Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Group Therapy for Addiction Essay
Introduction
Identify the psychotherapeutic approach that the group facilitator is using, and explain why she might be using this approach.
Determine whether or not you would use the same psychotherapeutic approach if you were the counselor facilitating this group, and justify your decision.
Identify an alternative approach to group therapy for addiction, and explain why it is an appropriate option.
Support your position with evidence-based literature. Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Group Therapy for Addiction Essay.
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Resource:
Laureate Education (Producer). (2013d). Levy family: Sessions 1-7 [Video file]. Baltimore, MD; Author.
Psychotherapeutic approaches
Introduction
Psychotherapy is a tool that allows for psychiatric problems to be addressed. It is not surprising that psychotherapy is used to address addiction. The delivery of psychotherapy is not particular and can be applied in group settings where addicts are offered a controlled environment in which to address addiction as a social problem (Wheeler, 2014). The present paper discusses the use of psychotherapy in the management of addiction.
Discussion
Part 1.
Psychodynamic model is being applied in the group sessions. In this case, the model has been applied to clarify the clients’ development, growth and behavior. The counselor seems to be using the model to gain a contextual awareness of the clients and their psychological issues. Through using the approach, the counselor was able to evaluate the clients’ development, growth and behavior as social functions that provide an awareness of the unconscious motivations, energies, and efforts responsible for the addiction (Wheeler, 2014). Through using this approach, the counselor has been able to form an accepting, empathetic and understanding relationship with Levy family members thereby allowing them to be more confident and trusting. This allows the counselor to develop and apply a targeted approach that is particular to the family’s needs. Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Group Therapy for Addiction Essay.
Part 2.
The psychodynamic model focuses on subconscious thought, and is not a suitable approach for the present case. Although this approach applies logical sequential steps that move from initial awareness of the prevailing problem towards a fitting solution that would be presented as a non-problem state, it is not an ideal approach for this situation (Wheeler, 2014). The person-centered model focuses on conscious thought and would be a more suitable approach. That is because the main issue in the case appears to be PTSD with the addiction being a consequence. Mr. Levy suffers from PTSD owing to his experiences as a soldier. He developed depression and anxiety as a result of the PTSD, and turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism. Repeated alcohol consumption has caused him to develop an addiction. The person-centered approach is more suitable since it would address PTSD as the underlying problem thereby eliminating the cause of the addiction. In addition, the approach would allow the client to better adjust and identify other activities that would reduce the addiction thereby allowing Mr. Levy to become addiction-free. Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Group Therapy for Addiction Essay. Besides targeting Mr. Levy, the approach would also be suitable for helping the whole family to socially adjust to the changes with a focus on improving their intellectual, physical, social and moral capacities. To be more precise, it would allow the family members to share their problems and consult each other in developing solutions, especially if the problem and solution have an effect on interactions between family members (Thompson, 2016).
Part 3.
Other than group therapy, the medication should be used as an alternative approach. This would entail using chemical agents that modify brain chemistry to reduce the addiction. There are FDA approved medication that would be appropriate for the present case to address the addiction. These medications include naltrexone, disulfiram, acamprosate, and naltrexone (Gorski, 2016). Other medications handle the case include baclofen, quetiapine, aripiprazole, sertraline, topiramate, and ondansetron. Apart from prescribing medication for the addiction, there is a need to prescribe medication for the withdrawal symptoms that could become overbearing if left unaddressed. Also, medication can be prescribed for the PTSD, anxiety and depression (Rutan, Stone & Shay, 2014). Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Group Therapy for Addiction Essay.
References
Gorski, T. (2016). Problem-solving group therapy: a group leader’s guide for developing and implementing group treatment plans. New York, NY: BookBaby/Self-Help.
Rutan, S., Stone, W. & Shay, J. (2014). Psychodynamic group psychotherapy (5th ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Publications. Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Group Therapy for Addiction Essay.
Thompson, R. (2016). Counseling techniques: improving relationships with others, ourselves, our families, and our environments (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.
Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: a how-to guide for evidence-based practice. New York, NY: Springer. Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Group Therapy for Addiction Essay.