The Therapist's Role in Group Therapy and Focusing on the Here and Now - Assignment Example

Explore at least four of the elements described in Chapter 6 and explain how you will implement them in a group setting of your choice.

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Group Norms

Here-and-now is based on the notion that the client's personal concerns will be considered in therapeutic relations. In group therapy, group norms entail the codes and guidelines of behavior which offer some rules and conformity to the group sessions. It also involves the group's anticipation, member objectives and goals, responsibilities of group members. Group norms are usually established subtly over time as per the nonverbal activities and anticipations which occur in the groups (Yalom & Leszcz, 1995). Implementing group norms would comprise of the orientation of members to the norms, inviting the members to collaborate towards building a common vision, highlighting the processes, maintaining consistent communication as well as allowing a regular evaluation on the norms.

Generating Trust

Establishing trust is key in group therapy because it enables common understanding among group members and the therapist. To generate trust among women with substance abuse disorder, its vital to have a strong belief that they would make efforts in setting goals, respond to each with equal care, and managing the emotions of the members.

Patterns of Resistance

As a group therapist, it is one's responsibility to facilitate group participation and help members identify their patterns of defensiveness. Members should also be enlightened on the various forms' resistance might take and teaching them to appreciate these diversities through use of effective models which help tackle the challenges.

Intermember feedback

Members should learn to give meaningful feedback to others. To implement this each member should also be prepared effectively to enhance correspondence in group sessions. Members will also decide how much to disclose.

What do you think would be the major challenges in implementing any of these elements you chose and why?

Time management during group sessions

Assessment of individual members and unison group learning

Process assessment and evaluation.

Implementing effective educating skills

How would you handle or address those challenges?

While group therapy may save time in handling common problems, it may consume more time in some areas for instance time required upfront to identify relevant therapy topics and group differences. Secondly, not all group therapists would teach all aspects of strong communication, conflict resolutions among other areas. One can be reluctant to stipulate time to reinforce these skills and handling all the interpersonal skills in a group can be overwhelming. Group therapist would devote proactive approaches to handling these challenges. To assess group dynamics, effective monitoring, and evaluation program which requires thoughtful consideration of learning goals and multifaceted approach.

How would you ensure that diversity was supported in the group with the elements you are focusing on?

Firstly, communication would be the key element t achieve diversity. I would ensure each member understands procedures, guidelines, and other relevant issues. Secondly, they are facing similar challenges and the approaches selected to be free from prejudice. No assumptions should be made especially in regards to the group members backgrounds. Members should not judge others based on their ethnicity or any form of discrimination should be averted. Criteria should be the same for all of the members and there should be no excuses for their avoidable shortcomings. It is every therapist's responsibility to enhance members understanding of their own experiences. Through an open-mindedness approach, one should promote diversity to attain group objectives.

How would the elements you are focusing on assist you in demonstrating empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills in this particular group setting?

For a group to be effective all the elements of here-and-now are vital and should focus on interpersonal skills, empathy, and reflection. The experience of here-and-now enables members to attain full involvement in group activities. As such, their emotional input would be high which offers a great opportunity to meet them at their points of need. Group norms help a therapist to utilize empathetic and affirming sentiments which encourages group members to achieve their goals and objectives. Members develop a sense of unity and acceptance towards achieving a noble course. Patterns of resistance help a therapist to identify the best model to create a priority framework.

Identify and address ethical issues that relate to the use of the here and now and four related elements, challenges, tricky issues, diversity concerns, or other matters that you anticipate might arise. Use the NASW Code of Ethics at http://www.socialworkers.org for this section of your paper.

Code of ethics might not guarantee ethical behavior. It might resolve many of the ethical issues but not all. Therapists ethical behavior should display their ethical commitment to establish relevant ethics. The NASW code of ethics highlights the commitment of all the social workers in their obligation to perform ethically ("Code of Ethics", n.d.). As such, the standards and guidelines should be established by individuals of proper character who strive to make an ethical decision. With the technological advancement, there have cropped new challenges in service delivery which may occur in connection to informed consent, record keeping, confidentiality, professional competencies and boundaries and many more ("Code of Ethics", n.d.). Therapists comprehend that relationships among members are a primary tool for change. It is anticipated that the group leader to utilize this tool to strengthen the relationship ties to promote maintain and enhance the welfare of each individual.

References

Yalom, I., & Leszcz, M. (1995). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (4th ed.). New York, NY: Basic Books.

Code of Ethics. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics