Select one of the group therapy video demonstrations from below
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szS31h0kMI0
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8Dzus8WGqA
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6CF09f5S1M
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwnfWMNbg48
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05Elmr65RDg
In a 3 pages paper, identify the video you selected and address the following:
• What group therapy techniques were demonstrated? How well do you believe these techniques were demonstrated?
• What evidence from the literature supports the techniques demonstrated?
• What did you notice that the therapist did well?
• Explain something that you would have handled differently.
• What is an insight that you gained from watching the therapist handle the group therapy?
• Now imagine you are leading your own group session. How would you go about handling a difficult situation with a disruptive group member? How would you elicit participation in your group? What would you anticipate finding in the different phases of group therapy? What do you see as the benefits and challenges of group therapy?
• Support your reasoning with at least three peer-reviewed, evidence-based sources, and explain why each of your supporting sources is considered scholarly. Attach the PDFs of your sources.
Reminder The School of Nursing requires that all papers submitted include a title page, introduction, summary, and references.
Analyzing Group Techniques
The goals of interpersonal group therapy include helping the individuals to improve their social lives while at the same time resolving a troubling past event. Group therapies enable the participants to experience a supportive and collaborative environment hence alleviating the feelings of isolation. It is therefore an effective therapeutic intervention for the management of psychological disorders related to substance abuse and addiction. The purpose of this paper is to analyze a video within which group therapy was conducted and analyze the group therapy techniques utilized. This paper will focus on the video titled ‘Interpersonal Group Therapy for Addiction Recovery Demonstration,’ a video where Jimmy, one of the members’ shares how he used to steal medication for his mother to alleviate her pain.
Group Therapy Techniques Demonstrated in the Video
The video shows some group therapy techniques such as non-interference from the members and the therapist, the provision of a supportive and collaborative environment, empathy, and interpersonal feedback. After Jimmy shares an issue that has been troubling him in the past, he experiences a supportive and collaborative environment. The group members appreciate him for his courage to share the story. More so, the group members do not judge him. Instead, they show empathy to him and most importantly provide interpersonal feedback that aims at making him feel better. Others share almost similar experiences of theft. I think the above techniques were well demonstrated creating a safe environment for the group member to express himself without the fear of judgment or worse still castigation.
Evidence from the Literature
Psychotherapy literature supports the use of interpersonal group techniques as shown in the video with the ultimate goal of creating a conducive and safe environment for the group members to express their emotions, and information without the fear of being judged by others. Wendt & Gone, (2017) assert that group therapy builds cohesion among the group members allowing for better patient engagement. Cohesion and trust among the group members in a group therapy setting allow the members to make disclosures and improve their emotional regulation while at the same time feeling more comfortable and aware of their past struggles.
What the Therapist did Well
The therapist did well by being not confrontational. The therapist allows the client to express his emotions and even justify his actions without challenging his defense. More so, the group session is client-centered where Jimmy is allowed to talk with minimal interruptions, which does not interrupt his thought process. The therapist also allows Jimmy to share his feelings about what he feels about the group and especially his confidence and trust with the group members despite possible guilt, shame, and vulnerability concerning his revelation. According to Marmarosh, (2021), the ability to trust others in a group setting is based on the people’s ongoing experiences about being valued, heard, and seen. The therapist as the group leader, therefore, has the group in control and has ensured that the group members have built trust, tolerance, and cohesion amongst themselves.
Something I would have Handled Differently
One thing that I would have done differently if I were the therapist would be to allow all the other group members to offer feedback regarding Jimmy’s revelation. By doing so, I believe that I would have continued to build the group’s cohesion, trust, and confidence by being open in communication. It is vital to acknowledge that in group settings, clients recovering from addiction may lay back and shy away from sharing embarrassing information due to guilt and even issues to do with confidentiality.
Insights Gained
After watching the video, I have understood the essence of therapeutic relationships in psychotherapy. Group therapy allows for peer transferences and access to expanded feedback opportunities (Rutan, 2021). As individuals, listen and empathize with other group members, they can reflect on their lives and even share similar experiences. They, therefore, gain the courage to face life with more confidence and at the same time practice new relationships with the group members. More so, the leader should ensure that group therapy is client-centered to ensure that the patients get the opportunity to express themselves with minimal interruptions to lower the possibilities of inconsistencies in their stories.
Leading a Group Session
The process of leading a group therapy session would require a therapist with adequate skills and knowledge on how to handle group dynamics. For example, one should be open-minded and be ready to deal with multiple personalities. In the case of handling a disruptive group member, it would be vital for the group leader to establish rules and codes of conduct governing the group process. Subsequently, the leader and the members should use a collaborative approach and share their opinions regarding the disruptive member in line with the group focus and the set goals.
Benefits and Challenges of Group Therapy
Some of the benefits of group therapy include the establishment of new relationships, multiple feedback, and personal awareness. On the other hand, the challenges include discomfort, fear of disclosure of information, feelings of shame, vulnerability, and emotional intolerance among some members.
Group therapy as a therapeutic approach among individuals recovering from addiction is likely to ensure that the individuals develop a sense of trust and cohesiveness with others. Therapists as facilitators of group therapy should focus on guiding the process rather than controlling it. Despite the above-mentioned challenges associated with group therapy, the approach has several advantages for the clients.
References
Interpersonal Group Therapy for Addiction Recovery Demonstration (n.d) Accessed from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szS31h0kMI0
Marmarosh, C. L. (2021). Ruptures and Repairs in Group Psychotherapy: From Theory to Practice. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 71(2), 205-223.
Rutan, J. S. (2021). Reasons for suggesting group psychotherapy to patients. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 74(2), 67-70.
Wendt, D. C., & Gone, J. P. (2017). Group Therapy for Substance Use Disorders: A Survey of Clinician Practices. Journal of groups in addiction & recovery, 12(4), 243–259. https://doi.org/10.1080/1556035X.2017.1348280