Analysis of Group Therapy Techniques Assignment

Analysis of Group Therapy Techniques Assignment

Group therapy is one of the several effective ways of psychotherapy. Sometimes, group therapy is asked as additional therapy to individual therapy. The techniques used in group therapy determine the chances of success. The effectiveness of group therapy depends on its ability to address the primary psychological problem of its participants. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the group techniques used in group therapy as presented in a video by Blair Ann Hensen on YouTube.

Techniques Used by the Counselor

In the video by Hensen (2017), various techniques have been used for group counseling for adolescents suffering from anxiety of different etiologies. The video is a role-play session by Molly and three adolescents (Jill, Kala, and Blair) in group therapy. Molly, the counselor, begins by providing psychotherapy by recapturing the contents of the previous sessions. The instructor introduced the group participants to a non-pharmacological method of anxiety reduction that some members weren’t familiar with before the sessions. The counselor mountain pose, warrior pose, butterfly pose, and forward fold. The session was centered around yoga or anxiety management. However, the therapist demonstrated various psychotherapeutic skills and techniques that yielded results for two of the teens.

The counselor demonstrated active counseling perfectly. Even though she wanted to introduce a relatively new technique, she sought the knowledge needs of the group by engaging them in questions. The counselor listens actively by head nodding and maintaining eye contact with her group as he internalizes their responses and gauges their readiness for this new technique. Through the engagement of her group members by asking questions, Molly seeks feedback. In the process, she builds cohesion as the group forms and norms well to this relatively new technique. Kala didn’t seem to understand this technique or just lacked the zeal to try out new anxiety management therapy. Molly does not single her out and correct her but acknowledges her withdrawnness. She leaves other group members who seemed quite familiar with yoga to elaborate. Therefore, the group attempts to find and work on commonalities.  According to Novotney (2019), finding commonalities helps build group cohesion. Analysis of Group Therapy Techniques Assignment

Another technique that Molly demonstrates successfully is reflection. She reflects on previous theoretical backgrounds in their sessions. She also reminds the group of the benefits of acknowledging one another and finding solutions to group concerns. Reflection also allows group members to evaluate their expectations at the end of the session. As the two members expressed their satisfaction with the session, Kala didn’t express any enjoyment of the session, and this raised concerns. This could suggest that Kala did not norm well with the group.

Aspects that the Therapist did Well

The therapist did well in many aspects of psychotherapy in the video. She took charge of the psychotherapy whenever a rupture was impending. Whenever a member questioned the other member’s participation, the therapist chipped in and justified and rationalized the action in the session. Ruptures are common occurrences in group psychotherapy. Preventing ruptures promotes cohesion in the group (Novotney, 2019). According to Marmarosh (2021), addressing ruptures in a group is important in psychotherapy because it decreases dropouts and improves treatment outcomes. I believe this is one aspect of psychotherapy that the therapist did well.

Aspects that I Might Have Handled Differently

Molly’s group therapy depicts Kala as a disinterested and withdrawn group participant. This participant appeared to have not gelled in with the group and required extra effort or time to norm well with others. Her participation in the group activities appeared to be from pressure to show participation. I would have applied mentalization-based group treatment. Mentalization enables the therapist to make a different perspective on an issue to understand the client and enable them to make an appropriate therapeutic alliance. Sometimes, group participants may feel that others, including the therapist, are out to hurt them or are angry with them. This might be a source of rupture in this group session. According to Rutan (2021), the therapeutic alliance is the backbone of psychotherapy. Therefore, the therapist trying to understand Kala from her own background that caused her anxiety would encourage mentalization. Analysis of Group Therapy Techniques Assignment

Insights Gained and Future Strategies

The video has enabled an understanding of the value of techniques in small-group psychotherapy that have subtle outcomes. Active listening, non-judgmental understanding, and finding commonalities are key techniques that can be overlooked in the group session. The therapist created some safe space for group members to express their understanding and feedback. In case I am leading a session with a disruptive member, I would seek to understand the reasons behind such behavior mentalization of this behavior would propel my decision and techniques used to ensure group cohesion. In future therapy sessions, I will anticipate group ruptures and disruptive group members and plan for these setbacks during the forming and norming phases of group therapy. From this assessment, I have understood that group therapy provides social support, reduces isolation, and improves an individual’s literacy and learning from the experience of others.

Conclusion

Group therapy is a successful psychotherapeutic method for different psychological problems. Its efficacy depends on the therapist’s techniques, addressing primary issues, and participants’ willingness. The Hensen video showcased critical skills like active listening, reflection, and rupture management that enhanced session outcomes by promoting cohesion. Kala seemed disinterested; hence alternative treatment, such as mentalization-based group sessions, could help her situation. I have used scholarly sources that are current and authoritative to provide the basis for this assessment. Therefore, these sources are credible. Analysis of Group Therapy Techniques Assignment

References

American Psychological Association. (2019). Psychotherapy: Understanding group therapy. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/psychotherapy/group-therapy

Hensen, B. A. [@blairannehensen6696]. (2017, April 27). Role play: Group Counseling for adolescents with anxiety. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6CF09f5S1M

Marmarosh, C. L. (2021). Ruptures and repairs in group psychotherapy: From theory to practice. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 71(2), 205–223. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207284.2020.1855893

Novotney, A. (2019). Keys to great group therapy: Seasoned psychologists offer their expertise on the art and skill of leading successful group therapy. American Psychological Association, 50(4), 66. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/04/group-therapy

Rutan, J. S. (2021). Rupture and repair: Using leader errors in psychodynamic group psychotherapy. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 71(2), 310–331. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207284.2020.1808471 Analysis of Group Therapy Techniques Assignment