NRNP – 6650: Group Therapy With Older Adults

Group therapy with older adults, like group therapy with children and adolescents, presents unique challenges. Many older adults have had a lifetime of not sharing their inner feelings with others, and they are often fearful of being judged. However, when the group setting is properly facilitated, older adults may embrace the setting, find comfort in their peers, and benefit from this therapeutic approach. In your role, how might you maximize the benefits of group therapy for your older adult clients?

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This week, you wil complete your Final Exam.

Learning Resources

Required Readings

American Nurses Association. (2014). Psychiatric-mental health nursing: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Standard 7 “Ethics” (pages 67-68)

Bonhote, K., Romano-Egan, J., & Cornwell, C. (1999). Altruism and creative expressions in a long-term older adult psychotherapy group. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 20(6), 603–617. doi:10.1080/016128499248394

Altruism and Creative Expressions in a Long-term Older Adult Psychotherapy Group by Bonhote, K.; Romano-Egan, J.; Cornwell, C., in Issues in Mental Health Nursing, Vol. 20/Issue 6. Copyright 1999 by Taylor & Francis Inc. Reprinted by permission of Taylor & Francis Inc. via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Cheston, R., & Jones, R. (2009). A small-scale study comparing the impact of psycho-education and exploratory psychotherapy groups on newcomers to a group for people with dementia. Aging & Mental Health, 13(3), 420-425. doi:10.1080/13607860902879409

Krishna, M., Honagodu, A., Rajendra, R., Sundarachar, R., Lane, S., & Lepping, P. (2013). A systematic review and meta-analysis of group psychotherapy for sub-clinical depression in older adults. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 28(9), 881–888. doi:10.1002/gps.3905

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Group Psychotherapy for Sub-clinical Depression in Older Adults by Krishna, M.; Honagodu, A.; Rajendra, R.; Sundarachar, R.; Lane, S.; Lepping, P., in International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Vol. 28/Issue 9. Copyright 2013 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Reprinted by permission of John Wiley & Sons Ltd. via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Krishna, M., Jauhari, A., Lepping, P., Turner, J., Crossley, D., & Krishnamoorthy, A. (2011). Is group psychotherapy effective in older adults with depression? A systematic review. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 26(4), 331–340. doi:10.1002/gps.2546

Is Group Psychotherapy Effective in Older Adults with Depression? A Systematic Review by Krishna, M.; Jauhari, A.; Lepping, P.; Turner, J.; Crossley, D.; Krishnamoorthy, A., in International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Vol. 26/Issue 4. Copyright 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Reprinted by permission of John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Rice, A. (2015). Common therapeutic factors in bereavement groups. Death Studies, 39(3), 165-172. doi:10.1080/07481187.2014.946627

Wang, C., Tzeng, D., & Chung, W. (2014). The effect of early group psychotherapy on depressive symptoms and quality of life among residents of an apartment building for seniors. Psychogeriatrics: The Official Journal of the Japanese Psychogeriatric Society, 14(1), 38-46. doi:10.1111/psyg.12037

Watkins, R., Cheston, R., Jones, K., & Gilliard, J. (2006). ‘Coming out’ with Alzheimer’s disease: Changes in awareness during a psychotherapy group for people with dementia. Aging & Mental Health, 10(2), 166-176. doi:10.1080/13607860500312209

Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice. New York, NY: Springer.

Chapter 18, “Psychotherapy with Older Adults” (pp. 62–660)

Week 7: Group Processes

Group therapy is an effective treatment option for a wide range of disorders and is much more cost-efficient than individual therapy. As a result, many insurance companies are showing preference for group therapy over individual therapy. This has led to more therapists including group therapy in their practices, making it very likely that you will facilitate group therapy in the future. To successfully develop groups and apply this therapeutic approach, it is essential for you to have an understanding of group processes and formation.

This week, as you examine group processes and stages of formation, you explore curative factors of groups and strategies for managing intragroup conflict.

Learning Resources

Required Readings

American Nurses Association. (2014). Psychiatric-mental health nursing: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Standard 5G “Therapeutic Relationship and Counseling” (page 62)

Crane-Okada, R. (2012). The concept of presence in group psychotherapy: An operational definition. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 48(3), 156-164. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6163.2011.00320.x

Lerner, M. D., McLeod, B. D., & Mikami, A. Y. (2013). Preliminary evaluation of an observational measure of group cohesion for group psychotherapy. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(3), 191-208. doi:10.1002/jclp.21933

Nicholson, R. (2002). The dilemma of psychotherapy notes and HIPAA. Journal of AHIMA, 73(2), 38–39. Retrieved from http://library.ahima.org/doc?oid=58162#.V5J0__krLZ4http://library.ahima.org/doc?oid=58162#.V5J0__krLZ4

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.). HIPAA privacy rule and sharing information related to mental health. Retrieved March 18, 2017, from http://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/mental-health/

Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (5th ed.). New York, NY: Basic Books.

The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy, 5th Edition by Yalom, Irvin D. ; Leszcz, Molyn. Copyright 2005 by Hachette Books Group. Reprinted by permission of Hachette Books Group via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (5th ed.). New York, NY: Basic Books.

Chapter 5, “The Therapist: Basic Tasks” (pp. 117–140)

Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (5th ed.). New York, NY: Basic Books.

Chapter 8, “The Selection of Clients” (pp. 231–258)

Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2005). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (5th ed.). New York, NY: Basic Books.

Chapter 9, “The Composition of Therapy Groups” (pp. 259–280)

Required Media

Psychotherapy.net (Producer). (2011a). Group therapy: A live demonstration. [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Author.

The approximate length of the video is 202 minutes. In preparation for this week’s Assignment, be sure to watch Parts 1 and 2 of this video.

Optional Resources

American Counseling Association (Producer). (2015). Leading counseling groups with adults: A demonstration of the art of engagement. [Video file]. Alexandria, VA: Author.