Community Mental Health Nursing (RCMN)
FACILITATING GROUP THERAPY SESSION IN THE COMMUNITY
This is a form of psychotherapy where the RCPN assists a group of clients facing related psychological problems to develop new coping skills and mechanisms in solving their challenges.
Purpose
- Help clients identify their challenges and make informed decisions
- Boost client's self esteem
- Assist client gain new skills for social survival
- Develop self-awareness
Indications
- Facilitating a group therapy session in the community for clients facing related psychological problems.
- Helping clients identify their challenges and make informed decisions.
- Developing new coping skills and mechanisms for solving challenges.
Equipment
- Clients' records (manual or electronic)
- Table and chairs
- Pen and paper
- Related website
- Related manual/electronic leaflets and flyers
Preparation
- Prepare an agenda or identify a relevant topic for discussion.
- Prepare a list of participants for the group session.
- Arrange chairs according to the desired pattern, such as circular or horse-shoe.
Procedure steps
- Prepare an agenda/identify a relevant topic for discussion
- Prepare a list of participants in the group session
- Establish rapport (refer to procedure) and explain procedure to participants
- Ensure participants have taken their medication, meals and are well groomed
- Arrange chairs (seats) according to their desired pattern (circular/horse shoe)
- Receive participants to the session
- Identify a recorder among participants for the session
- Ask participants to introduce themselves
- Discuss with participants the goals of the session
- Explain to participants the ground rules of the therapy
- Initiate and direct the discussion
- Observe and involve all participants in the discussion
- Identify and review conflicts if any and help participants to resolve them
- Summarize with the participants what has been done for the day
- Establish date, time and venue for the next session
- Close the session, arrange for departure of participants and thank them
- Document the procedure and any observations made in the report book
Precautions
- Prepare an agenda or identify a relevant topic for discussion before the session.
- Establish rapport and explain the procedure to the participants.
- Ensure participants have taken their medication, meals and are well groomed.
- Identify and review conflicts, if any, and help participants resolve them.
Aftercare
- Establish the date, time and venue for the next session.
- Close the session, arrange for the departure of the participants and thank them.
Nursing considerations
- Receive participants and identify a recorder among them for the session.
- Ask the participants to introduce themselves and summarise what has been done for the day.
Patient education
- Discuss with the participants the goals of the session and explain the ground rules of the therapy.
- Observe and involve all participants in the discussion.
Documentation
- Document the procedure and any observations made in the report book.
References and further reading
Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.
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