Blog 2

What is your opinion (backed by evidence) of the best restorative group method/approach to help people regain and maintain their mental well-being?

            I think that Cognitive-Behavioral Groups are the best restorative group method to help people regain and maintain mental well-being. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy aims to help people monitor and take charge of their thoughts and actions in order to change them (Baer, 2003). Cognitive-behavioral group therapist focus on the behaviors and cognitions surrounding relational and social skills. Clients are taught to recognize negative and unhealthy thoughts and replace them with positive ones (Forsyth, 2010). It is believed that by changing cognitive processes, behaviors can be modified.

Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is useful in treating psychological disorders. It has been known to have an effect on the level of depression and the relapse rate of depression. Another positive effect of Group CBT is a significant reduction in the number of negative thoughts (Chiueng-Yi Feng et al., 2012). Group CBT has also been helpful in reducing SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder) symptoms. CBT has been proven more effective in groups than with individuals, (Dogaheh, Mohammadkhani, & Dolatshahi, 2011).

I think that Group CBT would be the best group therapy choice to help maintain mental well-being because I think that if you can reduce the number of negative thoughts you have, you will have a much healthier mind. Positive thinking is really important to maintaining good mental health, and the ability to monitor your thoughts is also an important skill. I also think that thoughts provided a basis for actions, so if you can learn to control your thoughts, I think it only makes sense that your actions would be in line with your thoughts.

References:

Baer, R. A. (2003). Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review.Mindfulness Training as a Clinical Intervention: A Conceptual and Empirical Review, 10(2), 125-143.

Dogaheh, E. R., Mohammadkhani, P., & Dolatshahi, B. (2011). Comparison of group and individual cognitive-behavioral therapy in reducing fear of negative evaluation. Psychological Reports,108(3), 943-954. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=ae69d57e-2384-4853-8528-b6b4c0224f7c@sessionmgr11&vid=8&hid=127

Feng, C., Chu, H., Chen, C., Chang, Y., Chen, T., Chou, Y., Chang, Y., & Chou, K. (2012). The effect of  cognitive behavioral group therapy for depression: A meta‐analysis 2000–2010. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 9(1), 2-17. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=ae69d57e-2384-4853-8528-b6b4c0224f7c@sessionmgr11&vid=7&hid=127

Forsyth, D. R. (2010). Group processes and group psychotherapy: Social psychological foundations of change in therapeutic groups. In J. E. Maddux & J. P. Tangney (Eds.), Social psychological foundations of clinical psychology (pp. 497--‐513). New York: Guilford Press.