Creating an Effective Group Therapy Environment for Adults Essay

Group therapy is an important method that is commonly used by psychiatric professionals in the treatment of many types of mental illnesses. They consist of three or more people and are targeted at promoting psychological development and change. There are three different types of groups. The task group works by using tasks, such as activities and techniques, designed to help clients work toward desired goals. In addition, midrange groups work by allowing clients to share their thoughts and feelings with others who have learned to cope with similar problems over a longer period of time. Lastly, process groups work by allowing clients to work on their communicating patterns, skills and methods (Fortinash & Holoday Worrett, 2008). Task groups consist of activity therapies, which include occupational, psychodrama, music, dance, and art. These activities are used to allow clients to safely express themselves in a positive and constructive manner. They also promote social skills, and are led by occupational and art therapists (Montgomery, 2002). Midrange groups include educational, problem-solving and support groups. They include anger management, AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), NA (Narcotics Anonymous), and cognitive-behavioral groups. These groups allow clients to surround themselves with others, who are dealing with similar issues and are supportive of one another. This prevents the client a sense of loneliness when dealing with their struggles and allows them to openly express themselves. Another type of midrange group called psychoeducational, works by allowing newly diagnosed clients to gain knowledge and effective coping skills. These skills are obtained by working with others who have prior knowledge of similar issues or experi... ...Leadership, Concepts, and Techniques. Web. 20 March 2015 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64211/ Fortinash, K.M. & Holoday Worrett, P.A. (2008). Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (4th edition). St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby. Leszcz, M. & Kobos, J.C. (2007). PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR GROUP. Web. 20 March 2015 http://www.agpa.org/guidelines/AGPA%20Practice%20Guidelines%202007-PDF.pdf Montgomery, C. (2002). Role of dynamic group therapy in psychiatry. Web. 20 March 2015 http://apt.rcpsych.org/content/8/1/34.full.pdf+html Toseland, R.W. & Rivas, R.F. (2005). AN INTRODUCTION TO GROUP WORK PRACTICE, (5th edition). Web. 20 March 2015 http://vig.pearsonptr.com:8081/samplechapter/0205376061.pdf Wise, J.E. (2009). Book essays and reviews. Psychodynamic group psychotherapy, fourth edition. Psychiatry: Interpersonal & Biological Processes, 72(3), 299-302.