Group Settings versus Family Settings

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Group Settings versus Family Settings

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Group Settings versus Family Settings

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be described as a type of psychotherapeutic treatment, which assists the patients to understand the feelings and thoughts that have an impact on their behaviors. This type of therapy is a short-term approach, which concentrates on assisting clients to cope with a particular problem. Therapists aim at imparting the clients with skills that will enable them to identify and alter destructive feelings and thought, which tend to influence their behaviors and emotions negatively (Bjornsson et al, 2011). Cognitive-behavioral therapy is applied both in group and family settings Group Settings versus Family Settings

Similarities between Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Group and Family Setting

First, CBT is used by therapists to treat various emotional and mental health issues, including addictions, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorder, and depression in both group and family settings (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). In both cases, CBT is used to address the symptoms associated with the condition, which, in turn, minimizes or eliminates negative influence on the behavior of an individual. Additionally, CBT applies to people in all age groups, including children, adults, and adolescents in both group and family settings. Therapists use this approach to address a particular problem facing a child, an adolescent, or an adult in both settings. Also, therapists can use CBT alone or combine it with other approaches in both group and family settings based on the condition of the client. Finally, in both group and family settings daily therapeutic interactions between the clinician and the patient are more effective compared to weekly or biweekly therapeutic sessions. Daily sessions allow the therapist to monitor the changes in the behavior patterns of the client. Consequently, the therapist imparts positive changes in the behavior of the clients thus improving the quality of their lives. Group Settings versus Family Settings

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Differences between Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Group and Family Setting

            On the contrary, the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy in group and family settings tend to have some differences. First, the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy in family settings focuses on modifying the behaviors of family members. In particular, this therapeutic approach targets to alter family members’ interactional patterns. Additionally, this therapy focuses on restructuring the distorted perceptions and beliefs of family members, which might arise due to faulty interaction. On the other hand, the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy in a group setting involves simultaneous interaction between the therapist and individuals experiencing a particular common mental or emotional issue (Safak et al, 2014). Unlike in family settings, individuals involved in group settings are strangers. However, group members might be facing different mental and emotional issues that can be addressed using similar therapeutic approaches.

Challenges Counselors might encounter when using CBT in the Group Setting

Using CBT in group settings is associated with some challenges. The first challenge the counselor is likely to experience is a personality clash. Personality clashes are common in the group with a high number of members since each one of them has a different interest. Additionally, it will be relatively difficult for the counselor to focus on the need for individuals during the session. Therefore, the treatment offered to individuals during these sessions is likely to be diluted thus taking a longer period to achieve the expected results. The second challenge faced by a counselor in CBT is lack of confidentiality. In group sessions, the therapist handles a group of clients with common or different problems during the treatment sessions. This practice compromises the confidentiality, which is a legal requirement that is supposed to be observed in all counseling sessions.

References

Safak, Y., Karadere, M. E., Ozdel, K., Ozcan, T., Türkçapar, M. H., Kuru, E., & Yücens, B. (2014). The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral group psychotherapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Turkish Journal of Psychiatry, 25(4), 225–233. Retrieved from http://www.turkpsikiyatri.com/

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

Bjornsson, A. S., Bidwell, L. C., Brosse, A. L., Carey, G., Hauser, M., Mackiewicz Seghete, K. L., … Craighead, W. E. (2011). Cognitive-behavioral group therapy versus group psychotherapy for social anxiety disorder among college students: A randomized controlled trial. Depression and Anxiety, 28(11), 1034–1042. doi:10.1002/da.20877

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Group Settings versus Family Settings