BIOLOGICAL BASIS AND ETHICAL/LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS OF PSYCHOTHERAPY
Many studies have found that psychotherapy is as effective as psychopharmacology in terms of influencing changes in behaviors, symptoms of anxiety, and changes in mental state. Changes influenced by psychopharmacology can be explained by the biological basis of treatments. But how does psychotherapy achieve these changes? Does psychotherapy share common neuronal pathways with psychopharmacology? Psychotherapy is used with individuals as well as in groups or families. The idea of discussing confidential information with a patient in front of an audience is probably quite foreign to you. However, in group and family therapy, this is precisely what the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner does. In your role, learning how to provide this type of therapy within the limits of confidentiality is essential. For this Discussion, you will consider whether psychotherapy also has a biological basis and analyze the ways in which legal and ethical considerations differ in the individual, family, and group therapy settings.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Biological Basis and Ethical/Legal Considerations of Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, a widely utilized treatment modality for mental health disorders, has been shown to be as effective as psychopharmacology in inducing behavioral changes, reducing symptoms of anxiety, and improving mental well-being. While the biological basis of psychopharmacology’s effects is well-established, the mechanisms through which psychotherapy achieves these changes are multifaceted and complex. Does psychotherapy share common neuronal pathways with psychopharmacology, and does it have its own biological underpinnings?
Biological Basis of Psychotherapy
Research suggests that psychotherapy can indeed lead to neurobiological changes in the brain. Studies have shown that certain types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based therapies, can alter brain activity and connectivity in regions associated with emotional regulation, cognitive processing, and stress response. For instance, CBT has been linked to changes in the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus, which play crucial roles in emotion regulation and memory.
Moreover, neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself in response to new experiences or learning, is believed to be a key mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of psychotherapy. By engaging in meaningful therapeutic conversations, processing emotions, and challenging maladaptive thought patterns, individuals may rewire neural circuits and create lasting changes in behavior and cognition.
Ethical and Legal Considerations in Psychotherapy Settings
When it comes to providing psychotherapy in individual, family, or group settings, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners must navigate various ethical and legal considerations to ensure patient confidentiality and well-being.
Individual Therapy:
In individual therapy, the therapist-patient relationship is private and confidential. The therapist is ethically bound to maintain confidentiality unless there is a risk of harm to the patient or others. Legal requirements mandate that patient information is protected under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations.
Family Therapy:
Family therapy involves discussing confidential information in the presence of multiple family members. Therapists must establish clear guidelines on confidentiality to ensure that all parties feel safe sharing personal information. Confidentiality waivers may be required to address situations where information needs to be shared among family members.
Group Therapy:
In group therapy, multiple individuals share personal experiences within a supportive environment. Maintaining confidentiality in group settings can be challenging but is essential for fostering trust and psychological safety. Therapists must educate group members about the limits of confidentiality and obtain consent for sharing information within the group.
Conclusion
While psychopharmacology influences changes through direct biological mechanisms, psychotherapy also exerts its effects by altering neural pathways and promoting neuroplasticity. Understanding the biological basis of psychotherapy can enhance our appreciation of its therapeutic benefits and inform treatment approaches.
In individual, family, and group therapy settings, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners must uphold ethical principles of confidentiality while adhering to legal guidelines to protect patient privacy and autonomy. By creating a safe and secure therapeutic environment, practitioners can facilitate meaningful healing experiences and promote positive outcomes for individuals and families seeking mental health support.
