Assignment: Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Group Therapy for Addiction

When selecting a psychotherapeutic approach for a client, you must consider the unique needs and characteristics of that particular client. The same is true when selecting a psychotherapeutic approach for groups. Not every approach is appropriate for every group, and the group's unique needs and characteristics must be considered. For this Assignment, you examine psychotherapeutic approaches to group therapy for addiction.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Evaluate psychotherapeutic approaches to group therapy for addiction

To prepare:

• Review this week's Learning Resources and reflect on the insights they provide on group therapy for addiction.
• View the media, Levy Family: Sessions 1-7, and consider the psychotherapeutic approaches being used.

In a 2- to 3-page paper, address the following:

• Identify the psychotherapeutic approach that the group facilitator is using, and explain why she might be using this approach. ( The therapist used Exposure therapy)

• Determine whether or not you would use the same psychotherapeutic approach if you were the counselor facilitating this group, and justify your decision.( Yes)

• Identify an alternative approach to group therapy for addiction, and explain why it is an appropriate option.

• Support your position with evidence-based literature.

Group Therapy for Addiction

Consider the following scenario:

The psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner is working for a community health clinic that offers state mandated "intensive outpatient rehabilitation" services for individuals who face incarceration for driving while under the influence. Mr. Smith, a 24-year-old male patient, shows up for his initial intake appointment and says, "Look, this sounds like it's going to be an AA meeting. Can't I just go there? I only had a couple of drinks. I don't know why the judge was such a jerk."

Clients with addictive disorders may present for therapy for various reasons. Some, like Mr. Smith, attend because it is court mandated. Some attend because family or friends have pushed them to do so, while others may attend because life has become unmanageable. Regardless of clients' reasons for presenting for therapy, to reach these clients and effectively treat them, you must be able to break down barriers, establish relationships, and help them see the benefits of this therapeutic approach.

You explore psychotherapeutic approaches to group therapy for addiction. You also develop diagnoses for clients receiving psychotherapy for addiction and consider legal and ethical implications of counseling these clients.

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice. New York, NY: Springer.

• Chapter 16, "Psychotherapeutic Approaches for Addictions and Related Disorders" (pp. 565-596)

Yalom, I. D., &Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (5th ed.). New York, NY: Basic Books.

• Chapter 13, "Problem Group Members" (pp. 391-427)

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

Gamble, J., & O' Lawrence, H. (2016). An overview of the efficacy of the 12-step group therapy for substance abuse treatment. Journal of Health & Human Services Administration, 39(1), 142-160.

Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

Kim, J. W., Choi, Y. S., Shin, K. C., Kim, O. H., Lee, D. Y., Jung, M. H., ... Choi, I. (2012). The effectiveness of continuing group psychotherapy for outpatients with alcohol dependence: 77-month outcomes. Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, 36(4), 686-692. doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.2011.01643.x

Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.

Document: Group Therapy Progress Note

Required Media

Allyn & Bacon (Producer). (2000). Motivational interviewing [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Psychotherapy.net.

Note: You will access this media from the Walden Library databases. The approximate length of this media piece is 102 minutes.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013d). Levy family: Sessions 1-7 [Video file]. Baltimore, MD; Author.

Psychotherapy.net (Producer). (2015). Group therapy for addictions: An interpersonal relapse prevention approach [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Author.

Note: You will access this media from the Walden Library databases. The approximate length of this media piece is 83 minutes.

Optional Resources

Psychotherapy (Producer). (2000a). Cognitive therapy for addictions [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Author.