Part 2 reply to colleague

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Biological Basis and Ethical/Legal Considerations of Psychotherapy
Yanet Nunez
Dr. Harris
Walden University
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Biological Basis and Ethical/Legal Considerations of Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy Has a Biological Basis.
Evidence points to a biological basis for psychotherapy or treating mental and emotional
illnesses through talk therapy (Wheeler, 2020). Changes in neural circuits and neurotransmitter
levels are just two examples of how psychotherapy can influence the structure and function of the
brain, as shown by the available scientific evidence. Faan (Chapter 2, 2020) points out that the
prefrontal cortex, which is involved in emotional regulation and decision-making, has been shown
to expand due to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Mood-regulating neurotransmitters like
serotonin and dopamine are also subject to modulation by psychotherapy. One may therefore claim
that psychotherapy has a biological basis and can cause beneficial changes in the brain.
Culture and Psychotherapy
Through establishing beliefs and attitudes concerning mental health, seeking help, and the
importance of emotions, culture might affect one’s perspective on the effectiveness of
psychotherapy treatments. Some societies value family and community supports more than
seeking professional care for mental health concerns. In contrast, others with a stronger emphasis
on individualism may be more likely to seek therapy for personal growth and betterment.
Religion and Psychotherapy
Beliefs and attitudes about mental health, the significance of prayer, and the necessity of
getting professional care can be shaped by one’s religious upbringing, which can affect one’s
perspective on the efficacy of psychotherapy treatments. While some view prayer and other
religious activities as the primary means of resolving mental health difficulties, counselling may
be encouraged by some religious traditions.
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Socioeconomics and Psychotherapy
The value that one places on psychotherapy treatments can be affected by one’s
socioeconomic status because this impacts one’s willingness to seek and use available mental
health resources. One group may view therapy as out of reach because of financial constraints
(those with lower incomes or less comprehensive insurance plans). In contrast, another group with
more financial resources may see therapy as an essential investment in their mental health (because
of its positive effects on productivity and well-being). However, people of different socioeconomic
origins may have different perspectives on therapy due to the societal stigma associated with
mental health.
Differences in Legal Consideration Among the Family, Group, and Individual Therapy
Settings
Individual, family, and group therapy settings each have unique legal and ethical
considerations, as evidenced by Wheeler (2020).
Confidentiality, privacy, and the client’s
informed consent are crucial in individual therapy. When conducting family therapy, the therapist
must consider the interplay of numerous people and any potential conflicts of interest and obtain
informed consent from everyone involved, as reported in Faan (Chapter 2, 2020). The therapist
leading a group therapy is responsible for preventing any unauthorized disclosure of client
information and ensuring everyone there feels comfortable and cared for. Furthermore, there may
be special legal considerations for group treatment, including handling issues of collective liability
and the possibility that group members will impact each other’s behavior or mental health.
Therefore, therapists in every environment must master intricate legal and ethical issues for their
client’s safety and well-being (Faan, Chapter 1, 2020).
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Impacts of the differences on Therapeutic Approaches
The differences in legal and ethical considerations may affect several therapeutic
approaches between group, individual, and family therapy settings. The therapist’s role in group
therapy is threefold: to ensure all participants’ safety, establish ground rules for the group, and
mediate any conflicts that arise, as evidenced in Faan (Chapter 2, 2020). When working with an
individual client, a therapist’s top priorities should be to establish trust, create a secure environment
in which the client feels comfortable opening up, and protect the client’s right to privacy and
confidentiality at all times. The therapist’s job in family therapy is to facilitate honest
communication and appropriate boundaries within the family unit, taking into account the family’s
unique structure, roles, and relationships (Nicholas & Davis, 2020). In delivering successful and
ethical care for their clients, therapists must generally modify their therapeutic approaches to
account for the unique issues and concerns of each therapy setting.
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References
Faan., W. K. P. D. P. M. H. N. P.-B. C. A. P. R. N. (2020). Psychotherapy for the Advanced
Practice Psychiatric Nurse, third edition. Springer Publishing Company. (Chapter 1,
“The Nurse Psychotherapist and a Framework for Practice,” and Chapter 2, “The
Neurophysiology of Trauma and Psychotherapy”) Retrieved From:
The Nurse Psychotherapist and a Framework for Practice | Springer Publishing
This article is considered scholarly because it is a book written by a highly qualified
author and published by a reputable academic publisher, Springer Publishing Company. The
content of the book is based on empirical evidence and research, and the chapters provide in-depth
knowledge on topics related to psychotherapy and nursing practice.
Nichols, M., & Davis, S. D. (2020). The essentials of family therapy (7th ed.). Pearson.
