Posted: July 3rd, 2020
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in families
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in families serves to enhance familial relationships while lowering the expense to maintain these relationships (Nichols & Davis, 2020). Members of the family work together to achieve unified happiness. Within groups, CBT acts to change thinking by systematic experiences either in gathering or in vivo (Bjornsson et al., 2011). Group members are still assigned personalized homework assignments (Bjornsson et al., 2011). Furthermore, literature (2014) supported CBT in groups proved sufficient for those diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
I am currently doing pairs of two in my clinical experience. CBT for one couple allowed each individual to consider the wants and needs of the other which lead to each individual feeling served in their relationship. Of course, each person expressed more feelings of happiness and intimacy. Even though I have not to witness CBT in a group setting, I perceive a ripple effect. As other group members improve their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors others who appear to be lagging behind with experience a transference that they too will wish to have for themselves. People tend to go further with others. Unfortunately, counselors may find it challenging to effectively tailor homework to each individual and since everyone has unique feelings, the counselor may also find it challenging to cater to those who express more difficult emotions within the group.
References
Bjornsson, A. S., Bidwell, L. C., Brosse, A. L., Carey, G., Hauser, M., Seghete, K. L. M., … Craighead, W. E. (2011). Cognitive-behavioral group therapy versus group psychotherapy for social anxiety disorder among college students: a randomized controlled trial. Depression and Anxiety, 28(11), 1034–1042. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.20877
Nichols, M. P., & Davis, S. D. (2020). The essentials of family therapy. Pearson.
ŞAFAK, Y., KARADERE, M., ÖZDEL, K., ÖZCAN, T., TÜRKÇAPAR5, M., KURU, E., & YÜCENS, B. (2014). The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Group Psychotherapy For Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Turkish Journal of Psychiatry, 25(4), 225–233. https://doi.org/ 10.5080/u7510