Resilience and Collaboration in Group Therapy
Since the research topic is to identify the features of trauma intervention for adolescent abuse, it is crucial to understand the nuances of the work of psychologists with this population group. In the book “Social Work with Groups,” the authors, Northen and Kurland (2001), explore the advantages of group therapy interventions. As Northen and Kutland (2001) state, “improvement of social functioning exists from a network of interpersonal influence in which all members participate” (p. 79). Therefore, as challenges that young people who have been abused face, one should stress the reluctance to collaborate and share their feelings and experiences during the therapy. This factor is due to the negative experience and considerable stress that affect the desire of young people to close themselves off during group therapy intervention.
However, when young people face similar problems, their organism has a specific level of resilience. The selected population group may exhibit aspects of resilience, such as ego and adaptation, which reflect their consciousness and ability to solve problems (Northen & Kutland, 2001). Consequently, the psychologist should encourage adolescents to be resilient and collaborative during group therapy intervention.
Social Location and Impact of Abuse on Adolescents
As a social location of the youth who have been abused, in terms of group therapy intervention, it is essential to emphasize a variety of situations depending on the degree of abuse. Young people are highly susceptible to stress, and a negative experience significantly affects their mental state (Fellin et al., 2019). Consequently, their social location can be characterized as one of alienation, insularity, and a desire to avoid contact with others.
Goals and Approaches in Trauma-Focused Group Therapy
The purpose is an essential component when planning the group. The authors Northen and Kurland (2001) state that an appropriate purpose will be vital for evaluating the group’s progress (Northen & Kurland, 2001). Therefore, by considering the end and objectives that the group will pursue collectively, one should emphasize the implementation of profound collaboration among all therapy participants to improve the situation and solve problems. The objectives will be to maintain resilient factors in young people, such as adaptation and ego, to increase their level of consciousness and reduce stress after negative experiences.
In addition, Northen and Kurland (2001) emphasize that the objectives should be clear and understandable to all members, which will enable them to explore specific strategies and benefits to achieve these goals (Northen & Kurland, 2001). Consequently, the goal that the group will strive to achieve is to foster profound mutual understanding and trustful relationships within the selected group to combat the problem collectively.
Common and Individual
A specific approach to achieving individual goals during therapy will be necessary for each group member. However, a meaningful way is to create substantial and long-term immunity to anxiety, stress, and insecurity by developing the ability to interact with traumatic experiences. In the article “Empowering young people who experienced domestic violence and abuse,” the authors Fellin et al. (2019) consider this approach a vital method to combat the problem. According to Fellin et al. (2019), one of the primary tasks of participants is to “construct a resilient sense of self in relation to the violent” (p. 171).
Therefore, the goal of the group members, whom they pursue individually, is to elaborate on the ability to resist external factors and increase their confidence. The nature of the interrelationship between collective and individual goals is profound. For example, Fellin et al. (2019) suggest that when a member fails to achieve individual goals, they leave the group, and other members can reflect on this case (Fellin et al., 2019). Consequently, the progress or regression of each group’s participants directly impacts the ultimate objectives and goals of the group.
References
Fellin, L., Callaghan, J., Alexander, J., Harrison-Breed, C., Mavrou, S., & Papathanasiou, M. (2019). Empowering young people who experienced domestic violence and abuse: The development of a group therapy intervention. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 24(1), 170–189.
Northen, H., & Kurland, R. (2001). Social work with groups (3d Ed.). Columbia University Press.