JtT

Jane,

Great first post! So I listed 2 posts and just need you to respond to each with 2-3 paragraphs. If you only need 2 paragraphs that is fine. Your work is always quality so do whatever you think will work

ASSIGMENT

Respond

to at least two of your colleagues on 2 different days by providing an additional scholarly resource that supports or challenges their position, along with a brief explanation of the resource. 

FIRST POST (JF)

Psychotherapy as an APRN

Psychotherapy is a curtail part of the healing process in mental health disorders. The multidimensional framework of psychotherapy begins with the relationship between the therapist and the patient/patients. Creating a strong rapport with the patient is conducive to the positive outcome of therapy as the relationship has been proven to be as crucial as the particular treatment (Norcross & Lambert, 2018). To create the relationship needed, it is essential to consider how one’s culture, religion, and socioeconomic status could influence particular ideas on the effectiveness and need for therapy as a valuable tool. Other aspects to consider when creating a strong rapport with clients are legal and ethical issues and how these may vary between individuals, groups, and families that are receiving therapy. This discussion aims to explain biologics and how deferent aspects such as culture, religion, socioeconomics, legalities, and ethics impact psychotherapy.  

Biological

Through neuroimaging, there has been ample proof that there is a biological basis in psychology. Wheeler (2020) speaks of psychotherapy and how a restructuring of neural networks is an outcome of the process. This topic owns to the fact of neuroplasticity being important. On the reverse of this, many brain structure changes are seen in those who have experienced trauma and events that are considered adverse (Wheeler, 2020). 

Culture

Culture gives meaning to specific aspects of one’s life. Mental health differs in meaning among cultures, such as between Western and Eastern cultures, making mental health and therapies culturally bound (Wheeler, 2020). It can be found that the West and the East have very different ideas of what mental health is, which in turn affects the ideas of the value of psychotherapy because culture shapes these values. Not every culture has the same ideas on the importance of psychotherapy, affecting the willingness to participate due to their specific interpretation (Koç & Kafa, 2019). An example of this is can be found with the explanation of the Muslim culture in Turkey having a negative attitude regarding therapies as their cultural beliefs are conflicting with those that make up popular psychotherapy (Koç & Kafa, 2019). The Aboriginal people of Australia are suspicious of psychotherapy with mainly Western origins and only seek it as a last resort because cultural appropriateness has been severely lacking (Koç & Kafa, 2019).

Religion

As religion is a part of one’s culture, it can also shape how individuals think about the world around them. The ideologies of religion could have a positive impact on the value of therapy or a negative one. There are more than 4,000 religions in the world. If one’s religion emphasizes avoiding that which is secular and views psychotherapy as such, then the therapy will not be seen to be of any value to that group or person (Captari et al., 2018). On the other hand, some psychotherapies will integrate religious and spiritual values increasing the likelihood that a client will participate and find great value in their participation. Those therapies that combined religious and spiritual aspects were found to be just as effective as other therapies but had a more positive effect on spiritual wellbeing (Captari et al., 2018).

Socioeconomic

Socioeconomics consists of one’s educational level, monetary status/income, and other occupation and privilege topics. When individuals come from a lower socioeconomic background, there may be less value put on psychotherapy because it seems unobtainable due to household income (Reiss et al., 2019). Individuals may also find that missing work is not a reasonable thing to do when money is tight and avoid therapy because of financial constraints, which puts a lower value on treatment. Higher socioeconomic status and university degrees place more importance on psychological health (Reiss et al., 2019).   

Legality and Ethics

Legal and ethical issues should always be of concern in the realm of medicine and psychology. This is especially true when it comes to family and groups compared to individuals. With groups and families, one must consider what is being said and what may be relayed between family members. Nichols and Davis (2020) explain how it is essential to never disclose any information to other family members that had been said in private, which would be a legal violation. If the practitioner is not extremely cautious, this information could slip out and create great turmoil. With the topic of ethics and legality, Nichols and Davis (2020) also discuss a practitioner’s issue deciding whether or not their therapy would be worthwhile or useful give particulars circumstances. If the decision is made to not continue with treatment regarding couples, practitioners are obligated ethically and, by law, to refer to another practitioner (Nichols & Davis, 2020).  

Scholarly Papers

This author has included scholarly articles to support my rationale in this discussion post. Each one of the supporting articles is scholarly because;  

· They are reports on research studies

· They are peer-reviewed

· They are published by academic press and or professional organizations. 

· They are organized in a specific manner that is accepted as scholarly. 

· The audience for these papers is meant to be researchers, students, and scholars. 

· Abstracts are included. 

· These resources include bibliographies and or reference lists. 

References

Captari, L. E., Hook, J. N., Hoyt, W., Davis, D. E., McElroy-Heltzel, S. E., & Worthington, E. L., Jr. (2018). Integrating clients’ religion and spirituality within psychotherapy: A comprehensive meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 74(11), 1938–1951. 

https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1002/jclp.22681

.

