Discussion 6650 Practicum Week 11
Discussion 6650 Practicum Week 11
This week, as you explore group therapy with older adults, you examine your own group
therapy sessions with older adult clients. You also recommend strategies for improving the
effectiveness of this therapeutic approach.
Learning Resources
Required Readings
American Nurses Association. (2014). Psychiatric-mental health nursing: Scope and
standards of practice (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Standard 7 “Ethics” (pages 67–68)
Bonhote, K., Romano-Egan, J., & Cornwell, C. (1999). Altruism and creative expressions in
a long-term older adult psychotherapy group. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 20(6),
603–617. doi:10.1080/016128499248394
Altruism and Creative Expressions in a Long-term Older Adult Psychotherapy Group by
Bonhote, K.; Romano-Egan, J.; Cornwell, C., in Issues in Mental Health Nursing, Vol.
20/Issue 6. Copyright 1999 by Taylor & Francis Inc. Reprinted by permission of Taylor &
Francis Inc. via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Cheston, R., & Jones, R. (2009). A small-scale study comparing the impact of psycho-
education and exploratory psychotherapy groups on newcomers to a group for people with
dementia. Aging & Mental Health, 13(3), 420-425. doi:10.1080/13607860902879409
Krishna, M., Honagodu, A., Rajendra, R., Sundarachar, R., Lane, S., & Lepping, P. (2013).
A systematic review and meta-analysis of group psychotherapy for sub-clinical depression
in older adults. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 28(9), 881–888.
doi:10.1002/gps.3905
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Group Psychotherapy for Sub-clinical
Depression in Older Adults by Krishna, M.; Honagodu, A.; Rajendra, R.; Sundarachar,
R.; Lane, S.; Lepping, P., in International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Vol. 28/Issue 9.
Copyright 2013 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Reprinted by permission of John Wiley & Sons
Ltd. via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Krishna, M., Jauhari, A., Lepping, P., Turner, J., Crossley, D., & Krishnamoorthy, A.
(2011). Is group psychotherapy effective in older adults with depression? A systematic
review. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 26(4), 331–340. doi:10.1002/gps.2546
Is Group Psychotherapy Effective in Older Adults with Depression? A Systematic Review
by Krishna, M.; Jauhari, A.; Lepping, P.; Turner, J.; Crossley, D.; Krishnamoorthy, A., in
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Vol. 26/Issue 4. Copyright 2011 by John
Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Reprinted by permission of John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. via the Copyright
Clearance Center.
Rice, A. (2015). Common therapeutic factors in bereavement groups. Death Studies, 39(3),
165-172. doi:10.1080/07481187.2014.946627
Wang, C., Tzeng, D., & Chung, W. (2014). The effect of early group psychotherapy on
depressive symptoms and quality of life among residents of an apartment building for
seniors. Psychogeriatrics: The Official Journal of the Japanese Psychogeriatric Society, 14(1),
38-46. doi:10.1111/psyg.12037
Watkins, R., Cheston, R., Jones, K., & Gilliard, J. (2006). 'Coming out' with Alzheimer's
disease: Changes in awareness during a psychotherapy group for people with dementia.
Aging & Mental Health, 10(2), 166-176. doi:10.1080/13607860500312209
Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-
to guide for evidence-based practice. New York, NY: Springer.
Chapter 18, “Psychotherapy with Older Adults” (pp. 625–660)
Discussion: Group Therapy with Older Adults
As the population continues to age, more and more older adults will require therapy for
various mental health issues. While the group setting offers many benefits and makes
therapy more accessible to those in need of services, this therapeutic approach may not be
effective for all clients. For this Discussion, as you examine your own practicum
experiences with older adults in group therapy settings, consider strategies to improve the
effectiveness of your sessions.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
Analyze group therapy sessions with older adults
Recommend strategies for improving the effectiveness of group therapy sessions for
older adults
To prepare:
Review this week’s Learning Resources, and consider the insights provided on
group therapy with older adults.
Reflect on your practicum experiences with older adults in group therapy settings.
Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be
able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the Post to
Discussion Question link and then select Create Thread to complete your initial post.
Remember, once you click submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot
post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking Submit!
By Day 3
Post a description of a group therapy session with older adults, including the stage of the
group, any resistances or issues that were present, and therapeutic techniques used by the
facilitator. Explain any challenges that may occur when working with this group. Support
your recommendations with evidence-based literature.
Read a selection of your colleagues' responses.
By Day 6
Respond to at least two of your colleagues by recommending strategies for improving the
effectiveness of their group therapy sessions. Support your recommendations with
evidence-based literature and your own experiences with clients.
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 11 Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 6
To participate in this Discussion:
Week 11 Discussion