Teens and Depression/Group Proposal and Literature Review
Group Proposal and Literature Review
U07a1
03/08/13
Introduction
Depression is a disorder that affects the lives of hundreds of thousands teenagers in the United States. Kuehn, B. (2009) states that the “US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening adolescents aged 12 through 18 years for depression, but only when systems are in place to ensure proper diagnosis and to provide psychotherapy and follow-up care” (p. 2085). Adolescents need to be heard and understood. A therapy group allows them to see and understand that they are not alone. Role-playing exercises and group activities are beneficial for this group. They are able to get positive support and encouragement from their peers which have a lot of influence on them at this age.
Background and justification for the group
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teenagers 15 to 19 years (Atala & Baxter, 1989). Jaffe (1991) states that depression; suicidal thinking, eating disorders, and substance abuse are common problems that complicate the care of hospitalized teenagers (p.58). Therapists who choose to work with them must be careful when assessing them and have a nurturing spirit.
It is not an easy task to work with teens. They struggle to find stability amongst conflicting feelings, new concepts, and a swarm of intense psychological changes. The teen years can be challenging for teens and their parents. Group counseling addresses social and psychological problems and helps them to cope with their problems. When teens are able to talk to others with similar problems it is easier for them to confront their problems and work to overcome them with the help of others who have the same issues. Blustain (1999) states “teens are most open to learning about life from other teens; they are able to help them analyze their situations and make tough choices” (p. 9). A solution focused approach will help them find positive ways to solve problems. The Cognitive
U07a1
03/08/13
Introduction
Depression is a disorder that affects the lives of hundreds of thousands teenagers in the United States. Kuehn, B. (2009) states that the “US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening adolescents aged 12 through 18 years for depression, but only when systems are in place to ensure proper diagnosis and to provide psychotherapy and follow-up care” (p. 2085). Adolescents need to be heard and understood. A therapy group allows them to see and understand that they are not alone. Role-playing exercises and group activities are beneficial for this group. They are able to get positive support and encouragement from their peers which have a lot of influence on them at this age.
Background and justification for the group
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teenagers 15 to 19 years (Atala & Baxter, 1989). Jaffe (1991) states that depression; suicidal thinking, eating disorders, and substance abuse are common problems that complicate the care of hospitalized teenagers (p.58). Therapists who choose to work with them must be careful when assessing them and have a nurturing spirit.
It is not an easy task to work with teens. They struggle to find stability amongst conflicting feelings, new concepts, and a swarm of intense psychological changes. The teen years can be challenging for teens and their parents. Group counseling addresses social and psychological problems and helps them to cope with their problems. When teens are able to talk to others with similar problems it is easier for them to confront their problems and work to overcome them with the help of others who have the same issues. Blustain (1999) states “teens are most open to learning about life from other teens; they are able to help them analyze their situations and make tough choices” (p. 9). A solution focused approach will help them find positive ways to solve problems. The Cognitive
References: Anderson, D. (2007). Multicultural group work: a force for developing and healing. Journal For Specialists In Group Work, 32(3), 224-244. Atala, K Corey, M. S., Corey, G., & Corey, C. (2010). Groups process and practice (8th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole. ISBN: 9780495600763. Jaffe, E. (1991). Working with troubled teens. Rn, 54(2), 58-62. Kuehn BM Lewis, J., & Mider, P. A. (1973). Effects of leadership style on content and work styles of short- term therapy groups. Journal Of Counseling Psychology, 20(2), 137-141. doi:10.1037/h0034174 MacKenzie, K Schermer, V.L., & Klein, R.H. (1996). Termination in group psychotherapy from the perspectives of contemporary object relations theory and self psychology