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In Chapter 1 of Yalom's text, we deep dive into the various concepts of group therapy. Specifically in regard to the eleven therapeutic factors. The chapter focuses on the first seven therapeutic factors, as Yalom left the last few to be discovered in chapter 4. As I read this chapter, it was enlightening to learn about the complexity, importance, and empowerment of Instillation of Hope, Universality, Imparting Information, Altruism, The Corrective Recapitulation of the Primary Family Group, the Development of Socializing Techniques, & Imitative Behavior.

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Two factors that stood out to me the most 

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Altruism, the ability to embody empathy for others and express compassion and grace toward others. Altruism within the group therapy process is a very deep and empowering concept. True altruism can reside in those who have greatly suffered, as they have so much value in supporting others that have endured similar situations, thus helping them navigate the healing process. To be altruistic is to be heroic. Our interconnectedness as humans is recognized in our Universality. Although we all navigate our own individual experiences, we are still "all on the same boat" at the end of the day. We are all human beings that feel the same emotions.

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"There is no human deed or thought that lies fully outside the experience of other people" (Yalom, Chapter 1).

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Upon reading this week's chapter of Yalom's text, I wanted to share a novel written by Dr. Yalom that I began reading last summer. This book is called "Love's Executioner" and discusses real-life cases of psychotherapy sessions that Dr. Yalom led himself. It provides the reader with exceptional insight into the world of psychotherapy on the individual level and within group therapy sessions. I highly recommend the read!

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Website of Irvin D. Yalom, Psychiatrist and Author.

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"Groups are often the setting in which new mindfulness and meditation based stress reduction approaches are taught" (Yalom, Chapter 1).

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The importance of Imparting Information is crucial during the healing process. The utilization of didactic instruction, psychodynamics and psychoeducation plays a pivotal role within this therapeutic factor. Mindfulness, to me, is something I truly enjoy and think is remarkable to educate others on- especially within the healing process!

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Book recommendation written by Dr. Yalom

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The Corrective Recapitulation of the Primary Family Group, The Development of Socializing Techniques, Imitative Behavior, & Instillation of Hope 

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Families, Imitation, Social Learning & Hope

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Families, Imitation, Social Learning & Hope

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The family dynamic is a beautiful consideration within the healing process of group therapy. Dr. Yalom emphasizes how our relationship with the members of the group are correlated with our relationships within our family bonds. Often, group therapy triggers these familial bonds with other members within the group. This is essential within the healing process by navigating and correcting outdated or negative patterns that were once expressed in our family dynamic, something individual therapy may not initially provoke.

Imitative Behavior and our development of social learning are remarkable factors discussed in chapter 1 of Dr. Yalom's text. It is natural to learn from our environment, especially from other people. These factors in therapy provide the individual with an opportunity to "unfreeze and experiment with new behavior" (Yalom, Chapter 1) by witnessing and imitating new ways to navigate the experience they are going through- often similar to the peers that surround them.

Lastly, Instillation of Hope can be recognized as a foundational component of the group therapy process. As the therapist believes in their client and paves the way for them to navigate what hope looks like, we can begin to unfold the effectiveness of what hope and faith can feel like and look like for others on their healing journey.

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Discussion 4: Peer-Led Substance Use Recovery Group for Middle-Aged Women in Rural Areas

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Peer-Led Substance Use Recovery Group: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy 

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Peer-Led Substance Use Recovery Group: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy 

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In creating an intervention for a substance use recovery group for middle-aged women in rural areas, it would first be ideal to create a Cognitive-Behavioral Group in the beginning of the group's recovery journey. This would look like the group prompting conversation around their thoughts, beliefs, actions, and behaviors regarding addiction, and a discussion of management strategies when it comes to addictive behaviors and the forming of new habits to avoid stimuli that enables such behaviors. The goal of this intervention is to enable new thinking patterns, beliefs, and perceptions of substance abuse while creating impactful bonds among the group members on their journey of recovery.

Reference:

Substance Abuse Treatment: Group Therapy. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2005. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 41.) 2 Types of Groups Commonly Used in Substance Abuse Treatment. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64214/

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Intervention Part 2: Interpersonal Process Group Psychotherapy

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Peer-Led Substance Use Recovery Group: Interpersonal Process Psychotherapy

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Peer-Led Substance Use Recovery Group: Interpersonal Process Psychotherapy

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Upon learning about the Interpersonal Process model, I believe this would be another ideal intervention for this group. As Interpersonal Process therapy utilizes psychodynamics, this would allow for the group members to recognize healthy vs unhealthy behavior habits within their life. Additionally, members would have the opportunity to reflect and share their personal history with members of the group. This includes one's biology, early childhood, culture, environment, psychological state, and spiritual beliefs. This would allow the women of the group to have a sense of relatedness as they all reside in similar rural populations, while enhancing new perspectives to promote growth and healing on their recovery journey.

Reference:

Substance Abuse Treatment: Group Therapy. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2005. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 41.) 2 Types of Groups Commonly Used in Substance Abuse Treatment. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64214/

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Intervention Part 3: Communal & Culturally Specific Groups

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Peer-Led Substance Use Recovery Group: Communal & Culturally Specific Group intervention

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Peer-Led Substance Use Recovery Group: Communal & Culturally Specific Group intervention

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Lastly, in creating an intervention for middle-aged women from a rural population, I would implement cultural strength-focused activities within treatment. The importance of keeping one's culture valued and validated is crucial in the healing process. Within this intervention, the clinician can create culturally aligned wellness activities to enhance healing during substance treatment. By prompting the group to engage in conversation relating to their culture, this can promote a sense of oneness and provide extra support and safety for this specific group on their healing journey. Additionally, it allows for important conservation surrounding addiction patterns within their community and how this can trickle from a macro level down to the micro level for these individuals seeking substance use treatment. Such risk factors can include one's socioeconomic status, cultural discrimination, poverty, or unemployment.

Reference:

Substance Abuse Treatment: Group Therapy. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2005. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 41.) 2 Types of Groups Commonly Used in Substance Abuse Treatment. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64214/