Yalom Case Study

Question #2- Discuss how “recovered drug addicts” (we might say peer counselors) may affect client outcome in the context of Yalom’s therapeutic factors. Mention factors specifically and give specific examples. When therapists are conducting groups with Alcohol Dependent Inpatients, or for any persons who may depend on alcohol, therapist may incorporate those who have fully recovered to assists in patient recovery. Peer counselors or (recovered drug addicts), can provide the group with therapeutic factors in the context of Yalom. In the context of Yalom’s therapeutic factors, a peer counselor can provide the group with altruism. Since persons who may depend on alcohol or drugs can experience the same challenges, so a peer counselor can
This is the belief that an individual has to take responsibility for their own life and consequences of their decisions. A peer counselor would be great in the group to discuss their experiences that could they encountered when they had to become responsible for their own life and the consequences that may follow. For example, a peer counselor who once depended on alcohol could have gotten apprehended by the police for driving under the influence of alcohol. They could share to the group that this could have been a point in which they became aware of their options, or a very tragic experience, but had not learned from the incident. Having an open therapeutic group could have other members learn how much power they possess over their lives and that they can overcome this obstacle. The group therapists or peer counselor could then model behaviors and supports that were used in order to gain sobriety providing the group with Yalom’s belief of imitative
Also, the therapists can only help that through this whole process that an individual can obtain more insight on their situation and begin to understand the start of their challenges and motivations that they are not aware of which determine their behaviors. Another goal would be that each member gain the therapeutic factor of corrective recapitualition of the primary family experience in order to fight the challenges that have created obstacles in their past. In relation to the journal article, these all could be addressed when the group works together in various