Comparison CBT in family and group settings
According to Nichols (2014), initially, the basis of family therapy was drawn from small group dynamics. In both cases, they depend on the group being an important idea to the member’s mind to ensure continuity. Also, the group is more than the sum of its individual member, and family must not only work on an individual but the family as a system. CBT in both case, takes the premise that emotional distress and maladaptive behaviors are result of maladaptive cognitions. As such, in both case, in a therapeutic relationship, the therapist and identify and modify maladaptive cognitions that result in emotional and behavioral problems (Wheeler, 2014). A major distinction is that family CBT focuses on the family as a unit, where the individual change results in a beneficial change to self and family. Whereas in therapy, members contribute and benefit at a personal level. For instance, the cohesion of the group is vital for optimizing clinical outcome in both settings, and dissents severely affect outcomes.
Challenges in group therapy
One of the challenges is that CBT groups can function poorly, based on patient factors that impair cohesion. As such, some groups will do well than others, and success or failure is inherent to the group more than the individual member. Consequently, in case of group conflicts or difficulties finding common ground is not based on the CBT model, but the group factors and group processes. So when the group is deemed is poorly functioning, by members or therapist, it is unlikely they are related to the CBT technique. Therefore proficiency in CBT but rather leadership plays in maintaining group cohesion. Leadership skills can, therefore, not be understated, bearing in mind that each group is unique (Bieling, McCabe, & Antony (2013).