Analyzing and Understanding Concepts of Group Therapy

¶ … Group Therapy

Self-cutting

Factors that augment risks of self-cutting

Treatment of Self-Cutting

Group Therapy

Aims of Group Therapy

Aspects of Group Therapy

The aim of this research is to investigate and identify opinions regarding vital elements for successful group therapy and to suggest the distinguished elements as guiding principles for future group counselling guidelines, theoretical as well as program development. Therapists are to recognize the essential factors of group therapy, which contribute to positive therapeutic results. The important elements of group therapy established by the board of professionals shall be suggested as guiding principles for future group therapy, theoretical and program development (Edwards, 2001).

Introduction

Group therapy is a type of psychotherapy whereby one or more therapists attend to a tiny group of patients together as a group. It entails one or more psychologists that head a group of approximately five to fifteen clients. In the same milieu, group counselling is frequently viewed as the most helpful alternative for most student concerns. Group therapy is simply a procedure distinguished by different stages and corresponding therapeutic tasks. Therapists that have an understanding of these stages and their core dynamics have an advantage in encouraging their groups through the difficult, and at times, confusing nature of group work. Group counselling is a type of psychotherapy that normally entails one or two skilled group therapists and four to ten patients. Almost all therapy groups get together every week at the same time for around two hours. Whereas the phrase could technically be used on any type of psychotherapy that is administered to a group, it is majorly associated with a particular type of therapy that utilizes the group dynamic. Having therapy in a group environment could have numerous advantages as it provides a support network and chance of meeting others going through the same issues. In cooperation with the therapist and other members of the group, you ought to be encouraged to share your experiences and work towards understanding yourself more. Groups normally meet for a specified amount of time. Most groups are designed to target a particular concern, like obesity, social anxiety, depression, and substance abuse, among others. Other groups generally concentrate more on enhancing social skills and assisting individuals handle a variety of issues like loneliness, anger, low self-esteem, and shyness. Groups frequently assist those that have encountered a loss of any kind, for instance, a child or even a spouse (Group therapy, 2015).

Self-cutting

"Non-suicidal"-"self-directed"-violence (SDV) is also known as "non-suicidal"-"self-injury" (NSSI) or "deliberate-self-harm" (DSH) (Crosby et al., 2011). Cutting happens to be a common way of self-harm and takes place repeatedly, thus it is never a one-time incident. Usually, cutting takes place through the use of sharp objects, like razors, sharp stones, knives, and broken glass. Nevertheless, when such items are not available, people will use different objects/methods in breaking their skin:

1. Pencil erasers (via hard rubbing)

1. Deep scratching (to draw blood)

1. Pinching

1. Punching oneself

1. Skin burning

1. Biting

The normal cut sites within the body include wrists, arms, lower legs and ankles. However, there are other hidden sites which can include inner thighs, abdomen, genitals, feet, and under breasts or arms. The marks left after the cuts are normally well hidden to ensure the behaviour continues without hindrance. Normally, self-cutting is linked to various psychiatric difficulties (Muehlenkamp et al., 2012) and takes place as primarily means of coping with painful emotions (Ferrales & Koukel, n.d).

Individuals who engage in NSSI usually do so with the aim of escaping from the feelings of being trapped by intolerable psychological as well as emotional situations that make them feel powerless. To such individuals, cutting offers temporary respite from agitation and anxiety, or offers respite from negative feelings, like low self-esteem, depression, emotional numbness, apathy toward life and hopelessness. As well, self-cutting can result in feelings of self-efficacy or being in control of a situation. This self-harming behaviour has been acknowledges as being addictive since it involves an overwhelming obsession with the respite experienced following the cutting incident. A number of researchers believe that an individual who self-injures can also be experiencing continued desire to indulge in the body's natural feel good chemicals known as endorphins that are released when the individual cuts the skin. Endorphins generate natural feelings of happiness (Ferrales & Koukel, n.d).

Factors that augment risks of self-cutting

Mayo Clinic in 2012 indicated that certain factors can raise the risk associated with self-cutting and self-injury. Such include:

1. Gender: Females seem to be at a greater risk of engaging self-cutting compared to males.

1. Age: Self-injury usually begins as a teenager.

1. Friends: staying close to friends or people who engage in self-cut.

1. Life issues: Engaging in unstable relationships or experienced traumatic occurrences.

1. Mental health issues: Self-cutters usually have reduced coping skills and mental health disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress).

1. Excessive drug or alcohol use: Self-cutters usually harm themselves under influence of drugs or alcohol (Ferrales & Koukel, n.d).

Treatment of Self-Cutting

Self-cutting individuals need a competent mental health professional to help them. They have to seek professional help sooner than later; talk to local public health department or family doctor in establishing a mental health treatment program. Preferably, a therapist who is experienced in self-cutting is required. Treatments forms include:

1. Group therapy

1. Individual therapy

1. Family therapy

1. Medication (like antidepressants)

1. In-patient hospitalization

1. 12-step programs (treating SDV as an addiction)

1. Stress management and stress reduction skills (Ferrales & Koukel, n.d)

People who engage self-injury may not be aware of better ways of getting respite from emotional pressure or pain. Some individuals cut as a way of expressing the strong feelings of sorrow, rage, rejection, longing, desperation, or emptiness. There are various other ways of coping with difficulties, even huge problems and awful emotional pain. Help of mental health professionals are needed in helping such individuals deal with major life struggles or devastating emotions. In such tough situations, talk such problems with parents, or other adults, or friends can help put thing in perspective (Lyness, 2015).

