Paper Example on Therapeutic Groups for Children and Adolescents

Introduction

The growth and developmental phase of children are characterized by various challenges which include anxiety, self-esteem issues, mood swings, and general struggles to fit in the society. Individual therapy may address some of the issues between a therapist and the adolescent. However, it does not effectively address the problems faced when they interact in the external environment with their peers, for instance, at school. Group therapy facilitates the effective treatment of psychological conditions as a result of the social interaction of the adolescents with their peers. Therefore, group therapy is a source of support for children dealing with various mental health problems.

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Facilitating

My approach for facilitating the group therapy session for the adolescents under my instruction will be Structured Psychotherapy. The therapeutic sessions will be done manually and rolled over a period of 16 sessions to achieve the best results, with the therapy being facilitated at a residential treatment setting. The approach is based on the current millennial trends of the adolescents. The objectives to be met from this approach at the end of the therapeutic session include instilling self-awareness among the adolescents, achieving proper social cohesion, the creation of self-worth among the adolescents.

The structured approach in facilitating the group therapy session among the adolescents entails enabling the adolescents to be aware of their meaning thus gain self-worth and develop a positive image in themselves. This approach will enable me as the group leader to initiate discussion in the group pertaining to the challenge faced by the various group members. Moreover, the impact of the psychological problems presented to the adolescents will be related to their way of living. Some of the issues undertaken in the group discussions are designed to improve the social, emotional, behavioral, and academic state of the adolescents. Ongoing problems are the point of concern in this structured approach, for instance, continued stress, as experienced by the adolescents, is tackled during therapy. Continued challenges experienced by the adolescents and children impact on their feeling of self-awareness, self-worth, connection, somatization, and among other issues pertinent in their development of meaning in life. Adolescents are constantly trying to find themselves during the entire phase of growth and development during their interaction in the various systems of service they find themselves in, for instance, residential and school.

I will adopt the approach of structured psychotherapy in my therapeutic group of children and adolescents due to the effects associated with it. Low levels of dropouts characterize the approach, hence a great percentage of the adolescents having to complete the sessions and record significant improvement in their mental wellness.

The Theme of Trauma Eradication

Trauma can be considered to be the evidence and culmination of adolescents experiencing mental problems. Adolescents experiencing trauma experience a series of blows, which render them helpless as their coping mechanism to the external factors is extremely suppressed. Once the internal coping mechanism of the adolescents has been suppressed, the adolescents may experience bouts of trauma that could last either temporarily or several years. The adolescents will then have difficulty in conducting themselves as it is morally acceptable in the society, which will lead to conflict in their social setting. Trauma, as experienced by the adolescents, may be evidenced by characteristics which include experiencing memories repeatedly, repetitive abnormal behavior, fearing specific experiences or activities, conflict of attitude within their social setting. Therefore, trauma is the cause of the challenges experienced by adolescents during their interaction in the social systems.

As a group leader, my main concern is to develop psychiatric interventions directed towards eradication of trauma among the children and adolescents. Trauma is associated with the major issues affecting the adolescents which include the development of a proper relationship with their acquaintances, as the traumatized individuals will have difficulty communicating, establishing proper boundaries, choice of the right partner, among other factors. Trauma leads to a feeling of social alienation among adolescents as they feel as though they do not have meaning in the social setting; consequently, they develop low self-esteem issues. Effective intervention by the group leader will ensure instances of trauma are eradicated from the adolescents. Therefore, the challenges experienced by adolescents based on traumatic experiences will be eradicated. One particular strategy to eradicate trauma includes creating a warm environment among the members so they can share their traumatic experiences, hence accept themselves and begin to heal.

Similarities and Differences: Adolescents and Adult Therapy Groups

Both adolescents and adults are vulnerable to mental illness and find solace when they are put in the group therapy sessions, hence feel accepted. Adolescents frequently drop out of the therapeutic sessions, as they may be coerced to attend the sessions by their parents. However, most of the times adults sign up for the therapeutic sessions by their own free will, hence the high retention rate experienced in the adult therapeutic sessions.

Adolescents during group therapy sessions require a more structured approach as they are still trying to establish their meaning in life. The adolescents majorly are still incapable of making certain rational decisions, hence require strict and intensely regulated therapeutic sessions. Therefore, children and adolescents group therapy sessions may last longer whereas; adult therapeutic sessions often use the conventional methods which are less intensive. Adults are considered to be in control of their life; consequently, they can tell what they want in life. The adult therapeutic session may last half the time required for children and adolescents.

Conclusion

Children and adolescents increasingly experience bouts of mental illnesses which require psychotherapeutic assistance. Mental illnesses impact greatly on their social life as they interact with various systems daily. Structures therapeutic approach best facilitates therapeutic sessions for the adolescents as it works to identify the primary cause of mental health, trauma. Both adolescent and adults need intervention for mental challenges to find peace and improve their social life.

References

Corder, B. (1994). Structured adolescent psychotherapy groups. Sarasota, FL: Professional Resource Press.

Corder, B. (2000). Structured psychotherapy groups for sexually abused children and adolescents. Sarasota, Fla.: Professional Resource Press.

Hurley, k. (2018). What Your Child Can Gain from Group Therapy: Types of Therapy, Benefits, and When Not to Send Your Child to Group Therapy. Retrieved from https://www.psycom.net/group-therapy-children

MacLennan, B. (2000). The Future of Adolescent Psychotherapy Groups in the New Millenium. Child And Adolescent Group Therapy, 10.

Reimers, S. (2011). What's the difference between children and adults? Conflict, cooperation, and indifference in relationships between adult and children's therapeutic services. Journal Of Family Therapy, 34(2), 157-171. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6427.2011.00542.