Theory and Practical Application of Psychotherapy Essay

Assignment Task

Background Information

The purpose of this essay is to examine your ability to apply psychotherapeutic Approaches in consumer care within mental health settings. Psychotherapies, whether used as a stand-alone treatment or an adjunct to medications to enhance consumer outcomes, have the potential to teach lifelong coping and behavioural strategies.

There are often times when consumers may require support and guidance in their use of psychotherapeutic techniques, such as in times of acute distress. The aim of the assessment task is to develop a deeper understanding of the principles of one of the psychotherapies covered in this course, as well as the role of the mental health nurse and psychotherapeutic approaches when working with families / carers / next of kin.

Assessment 

Cathy and Jo have been in a relationship for the past 5 years. Both describe a positive, supportive relationship, with normal disagreements, however state they are always able to resolve any issues. Cathy remains on maternity leave since the birth of their first child Isabelle. From relatively early in their relationship they had decided that having a family was extremely important to them.

Cathy gave birth to their first child Isabelle 3 years ago, following a number of IVF cycles. Cathy reports an uneventful pregnancy and post-partum period from a physical health perspective, although she did find the pregnancy stressful, as she felt the pressure of ensuring the pregnancy went to term and their baby was healthy, given the cost and toll that IVF takes. However, she did not seek professional advice around her anxiety, and found that maternity services, although acknowledging her stress, didn’t understand the level of her anxiety.

Cathy and Jo underwent 5 cycles of IVF after the birth of Isabelle and 5 days ago gave birth to their second child Jack. Jo has contacted mental health services as she is reporting that Cathy “doesn’t seem to be ok.” Cathy has been reluctant to let Jo hold him, and Jo says that when she goes near Jack, Cathy will come over and seem to be “monitoring her”. Jo states she (Cathy) is very different to how she was with Isabelle. Jo also reports she hasn’t been eating much and when asked “why” avoids the topic. Jo reports Cathy asked her if she had “put something in the food” two days ago, but since denies saying this.

Cathy’s mother contacted Jo recently after Cathy called her stating “I don’t think it’s Jo here, it must be an imposter wanting to take Jack.” Cathy’s mother also reports Cathy has stated she is worried that “Isabelle will hurt Jack because her eyes seem different and evil.”

Cathy was transferred to the adult mental health ward as there are currently no beds in the mother-baby unit. Jo brings Jack into the unit daily at arranged times for Cathy to breast feed him, and in between Cathy expresses milk so that she can feed him overnight.

You have nursed Cathy over the past 3 days and have developed some rapport.

She has a woman who has been talking to her and telling her she needs to be careful as others may be trying to harm her. The woman is telling Cathy not to eat the food at the hospital as it may be poisoned, which is why she is only trusting her mother to bring in food.

The woman talking to her has told her that the person visiting stating she is Jo is an imposter, which is causing Cathy’s distress, as she is unsure what has happened to Jo. Cathy’s anxiety increases when Jo brings Jack in for visits and feeds, as Cathy is not sure this is really Jo, even though everyone else seems to believe it is her.

Cathy becomes very anxious and upset, when Jo arrives, and also when she leaves with Jack, as Cathy is not sure what this woman will do with her son, and whether he is safe. Given that Cathy is wanting to continue to breast feed Jack, her psychiatrist is recommending psychotherapy in conjunction with antipsychotic medications given the limitations to pharmacological treatment.

 Assessment Task

Students are to select one of the psychotherapies covered in this course that would be appropriate in this case scenario and:

• Discuss the chosen psychotherapy in relation to the care of Cathy and it’s benefits and challenges.
• Explore the role of the mental health nurse in providing the chosen psychotherapy to Cathy as part of nursing care.
• Explore the role of the mental health nurse in providing carer support to Jo as the nominated support person/next of kin with a focus on how the chosen psychotherapeutic approach may also benefit Jo.

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