Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Group Settings Versus Family Settings.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Group Settings Versus Family Settings.

Introduction

In the field of mental health, the use of CBT is to eradicate a mental health disorder through the application of various strategies that help to deal with individual thoughts, feelings and emotions that are maladaptive, out of control and negatively influence behavior. CBT also helps in the treatment of individual challenges so that clients can learn how best and illness or disorder which affects the daily functioning of a client can be overcome. CBT is widely accepted as it can be applied in a wide range of settings such as individual, group and family. This paper compares the application of CBT in group versus family settings and discusses some of the most frequent challenges that are likely to be encountered in using CBT in group settings. A description of some of the most effective strategies for using CBT in groups will also be provided Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Group Settings Versus Family Settings.

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Comparison on the Use of CBT in Groups vs. Family Settings

When using CBT in group settings, participation in sessions of therapy is often by two or more people. The clients may have something some commonality such as the mental health disorders or the symptoms that cause difficulty in efficiently performing activities of daily life. In other cases, clients may fail to have some commonalities (Agazarian, 2018). Group settings may involve one or more therapist and it can be applied to clients with a wide range of disorders such as substance use, management of anger or eating disorders. As noted by the American Psychiatric Association (2013), it may occur in professional settings, at homes, public places or places of worship. In group settings, CBT serves to improve the self-awareness of clients, change motivation, enhancing self-esteem and trust and to eliminate feelings of isolation in knowing that others face similar challenges. The members are often willing to participate and remain open in talking about their challenges and problems.

In comparison, in family settings, members are commonly united by blood or family relations. Family members willingly propose to provide a client with emotional, physical, psychological and financial support for quick recovery (Smith, et. al., 2017).  Besides, in family settings, CBT is best applicable for situations that result to grief, anger, stress and conflict. It also examines the interaction patterns that exist between family members in the identification and alleviation of problems (Smith, et. al., 2017).  Both the family members and the therapist provide strategies that help to reframe how issues are viewed.

Challenges Counselors Might Encounter When Using CBT in Group Settings

One of the most notable challenges of CBT in group settings are chances of   re- victimization which may happen  through listening to  the stories provided by other victims. Re-victimization may cause a relapse of maladaptive behaviors and symptoms which interfere with daily social, work and physiologic functioning (Agazarian, 2018). Another challenge is that of lack of confidentiality where clients discuss the lives and problems presented by other participants outside the sessions of therapy. Lack of confidentiality is a major contributor to fear in clients such that, they may fail to openly share their problems with others (Agazarian, 2018). As a result, there is a high likelihood that some symptoms/ problems will fail to be addressed, leading to poor health outcomes.

Highly Effective Strategies in CBT for Groups

As the group facilitator, a mental health nurse has the role of ensuring that therapy groups are highly effective and that they benefit each participant.  One of the most effective strategies is outlining group norms and guidelines which detect and guide communication, behavior and participation (Safak, et al., 2014). These guidelines ought to explain the roles of each member that will make the group to be highly effective. As recommended by Safak, et al., (2014), there is also the need to educate participants on the importance of maintaining confidentiality and how positively this will impact health outcomes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Group Settings Versus Family Settings.

Conclusion

CBT has proven to be a highly effective strategy in the management of mental health disorders in family, individual and group settings. The major difference in group and family settings is that, in the former, clients may be known or not known to each other but may have commonalities in symptoms or mental health problems. In group settings, CBT serves to improve the self-awareness of clients, change motivation, enhancing self-esteem and trust and to eliminate feelings of isolation in knowing that others face similar challenges.

On the contrary, in family settings, participants are commonly united by blood or family relations and CBT serves to examine the interaction patterns that exist between family members in the identification and alleviation of problems. Re-victimization and lack of confidentiality are the major problems that might be encountered by mental health counselors in group settings. However, these problems might be addressed through having group norms and guidelines and educating group participants on the negative and positive impacts of maintaining confidentiality.

Discussion: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Group Settings Versus Family Settings

As you might recall from Week 5, there are significant differences in the applications of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for families and individuals. The same is true for CBT in group settings and CBT in family settings. In your role, it is essential to understand these differences to appropriately apply this therapeutic approach across multiple settings. For this Discussion, as you compare the use of CBT in group settings and family settings, consider challenges of using this approach with your own groups Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Group Settings Versus Family Settings.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Compare the use of cognitive behavioral therapy for groups to cognitive behavioral therapy for families
• Analyze challenges of using cognitive behavioral therapy for groups
• Recommend effective strategies in cognitive behavioral therapy for groups

To prepare:

• Reflect on your practicum experiences with CBT in group and family settings.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the Post to Discussion Question link and then select Create Thread to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking Submit!

By Day 3

Post an explanation of how the use of CBT in groups compares to its use in family settings. Provide specific examples from your own practicum experiences. Then, explain at least two challenges counselors might encounter when using CBT in the group setting. Support your response with specific examples from this week’s media Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Group Settings Versus Family Settings.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues by recommending strategies to overcome the challenges your colleagues have identified. Support your recommendation with evidence-based literature and/or your own experiences with clients Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Group Settings Versus Family Settings.