Nurses and groups Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Nurses and groups - Essay Example No doubt, group therapy is capable of yielding â€Å"empowering experiences† to the patients and the group members can both â€Å"serve as change agents and facilitators† (Norcross & Goldfried, 2005, p. 366). Group therapies, in general, aim at promoting the self-esteem and emotional well-being of the participants and person centered group therapies rely on the potential of the clients to find solutions for their own problems. The therapist remains as a catalyst agent who initiates change among the group members through congruence, unconditional positive regard and empathy (Rogers, 1989). Studies have shown that person centered group therapies are highly beneficial to such groups of people who suffer from depression and substance abuse (Corey 2011). Similarly, people with depression are more likely to suffer from feelings of alienation, loneliness, and isolation and group therapies are capable of offering solace to them (Anxiety & Panic Disorders Health Center, 2012). T his paper seeks to design a six weeks person centered group therapy session for people with depression and in doing so the paper deals with the target population, outlines the purpose and objectives of the therapy sessions, explains the various theoretical aspects of the person centered therapy approach, analyses the role of the therapist as well as the group members during the therapy sessions, and finally evaluates the effectiveness of the group therapy on the people with depression. Methodology and target group for the therapy The target population for the person centered therapy consists of 30 people with depression who will randomly be selected. These target population can comprise of those who already undergo treatment for depression or those who are identified as depressed people. Six sessions of person centered group therapy will be administered on the target population. The goals and objectives of each therapeutic session will be determined beforehand. An evaluation regardi ng the accomplishment of these objectives will be done at the end of each session. At the end of all the therapy sessions an overall evaluation of the effectiveness of the person centered therapy on the participants will also be undertaken comparing and contrasting the physical and mental well being of each participants before and after the therapy sessions. The purpose and objectives of the therapy sessions The group therapy aims at the overall physical and mental well-being of all the participants. The ultimate aim of the therapy is to see the participants come out of their depressed state. For this, it is essential that the therapist creates an open and accepting climate within the group so as to promote positive self-concept, self-direction, self-acceptance, of self-respect and personal worth, and self-actualization among the participants. Similarly, following the key principles of person centered approach the therapist needs to maintain sense congruence, unconditional positive regard, and empathy towards the participants all throughout the therapeutic alliance. The objectives of each of the therapy sessions are briefly mentioned below: Session one: The first session of the therapy aims at building rapport and trust between the therapist and the participants.