Please respond to each classmate with at least 150 words and reference.
Discussion 1:
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a type of treatment that can help patients who are experiencing a wide array of mental health conditions and emotional challenges. It can also help alleviate symptoms; certain types of psychotherapies can assist in identifying the psychological root causes of a patient’s condition so that they can function better while having enhanced emotional well-being and healing (American Psychiatric Association, 2023). Psychotherapy can also assist with conditions such as coping with stressful life events, the impact of trauma, medical illnesses (i.e., acute and/chronic ailments), sudden grief or loss (i.e., death of a loved one), and mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety (Corey, 2021). Therapy can assist both children and adults; it can be conducted in an individual, family, couple, or group setting. Sixty-minute sessions are typically held once per week in the beginning, then range from every two weeks to once per month as the patient’s condition improves (Carlat, 2016). During each session, both the patient and therapist need to be actively involved in psychotherapy; the relationship and trust between a patient and his/her therapist are important for working together effectively to make improvements from psychotherapy (Corey, 2021).
There are several different types of psychotherapy; some types work better with certain clinical situations and can also be used in combination with medications (American Psychiatric Association, 2023). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) assists patients in identifying and changing thinking and behavior patterns that are unhealthy or ineffective while replacing them with more accurate thoughts and functional behaviors (Carlat, 2016). Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is a short-term form of treatment that assists patients in understanding the underlying interpersonal issues that are troublesome (i.e., unresolved grief, changes in social or work roles, conflicts with significant others, problems relating to others). Dialectical behavior therapy is a specific type of CBT that assists patients in more effectively regulating emotions. Involving both individual and group therapy, it teaches new skills to assist patients in taking personal responsibility to change unhealthy or disruptive behavior (Corey, 2021). Psychodynamic therapy is based upon the idea that behaviors and mental well-being are rooted in both childhood and past experiences; it also involves bringing to conscious awareness feelings that may be unconscious (i.e., outside a patient’s awareness) (Carlat, 2016). Supportive therapy uses guidance and encouragement to assist patients in developing their own resources to improve self-esteem, decrease anxiety, strengthen coping mechanisms, and improve social functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2023).
Development of Psychotherapy
Many ancient cultures viewed changes in mental health as omens, curses, or signs from the gods. Ancient Greeks, however, are often cited as the first to treat mental disorders as medical conditions (Davis, 2022). As time went on, physicians of the age, like Galen and Hippocrates, further explored the link between mental state and medicine, rejecting beliefs that medical conditions stemmed from otherworldly influences. The insights gained by the Ancient Greeks took a step back when the Roman Empire fell, and the Dark Ages began (Cunningham, 2021). Those with mental health conditions often suffered due to a lack of understanding, and it may have been more common to view patients struggling with mental health as “touched by witchcraft” rather than a person living with a disorder (Davis, 2022). Paracelsus (1493-1541), known as one of the great ancient contributors of medical chemistry, was one of the few physicians during his time who first advocated for the use of psychotherapy. While the term “psychotherapy” had not yet developed, Paracelsus believed the most common cause of poor mental wellness was an emotional disconnect between a patient and the world (Cunningham, 2021). The mindset of the Middle Ages persisted until the Victorian Era, where traditional beliefs about family, home, and oneself shifted to a more modern ideal known as the Bourgeois family. The Bourgeois family model supported social psychology and assisted in normalizing many vital elements of mental health recognized today (Davis, 2022).
As the concepts around mental health started to evolve, physicians sought words to describe what they were witnessing in practice, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries. Austrian physician Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815) received some of the earliest recognitions as a founder of psychotherapy. Known for his process of “mesmerism,” he focused on treating patients by using hypnosis (Cunningham, 2021). Around the same time Franz Anton Mesmer was exploring hypnosis, French physician Philippe Pinel (1745–1826) was credited with founding the field of psychiatry as he sought humane treatment for those living with mental health conditions. Walter Cooper Dendy (1794-1871) introduced the term “psycho-therapeia” during the 19th century as he gained insight during his studies of the psyche and dreams (Davis, 2022). However, it wasn’t until Josef Breuer (1842-1925) and Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) joined forces to investigate Breuer’s “talking cure” for nervous disorders that modern psychotherapy was truly born. Sigmund Freud and Josef Breuer co-authored “Studies on Hysteria” in 1895 and are credited with formally founding psychoanalysis. While both psychologists continued their own paths developing psychotherapy methods and theory, Sigmund Freud’s work laid the foundation for what was to come over the next fifty years (Cunningham, 2021). Many of Sigmund Freud’s apprentices went on to impact the history of psychotherapy in their own ways, contributing to the development of psychodynamic therapy (i.e., Carl Jung, Alfred Adler, Otto Rank, Melanie Klein) (Davis, 2022). In the 1950s, Carl Rogers continued the work of Sigmund Freud’s successors and created the person-centered therapy approach, and by the 1960s, Aaron T. Beck had further expanded psychotherapy modalities by developing cognitive therapy, which led to what is known today as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) (Cunningham, 2021).
