Richard J. Riordan

Burnout Prevention among Health Care Providers Working with the Terminally Ill: A Literature Review.

A review of the literature on burnout and its prevention among caregivers to the dying is presented in this article. The literature shows that health care providers who work with the dying do experience many stressors unique to the specialty, but also many which are common to other health care workers. External and internal stressors common to this specialty field are summarized, and suggestions for reduction or elimination of these stressors are generated from the literature. A self-care wellness program is extracted from the various literature sources and provides what is thought to be an essential foundation to burnout prevention.

Some critical differences between self-help and therapy groups

Abstract The authors explore differences between self-help and therapy groups, with attention to their application to different client populations and concerns.

Codependent Christians: Some Issues for Church-Based Recovery Groups

Codependents who are Christians often wrestle with theological as well as psychological issues in working through codependent behavior. In such cases, the church-based group can provide a unique setting for restructuring belief systems that may incorporate Scripture. This environment can also provide a safe place for self-revelation among Christians who share a community and a common faith. This article outlines an approach to the integration of scriptural and psychological principles in addressing codependence. Based on suggested biblical passages and Cermak & Browns (1982) five core issues of codependence–-control, trust, personal needs, responsibility, and feeling–-a framework is provided for discussion and intervention in the group setting. The authors note the advantages of using this approach for both the group and the church in which it is based.

The Use of Mirror Image Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

Mirror image therapy is a technique that has been effectively used in substance abuse treatment programs. This article explores the dynamics of the mirror phenomenon and describes the process of assigning an individual who has already undergone both inpatlent and outpatient treatment to other sites where patients are just beginning a program. The therapeutic model is based on successful application with impaired professionals in the Atlanta, Georgia substance abuse treatment community.