Koç, V., & Kafa, G. (2019). Cross-Cultural Research on Psychotherapy: The Need for a Change. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 50(1), 100–115. 

https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022118806577

Nichols, M., & Davis, S. D. (2020). The essentials of family therapy (7th ed.). Pearson.

Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2018). Psychotherapy relationships that work III. Psychotherapy, 55(4), 303–315. 

https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1037/pst0000193

Reiss, F., Meyrose, A. K., Otto, C., Lampert, T., Klasen, F., & Ravens-Sieberer, U. (2019). Socioeconomic status, stressful life situations and mental health problems in children and adolescents: Results of the German BELLA cohort-study. PloS one, 14(3), e0213700. 

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0213700

Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2020). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice (3rd ed.). Springer Publishing.

SECOND POST (EF)

Main Discussion Post

            After reading this week’s information and watching the videos, it is clear to me that psychotherapy has a biological basis. This discussion post will describe why psychotherapy has a basis in biology and provide insight into how cultural and socioeconomic factors can influence a client’s perspective on the value of psychotherapy. This post will also discuss legal and ethical considerations when engaging in individual and family/group therapy. 

 The idea of neuroplasticity is one that I am familiar with and fascinated by. Bambling (2013) stated that our brains change in response to our positive and negative thoughts, and these changes are affected by our continued learning, as well as our social and physical environments. These are things that therapists can help clients realize and achieve. Practicing choosing our thoughts and replacing negative thoughts with positive ones is one way therapists can help clients change their brain’s biology. It takes practice and awareness to recognize when we are being negative and determination and intention to change our way of thinking. It is also important to study our environment and how it could be affecting our mental health. There may be things that the therapist can help clients achieve in regards to changing their environment, or at least how they perceive it. Learning is another way the brain is changed. Therapists are educators and can encourage clients to continue learning and guide them in positive directions of growth. 

            Another thing that I found very interesting in this week’s information was that brains are able to change throughout our lifetimes, both positively and negatively. Before, it was thought that brains were only able to change positively until a certain age, and then there would only be negative change from then on. It is now known that brains can change at every age and therefore therapists can help create biological change in their clients throughout the lifespan (Shuttlesworth, 2013). One thing that therapists can help educate clients on is how diet and sleep impact gene expression. The importance of good nutrition and adequate sleep ensures that genes can express and inhibit effectively (Bambling, 2013). This is crucial for mental health and optimal brain function. 

            I have some experience conducting therapy groups, and one of the things I always liked to share was the basis of energy. Bambling (2013) touched on this concept and stated that our energy impacts one another to the point that just by being in the therapist’s presence affects the client’s brain. This drives home to me the importance of a provider being in-tune and aware of their own energy and how it may be affecting their clients. The intention of the client is another important factor that has a biological basis. Showing up to therapy with the intent of bettering oneself with the help of a therapist activates neurons in the brain that are capable of making change. This happens just by showing up and being in the presence of the therapist. Showing up is an important first step and should not be minimized. 

            Shuttlesworth (2013) stated that the biggest way to change our brain is through our behavior. Therapy can help clients find productive ways to change their behavior. Sometimes the changes may be subtle and therapists can track progress, showing clients the gains they have made that they may not have realized otherwise. This is important to encourage further change and boost self-esteem. Changing behavior is not an easy feat and requires consistent practice.  

            There are some differences in legal and ethical considerations regarding group/family therapy and individual therapy. In both types of therapy, providers are required to report suspected abuse, warn of any harmful intent, and be able to assess, conceptualize, and provide interventions (Nichols & Davis, 2020). It is always important for clients to be aware of confidentiality and what type of information is reportable. Written permission is required for client information to be divulged when information is not on a need to know basis. Nichols and Davis (2020) states that during group or family therapy sessions, each party involved should agree to keep each other’s information private and confidential. If the provider is seeing some of the clients in a group and individually, their confidentiality remains intact during one-on-one sessions. That means that what is said between the provider and the individual privately will not be spoken about in group therapy no matter if it is relevant or not. Wheeler (2022) reminded providers to practice awareness, self-care, and mindfulness themselves in order to ensure an ethical relationship and successful treatment planning process with their clients. It is also unethical to stop seeing clients without referring them to another suitable and available provider. 

            I loved all the holistic references in our text this week. I consider myself a holistic nurse and this week’s readings had me even more convinced I am on the right path, furthering my career in this area. Neuroplasticity is infinitely interesting to me and I resonate with all the energy teachings. I am excited to hear how my colleagues decipher this week’s information.

Erica

References

Bambling, M. (2013). Neurobiology of behavior change[Video/DVD]. https://video-

alexanderstreet-com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/watch/neurobioology-of-behavior-change

Nichols, M. P., & Davis, S. D. (2020). The essentials of family therapy. Hoboken, NJ: Pearson 

Education, Inc.

Shuttlesworth, M. (2013). Ethical and legal issues in abnormal psychology [Video]. YouTube. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRXibYioorQ0

Wheeler, K. (2022). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse. A how-to guide 

for evidence-based practice. New York, NY: Springer Publishing.