Group Therapy

Descriptions regarding group therapy initially appeared in the literature as group counselling and therapy. Therapists that apply a solution-oriented therapy approach have a clear understanding of how a group could almost exponentially increase possible solutions to the existing concerns. Also, a group that concentrates on strengths and resources actually feels better than both the patient and clinician. Solution-focused group therapy develops a surrounding whereby clients get enthused upon learning about hidden strengths together with unrecognized internal solutions. In addition, this increased application of group therapy format is developing some fascinating changes concerning the manner through which group therapy is given. Whereas solution focused therapy has obtained recognition for its work with people, minimal attention has been provided to its application in group therapy formats. Initially, solution focused therapy was welcomed with a lot of opposition because of the notions, assumptions and techniques, which challenged traditional therapy values. Self-harm could actually be a way of dealing with issues in group therapy. It might assist you convey emotions that cannot be verbally conveyed, distract you from your life, or release emotional hurt. You shall probably feel better afterwards; for a little while. However, the painful emotions return and you will feel the longing to hurt yourself again. In case you want to stop but you just do not know how, remember that you deserve to feel better and you could actually get there without having to hurt yourself. Self-harm is simply a means of conveying and handling deep stress and emotional pain. As absurd as it might sound to those on the outside, hurting yourself makes one feel better. You might actually feel like you have no alternative. Hurting yourself is the only way you know how to deal with emotions such as sadness, guilt, rage, and emptiness. Once individuals learn how to freely interact with other members of the group, they have a tendency of recreating the same interaction patterns, which have proven to be difficult to them outside the group. The group therapy environment offers a secure confine to experiment with other ways of treating yourself and others that might be more fulfilling. Most individuals feel like they are in some way strange or eerie because of their issues or the way they feel; it is quite encouraging to get to know that other individuals have similar challenges, and could actually grow past them (Metcalf, 1998).

Once individuals start interacting freely with other members of the group, they have a tendency of recreating the same interaction patterns that they encounter outside the group. This establishes the chance for useful change or increased self-acceptance. With the assistance of group leaders, members get to know how their actions impact others. The group becomes a secure place to try out other ways of treating one's self and others. Majority of us feel that we are in one or another strange eerie or that some aspect of ourselves appears unacceptable because of our issues, thoughts, or feelings. It is quite encouraging and humane to know that there are others who experience the same challenges, thoughts, and feelings as you. The focus moves from viewing ourselves as defective to learning how to live our lives as richly and fully as we can. However, the relief that comes from self-harming does not last quite long. Self-harm is greatly associated with borderline personality, given that self-harm is amidst the nine diagnostic criteria for the condition. People, that are bipolar, have other personality conditions, or that encounter anxiety, depression, psychosis, or manic episodes might be more likely to carry out acts of self-injury than others. Childhood trauma like severe neglect or abuse might also be a risk factor, and research reveals that self-harm is also common amidst people that have an eating disorder. The reasons for self-injurious desires are, however, not generally agreed upon. People who harm themselves frequently report feelings of loneliness, a lack of ability to convey their emotions, and hardships in every kind of relationship. Others might injure themselves in an effort to deal with stress or emotional distress. Self-harm may follow a path similar to that of a drug or alcohol addiction. The behaviour might also follow a cycle: for instance, an individual might feel anxiety, followed by impulse, resistance, tension, and finally release, that might be followed by disgrace and then anxiety once more. he/she might feel that burning, cutting, or other actions entailing physical pain are the only means of alleviating these emotions. A person that self-harms might have regular accidents, seeming or claiming to be awkward so as to explain bruises or wounds. he/she might put on concealing attire, even in warm weather, appear aggravated, have sharp objects in their personal belongings with no clear explanation, and opt to be alone for long durations of time. A self-harming individual might also encounter hardship functioning at school or work and display low self-esteem. Self-harming could be scary for the individual conducting the act of self-harm and for those around him/her. Some of the individuals that cut, or in other words injure themselves, take great caution to evade serious injury or infection through utilizing sterile blades, carefully cleaning their wounds, evading major muscles and blood vessels, and using bandages. Other individuals might, however, fail to take such measures and seriously injure themselves. Either way, habitual self-harm could present risks to the health and functioning of an individual in both the long and short-term (Smith & Segal, 2016).

Aims of Group Therapy

Group therapy and individual therapy are similar in some ways and the aims are normally alike. However, with group therapy, the therapist might make use of the group dynamic to meet these aims in a different manner (Fehr, 2012). Generally, the aims of the group include:

1. To assist individuals identify maladaptive behaviour

Being in a group setting in a therapy surrounding could help individuals in identifying their own traits and differences better. Given that there is room for compassion, you might find out that you are not perhaps as adaptive as you might like. Group therapy seeks to assist individuals view themselves as well as their behaviours more clearly (Fehr, 2012).

1. To assist with emotional difficulties via feedback

Talking about emotional challenges with your group members and therapist provides you with extensive response. This response could actually be advice from the therapist or even useful advice from your fellow group members that have encountered a similar issue themselves. The objective is to assist you get familiar with your own coping techniques so that you can deal with things if or when issues arise (Fehr, 2012).

1. To provide a supportive environment

Group therapy is not just a chance to gain feedback and advice, but also a chance of reaching out and supporting others. What is talked about in your therapy sessions is done so in confidence. Talking to individuals that are experiencing similar problems to yourself also helps you feel more encouraged and less segregated (Fehr, 2012).

Aspects of Group Therapy

Even though group therapy can technically be applied to different approaches as well as several issues, there are particular regions, which might specifically benefit from a group dynamic. Below are some of such aspects: