Group Psychotherapy - Essay Example

Group Psychotherapy Processes

Introduction

Psychiatric conditions have been on the rise over the years, and to that effect, psychotherapeutic interventions intended to solve the disorders have also been designed over time (Langer et al., 2017). Importantly, group therapy has shown superior effects in helping restore psychological processes and thus, the quality of life of those affected. It is, therefore, necessary for a nurse practitioner to understand the processes needed to formulate a functional group to manage particular psychiatric conditions. This paper seeks to critique a sample group undergoing psychotherapy, curative factors that arise, some of the conflicts ensuing and some strategies to solve the conflicts.

Group process and stages of formation

Group therapy encompasses aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy; solution focused therapy and psychoeducation. To design an effective group, therefore, there are vital steps that should be followed. The stages include forming stage, the norming, performing and then the adjourning stage. The initial stage, the forming stage forms the foundation of all the other stages (Dobiała, 2020). In this stage, the facilitator introduces the group, allows the members to familiarize with each other and then outline the goals and objectives of the entire group. The facilitator also makes clear some of the structures in place to allow seamless execution of the therapy. Based on the video for this assignment, the members seem to have grasped what the session is all about, and Phillip is the newest entrant of them all. The facilitator appears to have gained control of the group and able to guide as appropriate.

The second stage of the group processes is the storming stage, and it entails group members attempting to find their identities in the group (Gren, Torkar, & Feldt, 2017). It is also at this stage that conflict tends to ensue among the members, the basis being differences in opinions. Some members show dominance over others, and this further brews the conflict, while the less dominant members withdraw. This phase is crucial because it allows the facilitator to state ground and intervene to guide the group appropriately. In the video provided, Katherine returned and noticed that the new member of the group had suffered sexual assault, which she reported having occurred about 15 years ago. This realization seemed to have brewed a conflict in the group, but it was amicably handled, and the therapy proceeded as expected.

In the third stage, the norming stage, members are fully aware of the dynamics and are, therefore, able to work in harmony towards mainly set goals. The group members begin to trust each other and thus express their feelings freely with the hope of finding a solution to the underlying challenges (Zoltan, Zoltan, & Vancea, 2016). The fourth stage is dubbed the performing stage, and this when the members take practical approaches towards their problem, they are independent and deeply understand what they ought to do as far as the therapy is concerned.

The adjourning phase is the culmination of the entire therapy process, and members ought to have met the set goals and objectives. This stage is the hardest because, in the course of therapy, the group members form bonds with each other and therefore, they are meant to be broken at this point (Foulkes, 2018). The group members are appreciated for taking part in the therapy, and therapy session is closed.

Curative factors that present in the group

The presence of curative factors in group therapy is of great importance since they influence the entire healing process. The factors include imparting information, instillation of hope, universality, interpersonal learning, corrective recapitulation, group cohesiveness, catharsis, imitative behavior and socializing techniques (Schumann, Farmer, Shreve & Corley, 2020). The factors can further be understood to either be primary, secondary or tertiary.

It is acknowledgeable that Molyn appreciates that the group therapy revitalizes him, despite suffering terminal illness; an aspect that greatly demonstrates instillation of hope. Driven by hope, members of the group are also able to put on the strength that would carry them through to the end of the healing process. Universality is also demonstrated by the fact that the facilitator provides a great sense of leadership and allows the other members to ask questions as much as possible. Being allowed to express themselves allows the members to feel a sense of belonging and that they are not alone. Corrective recapitulation was also evident, and this made it possible for the members to correct some of their previous events which might have occurred in childhood and affect their current state of well-being.

Imparting information also occurs when the members express themselves throughout as others ask questions about the presentations. Through asking questions, continuous learning occurs, and knowledge of how to handle different presentations is passed. There was also the practice of altruism from the members, which allowed the facilitator to drive the group goals to the end. Gill, despite being absent from the group, his presence was still felt, and this evidence showed the factor of catharsis where one releases the suppressed emotions and this in return promotes the healing process for the group. When Pam is referred to as a judge, it is a clear demonstration of the imitative behavior as a curative factor.

Cohesiveness was also highly witnessed in the sense that despite previously being uncomfortable with each other, the members began experiencing some closeness that allowed them to express themselves openly and share their experiences without fear. The group member demonstrates this when they allow the newest member of the group to remain part of the group even though she had gone to India to receive treatment for her underlying condition. Existential factors are also evident when the members find common ground to exist despite each having different behaviors and characters.

Conflict and resolution strategies

Conflicts are inevitable when groups are concerned, and this case study was not exceptional. To manage, the proper conflict resolution mechanisms were applied, including collaboration, avoiding and at times, compromising. In collaboration, the group members agree on the existence of the conflict and then come up with a common strategy to address the outcomes. In accommodation, the group members try as much as possible to cope with conflicting situations without necessarily being affected deeply. In avoidance, the members would show no regard to the conflicting situations, paying no attention to anything that tends to arouse conflict.

In the course of therapy, the facilitator ensured all the members were within the confines and provisions of the psychotherapy. Members who attempted to go overboard were asked to tone down and be accommodative of the other group members to avoid pissing off the others. Before the therapy session, the therapist ensured all the ground rules regarding therapy were laid, and this limited the possibility of some members going overboard.

In a compromise, some members opted to take a less active stand and limit the possibility of confrontation in the course of therapy. Members who conflicted also used compromise to find common ground upon which they coexisted. In this group psychotherapy, therefore, there was a blend of strategies used together, and each was able to yield some results, which then contributed to the common good of the group.

Conclusion

Group psychotherapy has over the years been used as an effective strategy in the management of psychiatric conditions. To implement the approach to therapy appropriately, the group goes through several stages which would be important in addressing all the underlying issues. The forming stage, the norming, performing, and then the adjourning stage is the particular stages used in formation of the group (Marmarosh, 2019). Curative factors are essential in the course of group therapy, and they have an impact on the effectiveness.

Some of the curative factors include cohesiveness, universality, altruism, imparting information and instillation of hope, among other forms. In the course of therapy, however, conflicts are not avoidable, and therefore, the facilitator needs to work with the group members to find out ways to resolve. Some strategies of resolving include collaboration, avoidance and compromise. In most cases, a blend of the strategies attains the best results.