Psychology and Group Analysis

Group Sessions In an ideal situation, termination takes place at the juncture, wherein, mutually-established goals are reached, or the issue that brought the client to counseling gets resolved or, at least, more controllable. Termination marks the ultimate step in counseling, though this mustn't be mentioned in the final (or second-last) meeting with the patient. Doing so would inhibit both parties from having sufficient time to grasp the full significance of termination, cope with the counseling relationship's end (in the client's case), and decide upon transitioning or follow-up meetings required.

Termination must be one of the foremost matters discussed between a client and counselor. According to Kramer (1990), therapists have to explicitly state, right from the initial meeting with client, (unless mitigating circumstances exist), that the treatment goal is to facilitate the client's functioning without therapist aid. A counselor has the ethical responsibility of clarifying before clients the amount of time they will be able to receive counsel, openly discussing therapist-client relationship timeline, and making suitable recommendations or referrals during termination.

The client has to be ready to face this phase of the counseling process; the therapist must, early into counseling, address this phase in order to prevent desertion (Moving toward termination of therapy, n.d). Dropping out of counseling before the client's condition improves or gets completely cured may, in case of some clients, pose severe outcomes. Group agreements must explicitly outline all reporting prerequisites, as well as consequences determined by the referring party.

Group members must have a clear understanding of the types of behaviors and actions that may result in premature termination. Group members may be summoned to look into a request of any member to quit. Furthermore, clients wishing to leave the group may be questioned by the leader to identify themselves as fleers, completers, or plateauers. In case a client is labeled a 'fleer', he/she may be posed a conjectural question regarding what, according to their perception, they would have worked on had they not terminated.

This sort of question may help reveal what issue the client fleeing from the group desperately wishes to avoid. No matter what steps a counselor may take to ensure that nobody quits prematurely, there are some clients suffering substance abuse issues who will ultimately quit group therapy hastily; the potential reasons are many. Groups must be warned beforehand of the unexpected changes that may transpire; group leaders must also be equipped to assist members in dealing with change, when it occurs (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2005a).

Drug Abuse It is imperative for therapists to convey to clients a feeling of partnership and collaboration in the therapist-client relationship. There are three means by which this may be accomplished. First, the therapist must have extensive knowledge regarding drug dependency and drug addicts' lifestyles. Secondly, irrespective of the therapists' expertise in his/her profession, it must be realized that the 'expert', when it comes to the client's life, can be none other than the client himself.

Therapists need to be attentive to clients, lend them a sympathetic ear, and take care not to pass any judgment. Lastly, the therapist must communicate to clients that they have partnered with to assist them in their endeavors of quitting addiction. The client-counselor relationship must be collaborative in nature. Often, the best interventions in cultivating a robust therapeutic bond entail active listening on counselor's part, and putting emphasis on collaboration.

For instance, following relapse by the client, the therapist may emphatically suggest a joint analysis of what occurred, and mutual development of a plan for avoiding a repetition of the relapse. This sort of talk would underscore the combined effort that characterizes the therapeutic relationship. If, at first, the bond appears weak, the therapist may find it useful to merely question the client regarding what shortfalls he/she perceives in their therapeutic relationship. The counselor's receptiveness to client feedback and willingness to make necessary changes is crucial (Mercer, n.d).

Sexual Abuse An experience of sexual assault may alter an individual's sense of self, as well as that of others. The victim might not feel the same way he/she did prior to being assaulted, whether physically, sexually, emotionally, or socially. Counseling may assist a victim in coping with related issues and recuperate.

Group counseling offers clients a chance to share their feelings with fellow survivors; also, though different group members have different recovery speeds, group therapy delivers an environment for victims to share personal traumatic experiences, together with recovery strategies. Several group members are motivated and inspired by fellow victims' stories, and acquire a unique sort of support, which helps in transitioning back to the life they lived prior to the incident (Safe Horizon, n.d). Abortion In abortion cases, the counselor cannot find sufficient time for in-depth counseling.

One of the dreadful aspects of an unintended pregnancy is the rather short time a person has to make critical decisions, thus, it proves tricky to look into the jumble of fears and doubts of a woman. Some women do approach more formal counselors after their initial run-through with counseling, but this is often done with regard to other life issues. While there is no way to reverse an accidental pregnancy, offering the option for an abortion does accord a woman some measure of relief from the problem.

One cannot reverse the accidental nature of the pregnancy, or the fact that the woman couldn't or didn't wish for the baby. The important thing is for the woman to have a chance to mull over her decision, finalize on it and come to terms with the decision, thus, in abortion clinics, the therapist cannot offer unbiased advice. The counseling provided here is for giving women, who are apprehensive of society's reaction, the strength to be confident about their decision.

The key thing is supporting them in whatever choice they have ultimately made; if needed, they must be given counseling at another time, off site, in case they wish to discuss whether they desire an abortion or not. Women seek a friendly face -- somebody who will empathize and explain all to them. They will seek a person with whom they aren't embarrassed to pose their queries and obtain a reply (Holden, Russell & Paterson, n.d). Group Session Termination Plan The major tasks involve helping individuals to: 1.

Make an overall assessment of their situation and how far they have progressed. 1. Ascertain targets, the commitment that must be made, and what must be done to attain them. The goals set may be for the overall group, for an individual to be done on the group's behalf, or personal aims for group members (in relation to their respective problems). 1. Direct session ending. Counselors must assist members in accomplishing session tasks -- and readying themselves for the next step. 1.

Convey to individuals the time remaining for session completion (5 minutes prior to ending). 1. Ensure that counselor queries or member contributions don't raise any major questions that require immediate addressing. 1. Thank participants for coming. 1. Summarize what promise has been made. 1. Schedule the next meeting (if any) and decide.