Final Paper Treatment Plan

Sometimes it is very difficult for a teenager to cope with all the problems that can occur in this age period. Most teenagers have serious psychological troubles which can lead to severe diseases and abruption of family relations, inadequate behavior and low self-esteem. In this case, counseling can be very helpful. A skilled counselor will be able to help a teenager to cope with stresses and to find the way out of any situation. (Corey et al., 2011, p.479)

In our case, Sarah, a 13-year-old junior high school student has serious psychological problems which have already changed her life. Counseling is the best method for her to get rid of depression and to improve her psychological state.

SARAH’S CASE STUDY

Sarah needs counseling because the recent events which took place in her family ruined the girl’s psychological state. Sarah lost her father. He was found dead under mysterious circumstances. Today, the girl has the following problems: poor academic progress at school, uncommunicativeness, rudeness in interpersonal relations, constant fits of anger at home, lack of communication with mother, overweight and poor complexion, poor hygiene habits.

GENERAL ASSESSMENT OF SARAH’S COUNSELING

It is obvious that Sarah needs counseling. Moreover, she is a good candidate for group counseling because such therapy will help her to get benefits from shared experiences of her group members who have the same psychological problems. Group counseling will give Sarah an opportunity to avoid isolation because she will communicate with people who have similar troubles. The potential advantages of such therapy include the diversity of opinions during sessions and social interaction between people of different cultures, age and sex groups. Sarah will have an opportunity to express her opinion, to critique the opinions of other participants, to develop new behavior and style of life. Unfortunately, there are some disadvantages for Sarah. First of all, Sarah will get less individualized attention from the counselor during the session. Secondly, it will be difficult for her to keep some facts in secret.(Jacobs et al., 2005, p.72)

Taking into consideration the above mentioned psychological problems of Sarah, it is necessary to assign the girl to the Psychotherapy Group which is specially designed for people who try to struggle with anger, anxiety, depression, lack of self-confidence and low self-esteem. My ethical concerns for placing Sarah in a group counseling environment are based on the fact that Sarah has a so-called shut-in personality and she does not trust anybody. That is why it is very important to find appropriate ways for effective interpersonal communication in the group. (Jacobs et al., 2005, p.92)

As oftentimes, the members of the group discover an even greater disruption in their lives as they progress through the group experience. Sarah may encounter such challenges as lack of understanding, restraint, overexcitement, loss of interest. As Sarah’s counselor, I will try to mitigate the impact of such outcomes by means of different psychological techniques. My legal and ethical concerns in regard to Sarah’s counseling are based on the fact that it is necessary to adhere to the code of ethics. Such dictates as autonomy and justice, fidelity, non-maleficence and beneficence should be followed.

I feel that Sarah is ready for the open and honest communication in the group counseling environment because she is tied of her problems. She is ready to share her problems with other people who are in the same psychological state. Moreover, she will be able to listen to others and to apply what they are saying to her situation. She will learn more about herself and she will be ready to make changes in her behavior. Sarah will learn new skills which will be very helpful in her further interactions. I will help Sarah to become more communicative, to express her opinion and to feel free in the group environment.

It is known that group pressure to conform and scapegoating are common components of group counseling experiences, especially among teenagers. That is why it is very important to prepare Sarah for these events. It is necessary to explain her that she should always stick to her point of view and to remain calm in any situation. (Jacobs et al., 2005, p.92)

As the leader of the group, I will implement the following plan to reduce potential risks to the group’s members:

• to maintain the group environment based on trust and safety;
• to organize counseling sessions in a proper way;
• to provide members with diverse views and feedback;
• to provide support to all members of the group;
• to teach the group members to speak in the first person;
• to teach the group members to listen to others;
• to respect all members of the group.

Moreover, it is very important for me to explain each group member his or her responsibilities. They should be honest and share both positive and negative opinions. They should not give advice and solve the problems of other group members as well as they should not blame others. They should respect each other. (Corey et al., 2011, p.500)

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, it is necessary to say that group counseling is considered to be a powerful tool for growth and change. In our case, Sarah needs group counseling because she will be able to get not only tremendous support and understanding of people who have similar problems but also she will learn new skills and new behavior. Sarah will increase her self-esteem and self-understanding. She will learn how to interact with other people and to behave in a proper way.