The Advantages Of Geneal Therapy : The Benefits Of Group Therapy

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

At the beginning of my training, I was hesitant to work with people struggling with addiction. However, at this point, I am excited to begin working with this population. The raw honesty presented in the group setting along with the anger at the possibility of losing a safe place created a dynamic I wanted to further explore. Research supports that individuals attending group therapy in a 12 step program format succeed if they have the proper support and motivation (Cite). The group dynamic demonstrated that recovery takes time and self-discovery, similar to other situations dealt with in therapy. Subsequently, by using my sense of self and humor with clients struggling with addiction, I can help them in their journey. Furthermore, the client needs to identify accountability at their own pace in the process and not when others dictate. This knowledge and the personalization of addiction will aid me in the future support of my

Psychoeducational groups relating to additions or substance abuse are designed to assist participants in their stages of change, learn about recovery, provide information to families to understand behaviors, and to assist participants with resources and skills (U.S Department of Health and Human Services, n.d). Psychoeducational groups will support participants and encourage them to take responsibility for their actions. These groups will utilize different methods to replace addictive behavior and practice mindfulness to work on any cognitive impairment that their addiction has produced (U.S Department of Health and Human Service, n.d). In addition, substance abuse or addiction psychoeducational groups provide participants support and peer confrontation. Other members are able to support the group by offering education about what has worked well for them, or what has not work well. The group processes also provides emotional support for members to assist in personal recovery.

For example a member of the group mention how the group meeting helps her to be open and honest about a day by day struggle with temptation and addiction because the group members can relate to her bawl while she has to be silent about her emotions with her coworkers because of the stigma and the lack of understanding on the disease as well as the taboo of talking about it. Another example that aid me to understand the role of the group meeting is the fact that each member identified himself or herself as an addict by the time they mention their name which from my point of view relate to the fact of acceptance instead of denial about who they are, that even when years passed from the last time they used they are aware that they are still vulnerable to the drugs and that the support the group therapy provide is essential to stay clean as a member also mentioned that he was born an addict and stay an addict for many years but incompletely denial of it because he thought he could stop using drugs whenever he wanted to but failed each time until he finally join the group and follow the discipline and stipulations of the group

Behavioral Healthcare professionals are likely to encounter individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). These are highly prevalent and often co-occur with Mental Health Disorders. SUDs affect vital areas of life, such as physical, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Recovery from addiction is a long a road with highs and lows, however having a strong support system makes facing these challenges manageable. Addiction support groups gives the person a safe place to discuss these challenges while maintaining sobriety. They offer invaluable education, guidance, and the encouragement the patient needs to succeed in living a healthier lifestyle.

My impressions and hesitation for this assignment, I was not looking forward to the 12-step meeting, becoming nervous, angry, and fearful of not knowing no one. There was no prior prejudice on the subject of going to a substance group, there was more of a fear of being out of place, and asked to speak on my non-drug/substance issues, and acknowledge that I was there to observe. After attending the group setting of an AA meeting, I found myself comfortable due to the open arms of the members. The majority of the individuals present were doing it because they promised someone else to go or court orders. One gentlemen stated nobody wishes to be an alcoholic, and as a result virtually everyone attending the meeting wishes that they were someplace else doing something else (Brooks & McHenry, 2009).

These group models can be broken down into specific groups, such as early recovery, relapse prevention, 12-step psychoeducational, to name a few (SAMHSA, 2005). However, the search for literature on the efficacy of treatment groups for substance abuse disorders resulted in limited results. In one study by Gamble and Lawrence (2016), the researchers examined the current state of the 12-Step program and its long-term efficacy. They discovered in their literature review that studies surrounding 12-Step and other forms of treatment are scattered and not generalized for a diverse population (Gamble & Lawrence,

