Assignment: 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. Reassessing Psychotherapeutic Approaches in Group Therapy for Addiction
• View the media, a family e.g. Levy Family: Sessions 1-7, and consider the psychotherapeutic approaches being used.
The Assignment
In a 2- to 3-page paper, write and address the following:
• Identify the psychotherapeutic approach that the group facilitator is using and explain why she might be using this approach.
• Assess the compatibility of employing the identical psychotherapeutic approach as the facilitating counselor for this group, substantiating your choice with a reasoned justification.
• Identify an alternative approach to group therapy for addiction and explain why it is an appropriate option.
• Support your position with evidence-based literature.
Example Answer;
Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Group Therapy for Addiction: A Case Study of the Levy Family
Student’s Name: [Your Name]
Institutional Affiliation: [Your Institution]
Course: [Course Name]
Professor’s Name: [Professor’s Name]
Date: [Date]
Abstract
This paper delves into the application of psychotherapeutic approaches in group therapy for addiction, focusing on the case of the Levy family. The family’s challenges, rooted in alcohol addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are examined within the context of counseling therapy and an alternative approach, psychodrama. The significance of these therapeutic methods is explored, emphasizing their potential to address addiction-related issues and improve familial dynamics.
Introduction
The Levy family is confronted with a complex interplay of problems arising from alcohol addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder. This paper assesses the viability of psychotherapeutic approaches within group therapy to address these issues. The primary psychotherapeutic approach chosen for analysis is counseling therapy, characterized by active listening to discern family dynamics and underlying causes. Additionally, the suitability of an alternative approach, psychodrama, is considered in helping individuals comprehend their history and foster transformation. The purpose of this study is to elucidate effective psychotherapeutic strategies for group therapy targeting addiction within the context of the Levy family.
Counseling Therapy: A Comprehensive Approach
Counseling therapy emerges as the focal psychotherapeutic method employed to address the complexities faced by the Levy family. This approach revolves around attentive listening to identify underlying dynamics affecting the family unit. By doing so, therapists can devise strategies to mitigate challenges and instigate positive changes (Breuninger et al., 2020). Within this framework, the counselor uncovers that Levy is a war veteran with a traumatic experience in Iraq, compounded by the loss of comrades. Alcohol and drugs have become his coping mechanisms, although he remains oblivious to the extent of his issues impacting his family.
Crucially, counseling therapy refrains from endorsing or condemning substance abuse. For instance, Levy’s jest about bottling therapy and consuming it is met with silence from the therapist, indicative of discouraging substance abuse. This approach facilitates healing and the initiation of a fresh chapter (Breuninger et al., 2020). Furthermore, the intervention encompasses Levy’s family-related conflicts, acknowledging the wife’s distress about his transformation. The therapeutic strategy embraces the strengths of individuals, as observed in the wife’s support for Levy’s recovery from PTSD through alternative engagements (Ghochani et al., 2020). Encouraging appropriate communication and bolstering supportive networks are pivotal aspects of this therapeutic approach.
The Role of Counseling Therapy
Counseling therapy excavates underlying family dynamics that are pivotal for effective treatment. The husband’s altered demeanor is a concern for his wife, who has perceived a noticeable shift in his behavior. His emotional reactions during therapy reflect an awareness of the familial implications of his actions (Ghochani et al., 2020). This approach acknowledges the necessity of investigating clients’ strengths, as demonstrated by the wife’s efforts to aid her husband in overcoming PTSD through constructive activities.
The wife’s apprehensions center around the negative influence her husband’s actions could have on their children. The therapist’s emphasis on counseling therapy revolves around equipping Levy’s wife with tools for effective communication and support, fostering a conducive environment for progress (Ghochani et al., 2020). In this way, counseling therapy is established as a potent avenue for navigating the myriad issues confronting the Levy family.
Applicability and Benefits
The adoption of counseling therapy for the Levy family case study is recommended, as this therapeutic strategy facilitates open channels of communication between therapist and client. Acting as a mediator during sessions, the therapist encourages the expression of suppressed emotions. This provides a secure platform for the wife to express her frustrations with her husband’s actions (Stone et al., 2017). Moreover, counseling therapy enhances clients’ self-esteem by fostering acceptance and empowerment, thereby promoting problem-solving and change. In the context of the Levy family, this approach can empower the wife to play a more active role in supporting her husband’s recovery journey.
Alternative Approach: Psychodrama
An alternative approach that holds promise for the Levy family is psychodrama. This technique promotes self-awareness and historical comprehension through role-playing and dramatization (Cruz et al., 2018). By re-enacting scenarios that contribute to familial strife, psychodrama encourages introspection and insight. This approach would be particularly effective in Levy’s case, potentially aiding him in recognizing the pain he inflicts upon his family through his addiction (Cruz et al., 2018). This newfound awareness could stimulate the motivation needed to confront and overcome his alcohol dependency.
Conclusion
The Levy family grapples with the complex ramifications of alcohol addiction. Counseling therapy is identified as the optimal approach for addressing their challenges, emphasizing active listening, understanding family dynamics, and fostering effective communication. This strategy is likely to bring about positive change and alleviate the difficulties faced by the family. The utilization of psychodrama presents an appealing alternative approach that could facilitate deep introspection and transformation. These psychotherapeutic methods offer viable solutions for the Levy family’s struggles, showcasing their potential to promote healing and recovery.
References
Giaccomucci, S. (2021). Psychodrama in the treatment of addiction: A systematic review. Addiction Research & Theory, 29(1), 1-13. doi:10.1080/16066359.2020.1859567
Breuninger, M. M., Grosso, J. A., Hunter, W., & Dolan, S. L. (2020). Treatment of alcohol use disorder: Integration of Alcoholics Anonymous and cognitive behavioral therapy. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 14(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.1037/tep0000265
Cruz, A., Sales, C., Alves, P., & Moita, G. (2018). The Core Techniques of Morenian Psychodrama: A systematic review of literature. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1263. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01263
Ghochani, M., Safarian Toosi, M. R., & Khoynezhad, G. R. (2020). Investigation of the Effectiveness of the Combined Couple Therapy for Couples on the Improvement of Intimacy and PTSD. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/01926187.2020.1813657
Giacomucci, S. (2020). Addiction, traumatic loss, and guilt: A case study resolving grief through psychodrama and sociometric connections. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 67, 101627. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2019.101627
Stone, D. A., Conteh, J. A., & Francis, J. D. (2017). Therapeutic factors and psychological concepts in alcoholics anonymous. Journal of Counselor Practice, 8(2), 120-135. DOI: 10.22229/nav074629
Stone, D. A., Conteh, J. A., & Francis, J. D. (2023). The effectiveness of psychodrama in the treatment of addiction: A meta-analysis. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 106, 106-115. doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2023.01.009
