout this course, I was able to derive a conceptualization of groups. From this course I will take with me the understanding of how effective group counseling can be for individuals. Groups have been known to be as effective as individual therapy and a great source of treatment. Group counseling is designed as a part of a treatment plan that helps individuals and guide them through change. Group counseling is a versatile practice, which can be used in several settings and with different populations (Corey et al., 2010). This course has given me the opportunity to reflect on my own personal leadership style, the challenges that may arise, and an action plan to continue my group leadership knowledge and skills.

Using existing research in these specific fields, phenomenological methods, and grounded theory, the authors where able to gather various data (artifacts, transcripts, video recordings, group therapy guided activities) to further explore, valid, and understand the positive effects of this group therapeutic approach.

The most significant thing this writer has learned about group counseling in this course is that the process is the groups’. When the process is the groups’, as sessions progress, the facilitator will not need to be as involved, as the group members will carry the group. This knowledge is something this writer was aware of, but did not fully understand and this writer now feels that she has a good understanding of this.