29 Mar Consider whether psychotherapy also has a biological basis and analyze the ways in which legal and ethical considerations differ in the individual, family, and group therapy settings
BIOLOGICAL BASIS AND ETHICAL/LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS OF PSYCHOTHERAPY
Many studies have found that psychotherapy is as effective as psychopharmacology in terms of influencing changes in behaviors, symptoms of anxiety, and changes in mental state. Changes influenced by psychopharmacology can be explained by the biological basis of treatments. But how does psychotherapy achieve these changes? Does psychotherapy share common neuronal pathways with psychopharmacology?
Psychotherapy is used with individuals as well as in groups or families. 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, you will consider whether psychotherapy also has a biological basis and analyze the ways in which legal and ethical considerations differ in the individual, family, and group therapy settings
Respond to this discussion post below by providing an additional scholarly resource that supports or challenges their position, along with a brief explanation of the resource.
Post an explanation of whether psychotherapy has a biological basis. Explain how culture, religion, and socioeconomics might influence one’s perspective on the value of psychotherapy treatments. Describe how legal and ethical considerations for group and family therapy differ from those for individual therapy, and explain how these differences might impact your therapeutic approaches for clients in group, individual, and family therapy. Support your rationale with at least three peer-reviewed, evidence-based sources and explain why each of your supporting sources is considered scholarly. Attach the PDFs of your sources. (Scholarly Peer-reviewed article with the past 5 years only)
Discussion Post: BIOLOGICAL BASIS AND ETHICAL/LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS OF PSYCHOTHERAPY
Psychotherapy has emerged as an effective treatment for various psychiatric disorders in the recent past, either when applied alone or when used to augment pharmacotherapy. Psychotherapy is known to alter behavior and direct thinking, but it also has a biological basis. Research indicates that psychotherapy alters neuroplasticity, changing the structure and function of neural circuits that are crucial for emotional regulation and cognitive processing (Cooper et al., 2019). Additional biological alterations of psychotherapy include effects on the neurotransmitter systems such as serotonin production and release. This neurotransmitter is crucial for influencing mood and behavior, underpinning the transformative effect of psychotherapy.
Culture shapes the way of life and, consequently, health-seeking behavior among members of a community. Certain cultures embrace Western medicine which is the basis of psychotherapy better than others. Cultures that predominantly embrace communal living and conversations are more open toward psychotherapy compared to cultures that are characterized by secluded living (Koç & Kafa, 2019). Religious beliefs are an additional factor that influences psychotherapy, with the compatibility of one’s spiritual values affecting their ability to seek the help of a therapist. Religion-based psychotherapy has become more common in the recent past to reflect the norms that encompass spiritual beliefs (Wahyudi & Mundakir, 2021). Socioeconomic factors such as income affect health-seeking behavior, including psychotherapy. Therapists are more sought after by middle-income and high-income earners for psychotherapy compared to low-income earners who assume such services are unaffordable. There is a need to make psychotherapy affordable for people across the income spectrum to promote wellbeing.
Different types of therapy present different dynamics that a practitioner must consider for effective outcomes. In individual therapy, client confidentiality is paramount, requiring mental health practitioners to adhere to legal and ethical standards that protect individual privacy. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, for example, is responsible for ensuring confidentiality (Weinberg, 2020). Practitioners can build trust with their clients by observing the requirements for privacy and confidentiality, boosting the effectiveness of psychotherapy.
Group therapy presents a unique situation during psychotherapy and erodes the constraints of confidentiality reasonably. Practitioners are required to maintain a delicate balance of open communication and respect for individual privacy during group therapy as they moderate the interactions (Weinberg, 2020). Clear communication is essential to ensure patients understand the nature of the intervention, followed by informed consent to manage confidentiality in this setting.
Family therapy involves biologically related individuals, including parents, children, and minors. The information shared by these individuals is intended for collective healing, but a practitioner must cater to the welfare of minors. This is because they have not attained the legal age of consent and their privacy may be violated in the process. Observing the legal guidelines regarding privacy is crucial in ensuring that their rights are not abused.
The sources used in this discussion are peer-reviewed and each presents a unique perspective to the conversation. In summary, Cooper et al. (2019) discuss the impact of psychotherapy on the brain’s biology and chemistry, highlighting the ability of this approach to effectively combat psychological issues. Koç and Kafa (2019) emphasize the need for various medical approaches, including psychotherapy to align with local cultures for maximum benefit. Wahyudi and Mundakir (2021) assess the need for more religious-inclined psychotherapy approaches through spiritual psychotherapy and their ability to overcome religious barriers in impacting mental health. Weinberg (2020) emphasizes the need for privacy in both individual and group therapies and the need for compliance with HIPPA standards.
References
Cooper, J. J., Korb, A. S., & Akil, M. (2019). Bringing Neuroscience to the Bedside. FOCUS, 17(1), 2–7. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20180033Links to an external site.
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/10.1177/0022022118806577Links to an external site.
Wahyudi, A., & Mundakir, A. Y. (2021). The Effectiveness of Spiritual Psychotherapy on Patients with Mental Disorders: A Systematic Review. Poltekita : Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan, 15(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.33860/jik.v15i1.436Links to an external site.
Weinberg, H. (2020). Online group psychotherapy: Challenges and possibilities during COVID-19—A practice review. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice, 24(3), 201. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-69287-004Links to an external site.
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