The Assignment related to this Learning Objective is introduced this week and submitted in Week 10.

Practicum Journal Entry

Date: 02/17/2023

Documentation of Group Therapy Sessions

Date of the session: Tuesday, February 15th 2023

Group Members

1. Clients
2. Client B

The goal of the session is to help members learn effective ways to cope with anxiety and depression.

Summary of the Session: Group members were asked during the session to talk about their own experiences in relation to depression and anxiety. Participants shared personal experiences and actively took part in the sessions. The group facilitator helped the clients to reframe negative thoughts and beliefs using cognitive-behavioral therapies.

Client A. Client A, a male 35 years old with a history anxiety and depression. He said he was anxious about both his work and personal relationships. Also, he shared with us that he was having trouble sleeping and had lost his appetite. Sertraline, also known as Zoloft, was prescribed to Client A for anxiety and depression. DSM-5 diagnoses Client A with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Client B. Client B, a female of 40 years old with a depression history. She felt overburdened with work and her family’s responsibilities. She said she was tired, and had lost interest in many of her favourite activities. Escitalopram is prescribed for Client B’s depression. According to DSM-5 the client B has Major Depressive Disorder.

This group would benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, as the focus is on modifying negative behaviors and thoughts. This group can expect cognitive-behavioral therapies to result in reduced anxiety and depression symptoms, better coping abilities, and an improved quality of living.

Legal and Ethics Implications As a counsellor, I need to maintain confidentiality with clients and ensure they give informed consent. It is also my responsibility to be alert for any harm the client may suffer and, if needed, make a referral.

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition). Author. Butler, A. C., Chapman, J. E., Forman, E. M., & Beck, A. T. (2006). The empirical status for cognitive-behavioral treatment: A meta-analysis. Clinical psychology Review 26(1), 17 – 31. National Institute of Mental Health. (2019). Retrieved in 2019: Generalized anxiety disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/generalized-anxiety-disorder/index.shtml National Institute of Mental Health (2019). Major depressive disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/major-depressive-disorder/index.shtml