Chapter 2, “Basic Techniques of Family Therapy” (pp. 33õ only). Retrieved From:
0135167795.pdf (pearsonhighered.com)
This article is considered scholarly because it is a chapter from a textbook by
established authors and published by a respected academic publisher.
Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2020). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to
guide for evidence-based practice (3rd ed.). Springer Publishing. Available at:
Psychotherapy for the Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse, Second Edition: A … – Kathleen
Wheeler – Google Books
This article is considered scholarly because it is a book edited by an expert in the field,
published by a reputable academic publisher, and provides a comprehensive guide on evidence-
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based practice for advanced practice psychiatric nurses, with references and specialized
language.
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Psychotherapy
Student’s Name: Yerma
Psychotherapy
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Psychotherapy has a biological basis since it focuses primarily on operating the brain,
maturation, and development. According to Javanbakht and Alberini (2019), psychotherapy is a
personalized but inclusive biological treatment because it never targets particular modulators,
single or more neurotransmitters, or a single receptor but covers all aspects of the biological
principles that align with complex brain responses. Therefore, this interposition re-elaborates the
sense of self through new experiences and learning, including internal, emotional, and cognitive
rule processes. Effective therapy offers a measurable, lasting, and comprehensive physical
change in the brain. Psychotherapy targets the brainàchallenges by adapting and repairing them
based on how the challenge was developed, mainly by following the concepts of evolutionary
adaptation. The neuroscience study profoundly considers brain functions and structures, and
applying the neuroscientific methodology and understanding to therapeutic and psychopathology
interventions remains transformative for advancing mental health (Javanbakht & Alberini, 2019).
In addition, the brain imaging study often shows that psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral
therapy, causes biological changes in the human brain, thus, indicating the presence of biological
concepts.
Culture is vital in conceptualizing psychopathology’s full accounting and explaining
experienced illness, health, and distress. Some conditions surrounding migration processes and
minority stress, such as sexual orientation and gender, usually increase the vulnerability of
people seeking psychotherapy. According to Moleiro (2018), psychological suffering refers to an
ethnic acknowledgement of multidimensional and complex procedures of biopsychosocial
variables. Cultural misconceptions concerning psychotherapy commonly influence the
community’s perspective and impact the procedures and moments in peopleàdescriptions of
their suffering. For instance, some people have a cultural belief that mental illness is a
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punishment or community curse; thus, they must seek healing intervention through traditional
doctors and not psychotherapy treatments.
Religious beliefs are essential to values and principles people utilize to make judgments
and process information. According to Schwarz (2018), psychotherapist often influences the
ability to understand and determine unanticipated, frenzied, or agonizing incidents by settling
their patients’ perspective and belief learnings. For example, most religious groups believe that
God performs miracles and has a way of healing sadness and traumas associated with mental
health challenges. Therefore, validation and knowing clients’ beliefs is a crucial way to enhance
their adherence to psychotherapy and support them in achieving a better outcome. On the other
hand, socioeconomic focus on people’s identity influences how success might be perceived
because it interrelates with different personality features and impacts the client’s overall quality
of life. Most people from a high socioeconomic status often seek psychotherapy since they
associate it with cost issues.
Ethical and legal considerations for family and group therapies differ from individual
therapy. Having multiple clients in a single room affects the rational dynamics within the
therapeutic system since it offers a more nuanced and complex ethical dilemma during
psychotherapy (Hecker & Murphy, 2018). The therapist should maintain confidentiality and
privacy and advise the clients on the dangers of group therapy. Unlike individual therapy,
confidentiality rules the spine within a single client, forcing the therapist and clinician to be
cognizant of the facts. Informed consent is an example of an ethical implication that cuts across
individual and family or group therapies. Informed consent permits clients access to information
concerning the offered services within the therapeutic environment. The therapeutic environment
is impacted when offering services to the individual client versus family or group setting,
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especially when the confidentiality factor is not considered. The values of group or family
catharsis, cohesiveness, and interpersonal learning are obstructed through these factors; thus,
psychotherapists are forced to be aware of how confidentiality issues might affect the
effectiveness of treatment using ideal modalities.
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References
Hecker, L. L., & Murphy, M. J. (2018). Ethical issues in couple and family therapy. The
Cambridge Handbook of Applied Psychological Ethics, pp. 239¶2.
https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316417287.013
Javanbakht, A., & Alberini, C. M. (2019). Editorial: Neurobiological models of psychotherapy.
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00144
Moleiro, C. (2018). Culture and psychopathology: New perspectives on research, practice, and
clinical training in a Globalized World. Frontiers in Psychiatry, p. 9.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00366
Schwarz, S. (2018). Religious aspects in psychiatry and psychotherapy. International Journal of
Human Rights in Healthcare, 11(2), 109q5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhrh-07-20170031

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