The first two groups were mixed gender adults, the third group was available to only women, and the third group was a dual diagnosis group. Adolescent groups are available in the evenings. I attended Group 1 that was led by a psychotherapist. The topic to explore was “Powerless and Control.” The goal or objective was for the client to further recognize theirs powerlessness over addictive disorders. As I witnessed the clients share their personal feelings, I noticed that the therapist encouraged clients to solve their own problems rather than giving them what he would consider to be solutions. He also repeatedly used the effective therapeutic communication of reflection. For example, the therapist would say, “So it made you felt angry and frustrated…” when a client gave an account of a heated argument with her

I attended a CACREP accredited program at UNLV for my master’s degree in counseling, with additional classes outside of my program curriculum that addressed substance abuse. I completed my practicum and internships at the PRACTICE (Partnership for Research, Assessment, Counseling, Therapy, and Integrative Clinical Education) under the direction of Dr. Paul and Dr. Lefforge. Here, I gained experience with applying my basic skills in a multidisciplinary environment working alongside supervisors licensed in counseling, psychology, and social work. Additionally, I gained an incredible appreciation and passion for working within group formats, as the PRACTICE hosts one of the leading group therapy training departments in the country. I happily facilitated the young adult group, the chronic illness group, the CBT group, and the DBT group over my one and a half year education, and it is here where I fell in love with group and family systems.

Substance abuse directly and indirectly impacts the lives of millions of people in the United States (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2013). The field of addiction treatment has worked to stop this through evidence-based practice (EBP) initiatives, which encourage recovery (SAMHSA, 2013). However, there are differing definitions of recovery (White, 2007) and in understanding addiction (Moyers & Miller, 1993). Because there are differing definitions associated with addiction and recovery, the addiction treatment field remains divided on certain topics (Cook, 1985). One topic of controversy is the use of Twelve Step Groups

The majority of alcohol abuse treatments are designed for groups. The basis behind this model is that the participants can interact amongst each other and identify with one another. Some early studies suggest that attempts at individual alcohol abuse therapy may be dangerous and ineffective, however since that time not much research has been done on the subject.

Gene therapy is where normal genes/ genetic material are inserted into the cell where missing or malfunctioning genes are, potentially correcting any disorders caused by the faulty gene. Leading research of gene therapy to treat Cystic Fibrosis has made ground breaking discoveries in ways in which faulty or missing CFTR genes (responsible for moving salt and water out of cells) can be replaced via Vectors, to ensure the protein can regain its normal function. This annotated bibliography provides specifics of key findings and effects gene therapy has in regards to treating Cystic Fibrosis.

Every living thing is the product of the genes that were passed down from ancestors. Genes make up everything we are. One gets their traits from their parents. Most people live full lives with relatively good health. However, some people inherit mutated genes or faulty genes. This could lead to genetic disorders that could be life threatening. Even today, many genetic disorders still remain incurable, leaving many people without hope. Genetic therapy could be their answer. It is through this research that the cure for genetic disorders can be found. Though some people believe it is unethical or immoral to alter genes, current therapeutics have not been able to save the lives of the patients with these diseases. Genetic therapy

Is gene therapy a necessity in today’s age or a disaster waiting to happen? Gene therapy, or genetic modification, is the act of deleting, inserting, or substituting genetic code in one’s DNA. Although there are hopes that this kind of operation will overall improve the health of many, such as curing genetic diseases, infertility, and preventing miscarriages, the possible negative outcomes of gene therapy outweigh the possible favorable outcomes. With this in mind, one question arises: is gene therapy the way to go? Gene therapy should not be pursued because it is seen as morally/religiously wrong, it could create a new genetic problem that cannot be fixed, and the possibility of abusing this new technology.

There is only one viable technique in gene therapy to humans – adding a gene to replace improperly functioning gene through a vector. Its basic mechanics is administering the DNA to the patient. Introduce the DNA to the diseased cell by a genetically engineered virus and express a protein. This can be done by injecting it to the bloodstream. The therapeutic genes are hoped to genetically alter the cells for normal functioning.