therapeutic process

therapeutic process

Hello Jocelyn Jingwa,

Thank you for your post! It’s interesting to learn that your therapeutic process is progressing very well.  Both clients are committed toward resolving their marital problems as seen in their cooperation and attending the counselling sessions. I believe the therapeutic process requires a committed client to the counselling process to help them better their lives. To the therapist, setting a good relationship is essential as it helps the client to be free thus share the information, emotions, beliefs, and intimate thoughts. I am very happy to you as you have created a safe, non-judgmental, and open atmosphere as seen in their openness and responsiveness (Wheeler, 2014).

The two clients in the family therapy are couple with depressive disorder due to social issues they encounter in their relationships. The depressive disorders are internal and external as they are primarily due to misunderstanding and pressure from family members.  I concur with you that diagnosing the client with Zoloft (Sertraline) 25 milligrams will help in easing the major depressive disorder, stress disorders, and depressed mood. Zoloft has been approved medical diagnosis for a patient with depressive and anxiety disorders (Kleinstäuber, 2013).

Based on social problems the couple is experiencing, I agree with you that interpersonal psychotherapy is an effective approach for the couple because it’s focused, time-limited, and evidence-based approach (Van Bronswijk et al., 2018). The problem with the couples require communication and their problems will be solved. Thus using this approach will help the clients to improve their social functioning and interpersonal communication to reduce mood, depression, and stress. Secondly, bearing in mind the two clients are couples, I agree with you that narrative therapy will help them identify their skills, knowledge, and values and live according to them (Freedman, 2014). As couples, communication is very crucial and thus, this approach will help them to effectively confront each other whenever a problem occurs.

I like the fact that you have helped the clients to develop ways of solving their problems such as spending time together to build affection, ways of managing stress by not allowing family members to stress them because of their wedding. Besides, strategies, like setting rules, listening without judging, and not objecting partner’s complaints automatically, can help to restore their happiness. The effectiveness of the counselling is evidenced by clients’ enhanced communication, understanding on each other, and progressing with therapy as expected.

References

Freedman, J. (2014). Witnessing and positioning: Structuring narrative therapy with families and couples. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 35(1), 20-30. doi:10.1002/anzf.104

Kleinstäuber, M. (2013). Zoloft®. Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine, 2085-2085. doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-1005-9_101889

Van Bronswijk, S. C., Lemmens, L. H., Viechtbauer, W., Huibers, M. J., Arntz, A., & Peeters, F. P. (2018). The impact of personality disorder pathology on the effectiveness of Cognitive Therapy and Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Major Depressive Disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, 225, 530-538. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2017.08.043

Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice. New York, NY: Springer.