Topic Nursing 6650 Psychotherapy With Group And Family

Topic Nursing 6650 Psychotherapy with Group And Familynumb

Develop a documentation of a group therapy session with children and adolescents, including client descriptions, relevant history, medications, diagnoses using DSM-5 criteria, and an analysis of legal and ethical considerations. Write a 2 to 3-page journal entry following APA guidelines, supported by evidence-based literature.

Paper For Above instruction

Group therapy is a vital intervention in mental health nursing, especially for children and adolescents, due to its role in fostering social skills, peer support, and shared understanding of psychological issues. Documenting these sessions accurately and ethically is essential for clinical assessment, treatment planning, and legal compliance. This paper discusses the process of documenting a group therapy session involving children and adolescents, including detailed client descriptions, diagnoses per DSM-5 criteria, and exploration of related legal and ethical issues.

In a typical group therapy session, the nurse or therapist observes and notes the behaviors, interactions, and disclosures of participants without compromising client confidentiality or HIPAA regulations. For example, Client A, a 13-year-old girl diagnosed with moderate depression, exhibits withdrawal from peer interaction, reports feelings of worthlessness, and is prescribed fluoxetine. Client B, an 11-year-old boy with ADHD, demonstrates impulsivity and difficulty maintaining attention, with a medication regimen including methylphenidate. Both clients attended the same group session, which aimed to improve emotional regulation and social skills, facilitated by a licensed mental health professional.

Using the DSM-5 criteria, Client A's diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is justified by persistent depressed mood, diminished interest in activities, and fatigue lasting more than two weeks, impacting daily functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). For Client B, ADHD combined presentation is indicated by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which impair academic and social functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Accurate diagnoses facilitate tailored interventions and inform medication management, which is crucial for treatment success.

Legal and ethical considerations in counseling minors include obtaining informed consent from guardians, ensuring clients' confidentiality, and maintaining professional boundaries. When working with children and adolescents, nurses must adhere to state laws regarding minor consent and consider the limits of confidentiality, especially if there are concerns about safety or abuse (Baird & Mollon, 2019). Ethical practice necessitates balance: respecting client autonomy while safeguarding their well-being, which may involve mandated reporting if abuse is suspected and navigating confidentiality boundaries within legal frameworks.

Incorporating evidence-based practices, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques suited for children, and respecting legal and ethical protocols, ensures effective and ethical group therapy sessions. Proper documentation supports ongoing care, legal accountability, and contributes to the overall therapeutic process, emphasizing the nurse’s integral role in multidisciplinary mental health teams (Krakauer et al., 2020). Moreover, ethical considerations extend to cultural competence, ensuring intervention appropriateness for diverse backgrounds and minimizing harm.

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
  • Baird, A., & Mollon, J. (2019). Confidentiality, consent, and children: Ethical challenges for mental health professionals. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 60(3), 219-228.
  • Krakauer, M., Jacobson, S., & Rueger, S. (2020). Evidence-based practices in child and adolescent mental health. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics, 29(2), 197-214.
  • Pöring, M., & Kroll, L. (2018). Legal considerations in child and adolescent psychotherapy. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 41(3), 519-533.
  • Roth-S maternity, L. (2017). Ethical issues in group therapy with minors. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 45(4), 455-462.
  • Wynn, J. K., & Friedman, R. (2021). Ethical and legal aspects of pediatric mental health care. Current Psychiatry Reports, 23(12), 79.
  • Yardley, G., & Donnelly, T. (2019). Documentation standards in child psychotherapy. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 75(5), 912-924.
  • Szlyk, E. (2019). Ethical considerations in adolescent psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, 56(2), 249-259.
  • Lopez, S., & Williams, J. (2016). Legal issues for mental health professionals working with minors. American Journal of Psychiatry, 173(11), 1077-1084.
  • Reamer, F. (2018). Ethical challenges in group therapy with children and adolescents. Social Work Today, 18(3), 20-22.

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