Topic: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Group Settings Versus Family Settings

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Group Setting Versus Family Setting.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapeutic model that

emphasize attitude change to promote and maintain behavior modification (Wheeler,

2014). Studies have shown that CBT is effective in the treatment of emotional and

behavioral problems (Wheeler, 2014). This discussion will compare the use of CBT in

groups versus family settings, and challenges that counselors might encounter when

using CBT in the group setting.

The goals of both CBT in family and group are to be recognized maladaptive

patterns of thinking and acting, decrease the intensity and frequency of problematic

symptoms, develop adaptive responses, increase coping skills, and prevent relapse

(Haley, 2004). The use of CBT in group provides the group members with different

resources and lookouts; group members benefit by hearing other members share their

problem, even though they do not know each other the members feel a sense of

belonging because they feel that they are not alone, and they also learn problem

solving techniques from the other members in the group (Drab, 2016).

With the cognitive behavioral therapy in family settings, the family know each

other, is seen together for the entire session, and the therapeutic focus is placed on

the mutual action of family members’ cognitions and behavior (Friedberg, 2006).

Since the family know each other, some of the family members might not feel

comfortable in sharing their problem/problem. For example, during one of my

practicum experiences, CBT was used with a family that was seeking family counseling

for family problems. During the second session with the family, my preceptor and I

realized that their teenage daughter was not opening-up fully and a result, my

preceptor suggested that the teenager would be benefit from individual therapy. The

family agreed and after three individual therapy sessions, the teenager came and

joined her family and the outcome was positive this time around. It is important for a

clinician to put his/her eyes on each member of the family and notice how they

respond to each other (Friedberg, 2006).

Some of the challenges that counselors might encounter when using CBT in the

group setting are members dropout, and the need to attend to more than one

person’s reaction, thought, and feeling (Friedberg, 2006).

Challenges can arise from any settings regarding therapy therefore, it

important for counselors to remain professionals and keep the members focus on their

goals.

References

Drab, J. K. (2016). Applications of CBT In Group Therapies. Retrieved from

https://www.slideshare.net/kjdrab/applications-of-cbt-in-group-therapies

Friedberg, D. R. (2006). Cognitive-Behavioral Approach to Family Therapy. 36: 159-165

Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy. Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227224442

Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to

guide for evidence-based practice. New York, NY: Springer.