NRNP 6650 Psychotherapy With Groups and Families
NRNP 6650 Psychotherapy With Groups and Families
Week 1: Legal and Ethical Considerations for Group and Family Therapy
Members of a cohesive group feel warmth and comfort in the group and a sense of belongingness; they value the group and feel in turn that they are valued, accepted, and supported by other members.
—Irvin D. Yalom, The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy
Laureate Education (Producer). (2017). Introduction to psychotherapy with groups and families [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 2 minutes.
Accessible player
Group and family therapy offers a unique sense of community and support that may not be achieved through other therapeutic approaches. As you help clients effect change within themselves, they are able to in turn help others within the group change. Although many clients thrive in this environment, it is important to recognize that group and family therapy is not appropriate for everyone. Like any other therapeutic approach, group and family therapy has limitations that must be considered.
This week, as you begin exploring group and family therapy, you examine legal and ethical considerations of this therapeutic approach.
NRNP 6650 Psychotherapy With Groups and Families Learning Resources
Required Readings
American Nurses Association. (2014). Psychiatric-mental health nursing: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
- Standard 5A “Coordination of Care” (page 54)
Note: Throughout the program you will be reading excerpts from the ANA’s Scope & Standards of Practice for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. It is essential to your success on the ANCC board certification exam for Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioners that you know the scope of practice of the advanced practice psychiatric/mental health nurse. You should also be able to differentiate between the generalist RN role in psychiatric/mental health nursing and the advanced practice nurse role.
Nichols, M., & Davis, S. D. (2020). The essentials of family therapy (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
- Chapter 1, “Introduction Becoming a Family Therapist” (pp. 1–5)
- Chapter 1, “The Evolution of Family Therapy” (pp. 6-22)
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2014). HIPAA privacy rule and sharing information related to mental health. Retrieved from http://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/special/mhguidancepdf.pdf
Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice. New York, NY: Springer.
- Chapter 11, “Group Therapy” (pp. 407–428)
Document: Midterm Exam Study Guide (Word document)
Document: Final Exam Study Guide (Word document)
Required Media
Laureate Education (Producer). (2015). Microskills: Family counseling techniques 1 [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 32 minutes.
Accessible player
Laureate Education (Producer). (2015). Microskills: Family counseling techniques 2 [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 32 minutes.
Accessible player
Laureate Education (Producer). (2015). Microskills: Family counseling techniques 3 [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 24 minutes.
Accessible player
Note: You will access this media from the Walden Library databases. The approximate length of this media piece is 140 minutes.
Optional Resources
Sommers, G., Feldman, S., & Knowlton, K. (Producers). (2008). Legal and ethical issues for mental health professionals, volume 2: Dual relationships, boundaries, standards of care and termination [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Psychotherapy.net.
Note: You will access this media from the Walden Library databases. The approximate length of this media piece is 191 minutes.
Discussion: Legal and Ethical Considerations for Group and Family Therapy
Considering the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), the idea of discussing confidential information with a patient in front of an audience is probably quite foreign to you. However, in group and family therapy, this is precisely what the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner does. In your role, learning how to provide this type of therapy within the limits of confidentiality is essential. For this Discussion, consider how limited confidentiality and other legal and ethical considerations might impact therapeutic approaches for clients in group and family therapy.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Compare legal and ethical considerations for group and family therapy to legal and ethical considerations for individual therapy
- Analyze the impact of legal and ethical considerations on therapeutic approaches for clients in group and family therapy
- Recommend strategies to address legal and ethical considerations for group and family therapy
To prepare:
- Review this week’s Learning Resources and consider the insights they provide on group and family therapy.
- View the media, Legal and Ethical Issues for Mental Health Professions, Volume I, and reflect on legal and ethical considerations for group and family therapy and individual therapy.
Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the Post to Discussion Question link and then select Create Thread to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking Submit!
By Day 3
Post an explanation of how legal and ethical considerations for group and family therapy differ from those for individual therapy. Then, explain how these differences might impact your therapeutic approaches for clients in group and family therapy. Support your rationale with evidence-based literature.
By Day 6
Respond to at least two of your colleagues by suggesting strategies to address the legal and ethical considerations your colleagues discussed. Support your responses with evidence-based literature.
Practicum – Upcoming Deadline
In the Nurse Practitioner programs of study (FNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, and PMHNP) you are required to take several practicum courses. If you plan on taking a practicum course within the next two terms, you will need to submit your application via Meditrek .
For information on the practicum application process and deadlines, please visit the Field Experience: College of Nursing: Application Process – Graduate web page.
Please take the time to review the Appropriate Preceptors and Field Sites for your courses.
Please take the time to review the practicum manuals, FAQs, Webinars and any required forms on the Field Experience: College of Nursing: Student Resources and Manuals web page.
- Field Experience: College of Nursing Quick Answers
- Field Experience: MSN Nurse Practitioner Practicum Manual
- Student Practicum Resources: NP Student Orientation
NRNP 6650 Psychotherapy With Groups and Families Week 2: Family Assessment and Phases of Family Therapy
A family’s patterns of behavior influences [sic] the individual and therefore may need to be a part of the treatment plan. In marriage and family therapy, the unit of treatment isn’t just the person – even if only a single person is interviewed – it is the set of relationships in which the person is imbedded.
—American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, “About Marriage and Family Therapists”
When issues arise within a family unit, the family often presents with one member identified as the “problem.” However, you will frequently find that the issue is not necessarily the “problem client,” but rather dysfunctional family patterns and relationships. To better understand such patterns and relationships and develop a family treatment plan, it is essential that the practitioner appropriately assess all family members. This requires you to have a strong foundation in family assessment and therapy.
This week, as you explore family assessment and therapy, you assess client families presenting for psychotherapy.
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Nichols, M., & Davis, S. D. (2020). The essentials of family therapy (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
- Chapter 2, “Basic Techniques of Family Therapy” (pp. 23-39)
- Chapter 3, “The Fundamental Concepts of Family Therapy” (pp. 40-55)
Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice. New York, NY: Springer.
- Chapter 12, “Family Therapy” (pp. 429–468)
Document: Group Therapy Progress Note
Required Media
Laureate Education (Producer). (2013a). Hernandez family> Sessions 1—6 [Video file]. Author: Baltimore, MD.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 52 minutes.
Psychotherapy.net. (2006c). Tools and techniques for family therapy [Video file].
The approximate length of this media piece is 52 minutes.
Assignment : Hernandez Family Assessment
Assessment is as essential to family therapy as it is to individual therapy. Although families often present with one person identified as the “problem,” the assessment process will help you better understand family roles and determine whether the identified problem client is in fact the root of the family’s issues. As you examine the Hernandez Family: Sessions 1-6 videos in this week’s Learning Resources, consider how you might assess and treat the client family.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Assess client families presenting for psychotherapy
To prepare:
- Review this week’s Learning Resources and reflect on the insights they provide on family assessment.
- View the Hernandez Family: Sessions 1-6 videos, and consider how you might assess the family in the case study.
Note: For guidance on writing a comprehensive client assessment, refer to pages 137–142 of Wheeler (2014) in this week’s Learning Resources.
The Assignment
Address in a comprehensive client assessment of the Hernandez family the following:
- Demographic information
- Presenting problem
- History or present illness
- Past psychiatric history
- Medical history
- Substance use history
- Developmental history
- Family psychiatric history
- Psychosocial history
- History of abuse and/or trauma
- Review of systems
- Physical assessment
- Mental status exam
- Differential diagnosis
- Case formulation
- Treatment plan
Note: Any item you are unable to address from the video should be marked “needs to be added to” as you would in an actual comprehensive client assessment
