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Turning the Tides: Coping with Trauma and Addiction through Residential Adolescent Group Therapy
Author(s) -
Bougard Katherine Gardner,
Laupola Tina Marie Truncellito,
ParkerDias Joan,
Creekmore Jeremy,
Stangland Stacey
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of child and adolescent psychiatric nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.331
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1744-6171
pISSN - 1073-6077
DOI - 10.1111/jcap.12164
Subject(s) - group psychotherapy , addiction , curriculum , medicine , coping (psychology) , psychiatry , clinical psychology , interpersonal communication , integrative psychotherapy , psychology , psychotherapist , social psychology , pedagogy
TOPIC Evidence‐based group therapy in an inpatient setting that provides an integrated treatment approach for both trauma and addiction in female adolescents. PURPOSE The purpose of this evidence‐based practice (EBP) project was to implement and assess the impact of an integrated group therapy approach for both posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) in adolescent females as part of a residential treatment program. SOURCES The Iowa Model of EBP guided this EBP project. Judith Herman's three‐stage model of trauma recovery and the Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR) model served as the theoretical framework for the group therapy curriculum. Two programs, Seeking Safety, by Lisa Najavits and VOICES, by Stephanie Covington, provided a guide for group topics and activities. CONCLUSIONS Patients that participated in Turning the Tides © group therapy curriculum reported a decrease in overall PTSD symptoms and decreased functional impairment scores, based on the Child PTSD Symptoms Scale. However, there was a statistically significant increase in the use of as needed medications following the completion of group therapy. Postgroup evaluations from patients indicated a genuine desire to engage in the group therapy as well as an increased sense of trust with facilitators. Implications for psychiatric nursing include the delivery of safe, quality patient care as evidenced by positive improvement in patient outcomes.