A female client with obsessive-compulsive disorder is undergoing treatment in an outpatient setting and is attending group therapy sessions. She is working on controlling the compulsion of touching her head three times every time she talks

Question

To maintain the therapeutic relationship established with the client, by which action can the nurse show acceptance? a. Ignoring the compulsion during the group therapy session and talking with the client privately about the behavior
b. Asking the group to remind the client every time she touches her head to help her consciously stop the compulsion
c. Pointing out the compulsion to the group each time the client exhibits the behavior
d. Asking the client to stop talking during the group session until she has learned to control her compulsion

Answer 1

A
Ignoring the behavior in group therapy shows acceptance of the behavior because the nurse does not embarrass the client in front of the group. Talking with her privately shows compassion for the client. Asking the group to remind the client of the compulsion and pointing out the compulsion to the group could belittle the client. Asking the client to stop talking would defeat the purpose of the support of belonging to a therapeutic group.