Foundations Of Group Counseling Task Name Phase 2 Discussion ✓ Solved

Foundations Of Group Counselingtasknamephase 2 Disc

Primary Discussion Response is due by Wednesday (11:59:59pm Central), Peer Responses are due by Sunday (11:59:59pm Central). At the community mental health center you are assigned to counsel an adult client who has Major Depressive Disorder, recurrent with psychotic features as well as Borderline Personality Disorder. She is a 55-year-old who also has addiction issues. She is beginning to lash out at her family because she feels abandoned by them. She stopped taking her prescribed psychotropic medications a year ago.

This has triggered her utilization of drugs and alcohol. She is becoming increasingly depressed, isolated, sleeps 14 hours per day, and overeats the rest of the day. She tells you that she has stopped all socializing and needs to get back into life again so that she can cope with her mental illness and work through her abandonment issues. She is willing to attend whatever groups you think will help her. You will take this case to your next team meeting to discuss with your colleagues before presenting the information to the client.

Be sure to include the following in your discussion: Provide 2 goals for the client. Identify 2-3 objectives per goal. Present at least 2 types of group therapy you could use to assist this client effectively, and explain how you would utilize the chosen groups. Identify one potential benefit and one potential drawback of each of the type of therapy selected.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Managing complex mental health cases such as this requires a comprehensive, tailored approach that addresses multiple facets of the client's difficulties. The client's presentation of Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features, Borderline Personality Disorder, and substance use issues necessitates a strategic combination of therapeutic goals and group interventions to facilitate recovery and stability.

Goals and Objectives

The primary goals for this client are: (1) to stabilize her mood and manage symptoms of depression and psychosis, and (2) to develop healthy interpersonal skills and coping mechanisms to address abandonment issues and improve her social functioning.

For goal one, objectives include:

• Objective 1: To reduce the frequency and severity of depressive episodes through engagement in medication management and psychoeducation.
• Objective 2: To decrease psychotic episodes by establishing a medication adherence routine and utilizing mindfulness techniques.
• Objective 3: To monitor and report mood and psychotic symptoms regularly to assess treatment progress.

For goal two, objectives include:

• Objective 1: To recognize and challenge maladaptive beliefs related to abandonment and rejection.
• Objective 2: To practice and reinforce skills in emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
• Objective 3: To gradually re-engage in social activities and rebuild supportive relationships.

Group Therapy Modalities

To effectively support this client, integrating group therapy modalities can be highly beneficial. Two effective approaches are:

1. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Groups

DBT groups focus on developing emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. Given the client’s borderline personality features and abandonment fears, DBT groups can target emotional regulation challenges and improve her interpersonal skills. The group would be utilized by teaching skills in a structured environment, encouraging practice between sessions, and providing peer support for emotion management.

Potential benefit: DBT has demonstrated efficacy in reducing self-harm behaviors, emotional dysregulation, and improving interpersonal relationships among clients with BPD (Linehan et al., 2015).

Potential drawback: The intensity and structure of DBT may be overwhelming for some clients, particularly those with severe depression or psychosis, potentially causing dropout or frustration (Kliem et al., 2010).

2. Psychoeducational and Support Groups for Depression and Addiction Recovery

This type of group offers education about depression, medication adherence, coping strategies, and substance abuse recovery. It also provides a peer support environment that normalizes her experiences, reducing isolation and fostering hope. Utilization would involve facilitating discussions around managing symptoms, relapse prevention, and building social networks.

Potential benefit: Psychoeducational groups enhance insight, foster motivation for treatment, and improve adherence (Miller & Rollnick, 2013).

Potential drawback: Limited attention to individual emotional needs may reduce effectiveness for clients with complex comorbidities, requiring supplementary individual therapy (Yalom & Leszcz, 2020).

Conclusion

Ultimately, an integrated approach combining symptom stabilization, emotional regulation, and social reintegration through targeted group therapies offers the best pathway to recovery. The combination of DBT skills training and psychoeducational support can address the multifaceted needs of this client, promoting resilience, functional improvement, and quality of life. Effective implementation, tailored to her evolving needs, requires collaboration among interdisciplinary team members, ongoing assessment, and adjustments to her treatment plan.

References

• Linehan, M. M., et al. (2015). Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder. Guilford Publications.
• Kliem, S., et al. (2010). The Efficacy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 71(12), 1351–1358.
• Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change. Guilford Publications.
• Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2020). The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy. Basic Books.
• Linehan, M. M. (2015). DBT Skills Training Manual. Guilford Publications.
• Safari, A., et al. (2018). Substance Use Disorders and Comorbid Disorders: An Integrated Approach. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 91, 21-28.
• Brown, G. K., et al. (2014). Evidence-Based Psychotherapies for Major Depression and Anxiety Disorders. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 75(3), e313–e319.
• Rogers, C. R. (1961). On Becoming a Person: A Therapist's View of Psychotherapy. Houghton Mifflin.
• Koroglu, A., et al. (2021). Group Therapy in Mental Health. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 27(2), 104-112.
• Yalom, I. D. (2005). The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy. Basic Books.