Read and provide follow-up responses to classmates’ initial answers or responses that integrate course theories with a practical application of the subject, offering a personal observation or experience, or referencing real-world examples, current events,

Counseling approaches vary in terms of how much emotion to encourage. Group therapy ranges from polite discussion to frustrated and aggressive interaction. Discuss how you will handle and address group counseling within the range of these emotional expressions. 

Re: Topic 4 DQ 1

One of the hardest things as a counselor is managing a group or individual session. When you have an individual, you must watch their body language. Do you want to hear their positive side of things or do you want to just start with what drew them to their addiction to what makes them happy? In a group session, you should start with positive things first then lead into what caused their addiction. As a counselor, you must have the capability of identifying negative thinking patterns and restore them with positive thinking patterns.

In Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), it helps a counselor turn negative patterns into a more joyful one. According, to Chloe Carmichael, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in New York, a cognitive characteristic is concerned to be “dampening”. In a session, I would first have given everyone notepad and pen and must list the one thing that would cause them to become upset or cause them to have a setback. Next, I would have the group to come up with ways to turn their negative problems into a positive thinking, which is believing to comfort unhappiness. A third approach I would try is using voice to relax the group, this helps them to deal with their obstacles more energetically. Lastly, I would end each session with a positive note and have each person to say what they are grateful for. Carmichael believes that is you list things that you are grateful that this could shed light on bigger and better things for you as you journey down the road to recovery.

 

Anderson, J. (2014, June 12). 5 Get-Positive Techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Retrieved November 23, 2018, from https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/major-depression-living-well/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-techniques/

Dillon, S. (2018, June 29). A List of Skills Needed to Become an Effective Counselor. Retrieved November 23, 2018, from https://work.chron.com/list-skills-needed-become-effective-counselor-5100.html

My response:

Good evening Yolanda

Re: Topic 4 DQ 1

Politeness in group therapy will be expected in any group therapy sessions that I participate in. Frustration among some of the clients is to be expected too. To a certain point, I am even OK with aggression. The group needs to be kept in a “positive” place by the group administrator. Frustrated or aggressive clients may need to be reminded that the group is a positive place that is designed to help everyone. I feel that negative emotions have a place in group therapy, however personal attacks do not.

Emotions play a big part in substance abuse recovery. I plan on encouraging emotions in my group sessions. Anxiety and fear can lead to avoidance and impairment (Daley & Douaihy, 2012). Anger can lead to substance abuse or violence (Daley & Douaihy, 2012). Emotions help us to adapt, protect, enrich our lives and relationships. They can also help or hurt the client’s chances of substance abuse recovery. We must show our clients how to identify high risk emotions and provide them with coping skills. They must also understand that covering up their emotions by using a substance is never the right answer.

References Daley, D., & Douaihy, A. (2012, May 9). Managing Emotions in Recovery. Retrieved from ctndisseminationlibrary.org: http://ctndisseminationlibrary.org/webinars/2012emotions.pdf

 My response:

Good evening George

Re: Topic 4 DQ 1

I think it’s important for group members to speak their mind. Throughout the process of recovery, there will be highs and lows. Times when participants are having good times and then times when they are feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. However, it’s just as important to keep in mind that groups need to provide a “safe and stable environment”. Keeping the group consistent and on track will help provide stability especially to the newly recovering clients (Rockville, 2005).

I have sat in during several groups, some seem very calm and everyone is in sync with each other while other groups are very full of energy, both positive and negative. I don’t think that negative energy is always bad because it may be the way the person is able to get their frustration out and once it’s out then we as counselors can help the client deal with their frustration. Because we deal with a vast variety of ages, culture and ethnic background, we must focus on what is being said in the group and be able to identify the root cause. I think keeping the group respectful to one another is imperative because we don’t want anyone to stop coming but at the same time, we have to encourage people to get their feelings out. I would encourage talking but it would have to be respectful. If at any time a client becomes belligerent or just off track, I would help them by reminding them that respect is first and there are several different ways to get their point across without using profanity or upsetting others.

Rockville. (2005). 6 Group Leadership, Concepts, and Techniques. Substance Abuse Treatment: Group Therapy. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64211

My response:

Good evening Candice