Becoming an Effective Multicultural Counselor
The racial and ethnic disparities between counselors, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, therapists, and their patients often make it difficult for minorities to find a provider who understands specific issues related to their experiences (Carlat, 2016). Better assisting those in therapeutic settings to better connect with their patients and be more sensitive to issues related to experiences of culture and race is why multicultural counseling is so important. The driving force behind multicultural counseling is that patients from minority groups view the world through different lenses and that counselors, nurse practitioners, physicians, and therapists of any race need to be sensitive to their unique difficulties and experiences (Corey, 2021). Multicultural counseling involves counselors, psychiatric nurse practitioners, physicians, and therapists demonstrating an understanding of their patients, including their struggles with cultural issues, racism, and other related experiences (Baxter, 2022). With a continued emphasis on caring and empathy, multicultural counseling enables counselors, psychiatric nurse practitioners, physicians, and therapists to better address unique challenges while considering how a patient’s experience may be different from their own (Paulus, 2021).
Multicultural counseling often has various approaches, but overall, it is a method of therapeutic counseling that considers the different factors that affect racial, ethnic, and other types of minorities, including historical oppression and its effects on society (Paulus, 2021). Multicultural counselors, psychiatric nurse practitioners, physicians, and therapists understand that patients’ backgrounds influence the ways in which they view the world, and that the provider’s role must change to accommodate these perspectives (Baxter, 2022). Another challenging but essential part of developing multicultural counseling expertise is looking inward and examining one’s own biases and privilege. Multicultural therapists must be self-aware and examine how their upbringing and backgrounds influence the way they treat their patients. It is vital that counselors, psychiatric nurse practitioners, physicians, and therapists learn how to balance those tendencies with greater awareness and perspective, approaching each patient with sensitivity and without bias or judgment (Paulus, 2021). Other skills counselors, psychiatric nurse practitioners, physicians, and therapists must possess include interpersonal abilities (i.e., the ability of one individual to be able to connect with another individual through active listening, asking thoughtful questions, reading body language), sensitivity (i.e., recognizing topics that may be upsetting or sensitive), and empathy (i.e., provider being able to put themselves in their patients’ shoes and see it from their perspective) (Carlat, 2016).
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2023). What is psychotherapy? Retrieved from: https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/psychotherapyLinks to an external site.
Baxter, S. (2022). Understanding the theory and logic behind psychotherapy. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 400(8), 13-18.
Carlat, D. (2016). The psychiatric interview (4th edition). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, ISBN-13: 978-1496327710 ISBN-10: 9781496327710
Corey, Gerald. (2021). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. Cengage Learning, Inc. ISBN: 978-1-30526372-7
Cunningham, T. (2021). Ancient Greek mythology and its relevance to modern-day counseling. Journal of Nursing Research, 244(1), 91-106.
Davis, R. (2022). Understanding psychotherapy: A modern day look at theory and practice. Journal of Professional Nursing, 279(3), 18-34.
Paulus, C. (2021). Becoming a better counselor: A clinician’s guide to understanding therapeutic communication. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 180(7), 110-119.
Discussion 2:
Psychotherapy is a form of therapeutic treatment that involves a trained professional (such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, or counselor) helping individuals address psychological, emotional, and behavioral issues through dialogue, exploration, and various therapeutic techniques. It aims to improve mental health and well-being by fostering self-awareness, understanding, and positive change. The origins of psychotherapy can be traced back to various figures in the field of psychology, including Sigmund Freud, who developed psychoanalysis, and Carl Rogers, who introduced person-centered therapy. Over time, numerous therapeutic approaches and techniques have emerged, ranging from psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral therapies to humanistic and existential approaches (APA PsycNet, n.d).
In contrast to the provision of nursing care, which often involves tasks like obtaining vital signs, physical assessments, administering medications, and providing treatments, psychotherapy focuses primarily on establishing a therapeutic relationship and facilitating emotional healing and personal growth. The importance of becoming an effective multicultural counselor cannot be overstated, especially in today’s diverse society where individuals from different cultural backgrounds seek mental health support. Culturally competent counseling involves understanding and respecting the unique values, beliefs, traditions, and experiences of clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. It acknowledges the impact of culture on individuals’ perceptions of mental health, help-seeking behaviors, and responses to treatment. For psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), achieving cultural competence as counselors involves several key steps:
PMHNPs should engage in ongoing self-reflection to examine their own cultural biases, assumptions, and stereotypes. This process of self-awareness is essential for recognizing how one’s cultural background may influence their perceptions and interactions with clients from different cultural groups. PMHNPs should actively seek to expand their understanding of diverse cultural backgrounds, including the cultural values, norms, communication styles, and healing practices of various ethnic, racial, religious, and socioeconomic groups. This may involve participating in cultural competency training, reading literature on multicultural counseling, and engaging in cross-cultural experiences (Zhu et al., 2023).
PMHNPs should be flexible and adaptable in their approach to counseling, recognizing that what works for one client may not work for another due to cultural differences. They should be open to exploring alternative therapeutic techniques and interventions that are congruent with clients’ cultural backgrounds and preferences. PMHNPs should collaborate with other healthcare professionals, including psychologists, social workers, and counselors, who have expertise in multicultural counseling. Consultation with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds can provide valuable insights and guidance in working with culturally diverse clients (Reist et al., 2022).
Reference
APA PsycNet. (n.d.). Psycnet.apa.org. https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2023-99100-001.html
Zhu, P., Luke, M. M., Liu, Y., & Wang, Q. (2023). Cultural humility and cultural competence in counseling: An exploratory mixed methods investigation. Journal of Counseling & Development, 101(3), 264–276. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12469Links to an external site.
Reist, C., Petiwala, I., Latimer, J., Raffaelli, S. B., Chiang, M., Eisenberg, D., & Campbell, S. (2022). Collaborative mental health care: A narrative review. Medicine, 101(52), e32554. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000032554
