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.

By Day 3

1. Post an explanation of whether psychotherapy has a biological basis.

2. Explain how culture, religion, and socioeconomics might influence one’s perspective on the value of psychotherapy treatments.

3. Describe how legal and ethical considerations for group and family therapy differ from those for individual therapy.

 

 

 

Biological Basis and Ethical/Legal Considerations of Psychotherapy

 

 

 

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Biological Basis and Ethical/Legal Considerations of Psychotherapy

Legal Considerations of Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy has been demonstrated to be a productive implement in treating mental health disorders, but the legal considerations available for equipping this therapy cannot be disregarded. Psychotherapy can be termed as a method of treatment involving various treatments aiming to improve thinking, emotional intelligence, and action planning, where examples of psychotherapy include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy (David et al., 2018). CBT is the popularly used form of psychotherapy as it explores the relationship between a person’s feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. This form of psychotherapy focuses on identifying negative thoughts and put back with healthier thoughts. Legal consideration, on the other hand, can be explained as exchanging two or more things of value in a legally binding contract. Confidentiality is essential in legal considerations of psychotherapy, where one must respect clients’ privacy by not disclosing anything revealed during counseling except under agreed conditions. This essay will explore whether psychotherapy has a biological basis, the influence of culture and religion on one’s perspective on the value of psychotherapy treatments, and finally, look at how legal and ethical considerations for group and family differ from those of individual therapy.

Explanation of Psychotherapy Having Biological Basis

Psychotherapy involves talking to a mental healthcare provider to discuss and develop solutions to psychological problems. As it deals with emotional intelligence, thinking, and planning of action, also it got some basis. The biological basis of psychotherapy includes neuroplasticity, brain chemistry, genetics, stress response, and brain imaging. Neuroplasticity can be termed as the ability of the nervous system to swap its activity in comeback to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli by redeploying its structure, functions, or even connections after injuries, such as strokes or traumatic brain injury (TBI) (Fleiss et al., 2021). Psychotherapy plays a critical role in promoting neuroplasticity which leads to transposes in the brain structure and brain function. Brain chemistry can be understood as the sum of all the chemical messaging in the brain that allows it to carry out the daily routine. Psychotherapy can have an impact on brain chemistry by adjusting the level of neurotransmitter elements, such as serotonin and dopamine (Song et al., 2022). Stress response (fight or fight response) is the emergency reaction system of the body, and it keeps one safe in emergencies. Psychotherapy is critical in regulating the stress response, eventually minimizing signs of depression and anxiety. The biological basis of psychotherapy indicates the link between psychological and biological issues in mental health and welfare.

Culture and Religion Influencing One’s Perspective on the Value of Psychotherapy Treatments

Culture and religion have a significant critical influence on one’s perspective on the value of psychotherapy treatments. Some religious/ spiritual clients seek psychotherapy that integrates religious values, while others may be reticent to disclose religious aspects of struggles in a presumably secular setting (Vieten & Lukoff, 2022). In most cultures and religions, consulting a mental healthcare provider is condemned where mental issues are seen as a personal weakness, making one feel done the wrong thing, hence keeping their mental suffering for themselves and eventually leading to serious mental problems. Despite some cultures and religions condemning psychotherapy treatment, others appreciate consulting for therapy dealing with mental problems requiring professional treatments. For instance, in most western countries, therapy is considered a critical aspect of healthcare where it is widely accepted. Some cultural beliefs on the causes of mental disorders and the appropriate ways of treating the disorders can also have a notable influence on one’s perspective on the value of psychotherapy treatments. This can be seen in cultures where they believe that mental disorders can be treated by supernatural or spiritual factors and can be treated by religious leaders or traditional healers (Kpobi & Swartz, 2022). Religion and culture shape and, at the same time, misshapes one’s perspective on the value of psychotherapy treatment. It is essential to consider such factors when dealing with mental problems to ensure that clients receive treatment regarding their cultural and religious beliefs.

Legal and Ethical Considerations for Group and Family Therapy Differing from those for Individual Therapy

Group and family therapy can significantly differ from individual therapy in a series of ways. Some of these ways include confidentiality. Individual therapy therapists are governed by laws and ethical codes to have confidentiality and not to expose any data on the client without their knowledge. On the other hand, in group and family therapy, confidentiality is essential because this is a union of many individuals involved. The therapist must balance maintaining confidentiality with communication and collaboration among group members (Sasangohar et al., 2020). Another form in which individual therapy differs from group and family therapy is through informed consent. For individual therapy, informed consent is extracted from the client while starting the treatment. For group and family therapy, informed consent is obtained from the client and the members of the firm or the group. Lastly, individual therapy can differ from group and family therapy through group dynamics. In group and family therapy, a dynamic communication procedure is used between the client, which develops unique ethical and legal considerations compared to individual therapy, which does not use a dynamic communication process. Group and family therapy can develop unique legal and ethical considerations that may require therapists to change compound interpersonal dynamics while adhering to ethical and legal standards.

Conclusion

Psychotherapy is a variety of treatments that aim to help a person recognize and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Psychotherapy can demand a variety of biological basis such as neuroplasticity, brain chemistry, genetics, stress response, and brain imaging that indicates the connection between psychological and biological problems in mental health and welfare. Culture and religion can influence one’s perspective on the value of psychological treatments, which at times can be of help and, at the same time, lead to severe consequences of mental disorders. Individual therapy can differ from group and family therapy in various ways. Group and family therapy can develop unique legal and ethical considerations that may require therapists to change compound interpersonal dynamics while adhering to ethical and legal standards. A mental healthcare provider needs to know the differences between individual therapy and group and family therapy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

David, D., Cristea, I., & Hofmann, S. G. (2018). Why cognitive behavioral therapy is the current gold standard of psychotherapy. Frontiers in psychiatry, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00004

Fleiss, B., Van Steenwinckel, J., Bokobza, C., K. Shearer, I., Ross-Munro, E., & Gressens, P. (2021). Microglia-mediated neurodegeneration in perinatal brain injuries. Biomolecules, 11(1), 99. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11010099

Kpobi, L. N., & Swartz, L. (2018). ‘The threads in his mind have torn’: conceptualization and treatment of mental disorders by neo-prophetic Christian healers in Accra, Ghana. International journal of mental health systems, 12(1), 1-12.  https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-018-0222-2

Sasangohar, F., Bradshaw, M. R., Carlson, M. M., Flack, J. N., Fowler, J. C., Freeland, D., … & Madan, A. (2020). Adapting an outpatient psychiatric clinic to telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic: a practice perspective. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(10), e22523.

Song, Z., Cheng, L., Liu, Y., Zhan, S., Wu, Z., & Zhang, X. (2022). Plant-derived bioactive components regulate gut microbiota to prevent depression and depressive-related neurodegenerative diseases: Focus on neurotransmitters. Trends in Food Science & Technology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2022.10.019

Vieten, C., & Lukoff, D. (2022). Spiritual and religious competencies in psychology. American Psychologist, 77(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000821

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