Describe the evidence-based intervention selected
Cognitive process therapy is a kind of cognitive behavioral therapy that has been effective in minimizing the symptoms of PTSD that an individual develops after a traumatic event ( Taylor, S. 2017). It is useful in helping the patients learn how to change unhelpful thoughts and beliefs associated with the trauma. In doing this, the patient develops a fresh understanding and conceptualization of the traumatic event, and as a result, reduces the negative impacts it has on the current life of the patient.
What is the type of group and what is the purpose of the group?
The group is on kids transitioning out of foster care who suffer from PTSD. The purpose of the group is to enable the doctor to provide cognitive process therapy to a group of kids suffering from PTSD who are transitioning out of foster care. The aim is to help the kids think positively and live a healthy life during and after foster care.
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Elements of the group intervention (theoretical foundation, number of sessions, topic and activities)
The group can be of between eight to twelve members with post-trauma during foster care transition. The group can be taken for a typical 12-session run of CPT. 12 sessions have been proved to be effective in helping patients to overcome the post-traumatic events. The topics of discussions can be on how to live positively and learn to forget the traumatic past. The activities involved can be discussion among the group members together with the doctor.
Is it researched as a closed or open group?
Once the patients have started the cognitive process therapy sessions, the group becomes closed. One should not be joined in the group midway when other members are already continuing with the session. Going for a complete session is essential if one is to recover from the post-trauma stress as a kid undergoes transition foster care ( Munson, M. R., et al. 2010 ). A patient joining half way when the group is already in the process of healing should be permitted because he/she may not benefit fully from the CPT.
What evidence is there that this group therapy works? Is there any controversy about its effectiveness? The change in the behavior of the group members shows that the therapy worked. Initially, before the treatment, the group members were cynical about out of home care with a lot of blames on themselves and other people. After the group treatment, they develop positive thinking, trying to forget the whole traumatic condition and live a positive life. The group treatment is very effective because it also provides a social support to the patients as they share their stories.
Does this research show that this group is effective with more than one population? Group treatment for the PTSD is very effective than in the case of single treatment. In the group, there is a chance for social interaction and emotional support which provides additional strength to the patients to recover. Social and emotional support is very essential in the healing of the patients of PTSD. Sharing of the individual's various stories can make one feel that he is not the only one affected thus giving the spirit of strength and encouragement. Being in group makes the kids forget the past through social interaction with other kids in the group.
Are there any benefits or drawbacks to using this treatment in a group setting? The benefits of using group treatment help in time-saving for the doctor. Instead of repeating the same treatment to every individual, the treatment is administered as a group thus saving time. The issue of social support is another benefit of the group treatment. Members of the group encourage each other by sharing of their stories. Group treatment of PTSD quickens the process of behavior change among the group members ( Clark, D. A., & Beck, A. T. 2010). It encourages learning and the need to have a positive life free from the post-trauma stress. However, group treatment of the PTSD may have some drawbacks. Individuals making up the group may have different extent of the trauma thus requiring a different length of treatment time. All the members of the team are given equal opportunity during the session, and this might leave behind those who needed a longer time to heal.
References
Clark, D. A., & Beck, A. T. (2010). Cognitive theory and therapy of anxiety and depression: Convergence with neurobiological findings. Trends in cognitive sciences , 14 (9), 418-424.
Galovski, T. E., Wachen, J. S., Chard, K. M., Monson, C. M., & Resick, P. A. (2015). Cognitive processing therapy. In Evidence based treatments for trauma-related psychological disorders (pp. 189-203). Springer International Publishing.
Munson, M. R., Smalling, S. E., Spencer, R., Scott, L. D., & Tracy, E. M. (2010). A steady presence in the midst of change: Non-kin natural mentors in the lives of older youth exiting foster care. Children and Youth Services Review , 32 (4), 527-535.
Taylor, S. (2017). Clinician's guide to PTSD: A cognitive-behavioral approach . Guilford Publications.
