NURS 6650 Week 8: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Groups

NURS 6650: Psychotherapy With Groups And Families | Week 8

CBT is the most widely researched psychotherapeutic model with demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of a wide range of emotional and behavioral problems. CBT is the first order of business and treatment of choice for most patients who need internal resources and coping skills enhanced.

—Dr. Sharon M. Freeman Clevenger, Psychotherapy for the Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse

Although designed for therapy with individuals, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has also proven effective in group settings. With its many benefits, including cost-effectiveness and efficiency, this therapeutic approach allows the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner to effectively treat a greater number of clients in a relatively short length of time. With the widespread use of CBT with groups, it is important for you to understand how to use this therapeutic approach in clinical settings.

This week, as you explore CBT for groups, you compare CBT in group and family settings. You also develop diagnoses for clients receiving group psychotherapy and consider legal and ethical implications of counseling these clients.

Discussion: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Group Settings Versus Family Settings

As you might recall from Week 5, there are significant differences in the applications of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for families and individuals. The same is true for CBT in group settings and CBT in family settings. In your role, it is essential to understand these differences to appropriately apply this therapeutic approach across multiple settings. For this Discussion, as you compare the use of CBT in group settings and family settings, consider challenges of using this approach with your own groups.

Learning Objectives

Students Will:

  • Compare the use of cognitive behavioral therapy for groups to cognitive behavioral therapy for families
  • Analyze challenges of using cognitive behavioral therapy for groups
  • Recommend effective strategies in cognitive behavioral therapy for groups To prepare:
  • Reflect on your practicum experiences with CBT in group and family settings. 

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the Post to Discussion Question link and then select Create Thread to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking Submit!

By Day 3

Post an explanation of how the use of CBT in groups compares to its use in family settings. Provide specific examples from your own practicum experiences. Then, explain at least two challenges counselors might encounter when using CBT in the group setting. Support your response with specific examples from this week’s media.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues by recommending strategies to overcome the challenges your colleagues have identified. Support your recommendation with evidence-based literature and/or your own experiences with clients.

Assignment 1: Practicum – Week 8 Journal Entry

Learning Objectives

Students Will:

  • Develop effective documentation skills for group therapy sessions *
  • Develop diagnoses for clients receiving group psychotherapy *
  • Evaluate the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for groups *
  • Analyze legal and ethical implications of counseling clients with psychiatric disorders *

The Assignment related to this Learning Objective is introduced this week and submitted in Week 10.

Select two clients you observed or counseled this week during a group therapy session.

Note: The two clients you select must have attended the same group session.

Then, in your Practicum Journal, address the following:

  • Using the Group Therapy Progress Note in this week’s Learning Resources, document the group session.
  • Describe each client (without violating HIPAA regulations), and identify any pertinent history or medical information, including prescribed medications.
  • Using the DSM-5, explain and justify your diagnosis for each client.
  • Explain whether cognitive behavioral therapy would be effective with this group. Include expected outcomes based on this therapeutic approach.
  • Explain any legal and/or ethical implications related to counseling each client.
  • Support your approach with evidence-based literature.