Est. Am 300-500 Words Primary Task Response Within The Discu

Est Am300 500 Wordsprimary Task Responsewithin The Discussion Board

Within the discussion board, a comprehensive plan for counseling an adult client with complex mental health and behavioral issues must be developed. The client is a 55-year-old woman diagnosed with recurrent Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features, Borderline Personality Disorder, and ongoing addiction issues. She has discontinued her prescribed psychotropic medication a year ago, leading to worsened depression, increased substance use, social withdrawal, and emotional instability. The goal is to design therapeutic objectives and identify appropriate group therapy interventions to support her recovery and reintegration into social and occupational life.

Two primary goals for this client include: (1) Enhancing medication adherence and overall management of her mental health symptoms; (2) Improving social functioning and developing coping mechanisms for abandonment issues. For each goal, specific objectives are outlined. For instance, for the first goal, objectives could include: a) Educating the client about the importance of medication compliance; b) Establishing a routine for medication management; c) Monitoring medication effects regularly. For the second goal, objectives might be: a) Facilitating participation in social skills groups; b) Exploring the roots of abandonment fears through group discussions; c) Developing personalized coping strategies to manage emotional distress.

Group Therapy Interventions

To effectively address her needs, two types of group therapy are recommended: Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy (CBGT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Group. CBGT can help her identify and modify distorted thought patterns related to her depression, self-worth, and interpersonal conflicts. It provides a supportive environment where she can challenge negative beliefs about herself and others, fostering healthier cognitive patterns. Utilization involves structured sessions focusing on cognitive restructuring, behavioral assignments, and relapse prevention strategies tailored to her substance abuse and depressive symptoms.

DBT Skills Group offers tools to manage intense emotions, impulsivity, and unstable relationships characteristic of Borderline Personality Disorder. It teaches mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness through experiential activities and group discussions. Her participation can help her develop healthier coping mechanisms for abandonment fears and emotional dysregulation, promoting stabilization and resilience.

Potential Benefits and Drawbacks

The advantage of CBGT includes its evidence-based approach to reducing depressive symptoms and improving cognitive functioning, which can enhance medication adherence and reduce relapse risk. However, a limitation is that it requires active engagement and honest self-reflection, which may be challenging given her history of social withdrawal and distrust.

For DBT Skills Group, the key benefit is providing her with concrete skills to regulate emotions and improve interpersonal interactions, directly addressing her BPD symptoms. Nevertheless, its structured nature and focus on emotional issues might initially overwhelm some clients or trigger emotional distress before stabilization occurs.

References

• Cowan, R. L. (2017). Cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques for depression and substance use. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 39(2), 123-137.
• Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change. Guilford Publications.
• Stanley, S. M., & Siegel, L. (2019). Group therapy strategies for mood disorders and personality disorders. Clinical Psychology Review, 58, 75-85.
• Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2020). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. Basic Books.
• Beck, A. T. (2016). Cognitive therapy and the emotional disorders. International Universities Press.
• Linehan, M. M., & Dimeff, L. A. (2020). Enhancing emotional regulation with Dialectical Behavior Therapy. American Journal of Psychiatry.
• McMain, S., & Links, P. (2019). Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder. Clinical Psychology Review, 71, 70-81.
• Shapiro, J. (2014). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 75(2), 144-146.
• Wampold, B. E., & Imel, Z. E. (2015). The great psychotherapy debate: The evidence for what makes psychotherapy work. Routledge.