Group Therapy for Voice Hearers: Insights and Perspectives PDF
Preview Group Therapy for Voice Hearers: Insights and Perspectives
GROUP THERAPY FOR VOICE HEARERS Based on extensive interviews with expert facilitators from around the world and grounded in empirical evidence, Group Therapy for Voice Hearers includes numerous tips, strategies, case examples, and reflection questions to bring the material to life in a practical way. Chapters address the need for practical, accessible training in how to facilitate sessions and identify six key factors that lead to a successful session: safety, flexibility, empowerment, the inte- gration of lived experience, self-awareness, and attention to the needs of the group process. This book is an important resource for mental health profes- sionals working with clients who hear voices. Andrea D. Lefebvre, PsyD, LPC-ALPS, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist at Northwood Health Systems in Wheeling, West Virginia, and has lived experience as a former voice hearer. She is also a treatment team member of Quiet Minds, a first episode psychosis program in Northern West Virginia. Richard W. Sears, PsyD, PhD, MBA, ABPP, is a Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist in private practice in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is an international speaker and author on mindfulness and psychotherapy. Jennifer M. Ossege, PsyD, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and co-founder of Viewpoint Psychological Services, PLLC, a group practice offering counseling and psychological services. She also teaches at Xavier University and Union Institute & University in Cincinnati, Ohio. GROUP THERAPY FOR VOICE HEARERS Insights and Perspectives Andrea D. Lefebvre, Richard W. Sears, and Jennifer M. Ossege First published 2019 by Routledge 52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017 and by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2019 Andrea D. Lefebvre, Richard W. Sears, and Jennifer M. Ossege The right of Andrea D. Lefebvre, Richard W. Sears, and Jennifer M. Ossege to be identified as authors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A catalog record for this title has been requested ISBN: 978-1-138-50063-1 (hbk) ISBN: 978-1-138-50064-8 (pbk) ISBN: 978-1-315-14591-4 (ebk) Typeset in Baskerville by Deanta Global Publishing Services, Chennai, India To the members of my Voices and Visions group, both past and present: Your bravery and humor inspire me. CONTENTS About the Authors xi Acknowledgments xiv Introduction 1 1 Considerations for Non-Voice Hearers: Understanding the Continuum of Human Experiences 7 The Continuum of Sensory Perceptions 10 TVs and Radios 11 Paranoia 12 Extreme Mood State Experiences 14 Decentering and Defusion 15 Presence 17 Summary Points 17 References 18 2 Voice Hearing: Stigma and Treatment 19 Prevalence and Problems with Medication 19 Groups for Clients with Auditory Verbal Hallucinations 22 My Research Study 26 Summary Points 32 References 32 3 Essential Components: What Makes a Group for Voice Hearers Effective? 37 Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy for Psychosis 38 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Voice Hearing 41 viii c ontents Mechanisms of Change with Group Therapy for Hallucinations 43 Facilitators’ Opinions Regarding Effective AVH Groups 45 Other Therapeutic Factors Contributing to Good Group Outcomes 46 Differing Points of View Between Clients and Facilitators? 48 Summary Points 48 References 49 4 Importance of Ensuring Emotional Safety: Creating a Safe Atmosphere for All 53 Subtypes of Voices and Neuroscience 54 Spiritual Voices/Mystical Voices 59 Hypnagogic- and Hypnopompic-Related Voices (and Visions) 60 Alcohol- and Drug-Related Voices 61 Creating Safety 62 Respect My Authority—Regarding My Voices! 68 Respect Differences 70 Harmful Voices 71 Summary Points 75 References 77 5 Flexibility: Promoting Flexibility Sets the Tone 79 Singing with Sophie 80 The Group Room 83 Don’t Be Too Teachy! 84 Psychological Versus Spiritual 86 Meeting People Where They Are 90 Summary Points 92 A Few Art Therapy Resources 93 References 94 6 Use of Group Process to Foster Healthy Attachments: Language, Style, Humor, and Other Tips 97 “Am I in Trouble?” 97 Language Used 98 c ontents ix Facilitator Style 100 Humor 103 Curiosity Versus Voyeurism 104 Summary Points 109 7 Cultivating Self-Awareness: Helping Clients Make Meaning from Experiences 110 Dazed and Confused with Voices 110 Trauma, Voices, and Self-Awareness 111 Why Self-Awareness Should Be Cultivated in a Group Setting 113 Ways to Cultivate Self-Awareness for Voice Hearers 114 Processing the Process 117 Naming the Voices 118 Triggers for the Voices 118 Therapist Self-Awareness 120 How Does that Make You Feel? … and Other Comments that Irritate Clients 122 Summary Points 124 References 125 8 Encouraging Empowerment Among Group Members: Gaining a Sense of Control 126 Lost in the Crowd (in Our Minds) 126 Crowd Control—Why Is Empowerment Important for Voice Hearers? 127 Group Structure and Rules 128 Sit Where You Want 129 Coping Skills for Voice Hearers 129 Voices, Medications, and Non-Western Medical Treatments 134 Building Healthier Relationships with Voices in Our Heads 136 Advocating for Themselves 138 Summary Points 138 References 139
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