Discussion: Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Group Therapy with Children and Adolescents NRNP 6650

Discussion: Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Group Therapy with Children and
Adolescents
Group therapy may be beneficial for children and adolescents, because it often provides an
environment that normalizes clients’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. However, as with
any therapeutic approach, group therapy might not be appropriate for every client, every
setting, or even every therapist. When selecting therapies, you must always consider the
psychodynamics of the client and your own skill set.
This week, as you assess and develop diagnoses for clients presenting for child and
adolescent group psychotherapy, you examine the effectiveness of this therapeutic

approach. You also consider legal and ethical implications of counseling children and
adolescent clients with psychiatric disorders.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
 Assess clients presenting with disruptive behavior
 Analyze group therapeutic approaches for treating clients presenting with
disruptive behavior
 Evaluate outcomes for clients presenting with disruptive behavior
To prepare:
 Review this week’s Learning Resources and reflect on the insights they provide.
 Read the case study I am Feeling Like I’m Going Crazy
 For guidance on assessing the client, refer to pages 137-142 of the Wheeler text in
this week’s Learning Resources.
Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be
able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the Post to
Discussion Question link and then select Create Thread to complete your initial post.
Remember, once you click submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot
post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking Submit!
By Day 3
Post an explanation of the most likely DSM-5 diagnosis for the client in the case study. Be
sure to link those behaviors to the criteria in the DSM-5. Then, explain group therapeutic
approaches you might use with this client. Explain expected outcomes for the client based
on these therapeutic approaches. Finally consider legal and ethical implications of
counseling children and adolescent clients with psychiatric disorders. Support your
approach with evidence-based literature.
Read a selection of your colleagues' responses.
By Day 6
Respond to at least two of your colleagues by providing one alternative therapeutic
approach. Explain why you suggest this alternative and support your suggestion with
evidence-based literature and/or your own experiences with clients.
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:
Week 10 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 6

To participate in this Discussion:
Week 10 Discussion

Making Connections
Now that you have:
 Assessed and developed diagnoses for clients presenting for child and adolescent
group psychotherapy
 Considered legal and ethical implications of counseling children and adolescent
clients with psychiatric disorders
Next week, you will:
 Complete your Final Exam

To go to the next week:
Week 11

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Learning Resources
Required Readings

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

McGillivray, J. A., & Evert, H. T. (2014). Group cognitive behavioural therapy program
shows potential in reducing symptoms of depression and stress among young people with
ASD. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(8), 2041-2051. doi:10.1007/s10803-
014-2087-9

Restek-Petrović, B., Bogović, A., Mihanović, M., Grah, M., Mayer, N., & Ivezić, E. (2014).
Changes in aspects of cognitive functioning in young patients with schizophrenia during
group psychodynamic psychotherapy: A preliminary study. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry,
68(5), 333-340. doi:10.3109/08039488.2013.839738

Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-
to guide for evidence-based practice. New York, NY: Springer.
 Chapter 17, “Psychotherapy with Children” (pp. 597–624)
 Chapter 20, “Termination and Outcome Evaluation” (pp. 693–712)

Document: Group Therapy Progress Note

Document: I am Feeling Like I'm Going Crazy

Required Media

Microtraining Associates (Producer). (2009). Leading groups with adolescents [Video file].
Alexandria, VA: Author.

Psychotherapy.net (Producer). (2002). Adlerian parent consultation [Video file]. Mill Valley,
CA: Author.

The approximate length of this media pice is 117 minutes.
Optional Resources
Psychotherapy.net (Producer). (2012). Group counseling with adolescents: A multicultural
approach [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Author.

Discussion: Psychotherapeutic Approaches to Group Therapy with Children and Adolescents NRNP 6650