Group therapy acts a support and sounding board for patients suffering from borderline personality disorder (BPD). In this context, the group therapy will majorly focus on patients with depression. Depression is viewed as one the most prevalent form of BPD among many patients (Jónsson, Hougaard & Bennedsen, 2010) . Notably, many people with BPD report episodes of neglect, abuse, sexual molestation, separation as young children, but to name a few. As such, it is worthy to conclude that many of the problems lead to depression which causes them to participate in activities that reduce their quality of life, for example, self mutilation and in extreme cases of suicidal thoughts. In this case, the problem is still foundational among the patients with BPD who are seeking attention. Thus to prevent the case, it will be worthwhile to focus on the depressed patients.
The group therapy will involve two psychologists who will lead a group of seven patients suffering from depression. The group will be closed; members will begin therapy at the same time within a set period and at a specific time. The motive of the group is to view the interaction of members and the therapists as the vehicle of change (Jónsson, Hougaard & Bennedsen, 2010) . Thus, the “active ingredient” in the therapy is mainly the support of the members suffering from the problem and partly a contribution of the therapists. As earlier mentioned, the group will remain small: a maximum of seven members to focus on each individual, increase diversity, and shared perspectives as opposed to a larger group. Markedly, the patients chosen will have almost similar difficulties and function at the same level.
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That said, the group therapy will describe two most important elements as effective strategies, including cohesiveness and task focus ( Bieling, McCabe, & Antony, 2006) . Cohesiveness refers to the degree with which members will show personal interest between each other. This is one important strategy for group therapy. If the members fail to give audience towards each other, then the therapy objectives will be limited. As such, one person will state their problems as the others listen and help to provide solutions. Technically, the element of confidentiality will be an imperative aspect in the therapy. In other words, there is no guarantee of privacy when sharing with others. However, openness and honesty will be a critical element when sharing with the others. Secondly, the group will be task focused or have defines goals to be achieved. Depression stems from many things as earlier mentioned. Thus, the group members should establish the problem that the other suffering from with the help of the therapist and draw meaningful solutions to ease or alleviate the problem. Consequently, this will improve the patient’s quality of life.
Whitfield (2010) states that “Joining a group of strangers may sound intimidating at first, but group therapy provides benefits that individual therapy may not.” First, the closed group therapy will act as a support network where the members of the group can come up with ideas that can alleviate a life challenge. This is because regular talking and listening can help put matters and problems in perspective. People faced with depression often find it difficult to communicate their problems. Therefore, the company of other people with the same problem can make the task easy and help them open up. Additionally, group therapy offers more than support groups and self help tool. Members can benefit from proven tactics for managing certain problems with help from two therapists facilitating the sessions. Consequently, expert guidance can help make the most of the group therapy session.
References
Bieling, P.J., McCabe R.E., Antony, M.M. (2006). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Groups. Guilford Press.
Jónsson, H., Hougaard, E., & Bennedsen, B. (2010). Randomized comparative study of group versus individual cognitive behavioural therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica , 123 (5), 387-397. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.2010.01613.x
Whitfield, G. (2010). Group cognitive-behavioural therapy for anxiety and depression. Advances In Psychiatric Treatment , 16 (3), 219-227. http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/apt.bp.108.005744
