Case_Study_18392

Philosophy of Counseling Paper: Cognitive-behavioral Theory is effective for empirical people who believe that behavior is an environment product. In addition, cognitive theory describes people as creative, and connects thinking and feeling. I chose this professional helping theory because it best fits my counseling style. I personally value and prefer this particular cognitive-behavioral orientation because I believe that it helps the client focus on the therapy as a learning process. The client learns new ways to cope with problems more effectively. Cognitive-behavioral theory stresses the role of thinking, deciding, questioning, doing, and re-deciding. The major determinants of how we feel and act are primarily leaned through cognition and behavior. This theory emphasizes the learning process, which structures a psychoeducational model. It permits new ways of thinking, focuses on the practice of new skills, and acquiring effective problem coping behaviors. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is character based, and for individual people who incorporate faulty thinking, which leads to emotional and behavioral disturbances. There have been studies conducted, and cognitive-behavioral theory has been the coping strategy of choice. “Previous research has established that parents commonly experience intrusive harm-related thoughts pertaining to their infants (e.g., "My baby might die from SIDS"). Cognitive-behavioral models of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) posit that maladaptive strategies for managing such thoughts play a role in the development and maintenance of obsessional problems.” This is a good example of the basic philosophies 1 supporting cognitive-behavioral theory. The client, in the case, would need to examine the faulty assumptions and misconceptions associated with thought of the infants actual condition. “Strategies involving distraction, self-punishment, and reappraisal of the intrusive thought were positively related to the severity of obsessional symptoms. Punishment was also positively associated with depressive symptoms. Results are discussed in terms cognitive-behavioral models of OCD” (Larsen, Karin E., Schwartz, Stefanie A., Whiteside, Stephen P., Khandker, Maheruh, Moore, Katherine M., Abramowitz, Jonathan S. P. 435). Theorists who have influenced personal theoretical orientation: There are a couple of the theorist who has influenced the personal theoretical orientation for the cognitive-behavioral theory. The theorists associated with the cognitive theory are Aaron Beck and David Burns, who went to school for pragmatic psychology. Their intent was to change thinking, identify beliefs, and study the awareness of automatic thoughts. The main theorist for the behavioral therapy was B.F Skinner, who studied behavioral psychology, and environmental change, as well as, specific behavioral change. All of this has influenced the cognitive-behavioral theory. View of human nature: The human nature of the theory views this disorder as the cause that results from one’s belief system, and the internal dialog plays a role as well. 2 This theory is perceived through the reindoctrination of the now, although the actually psychological problem is rooted at childhood. Beliefs about the process of change and facilitating change: Cognitive-behavioral theory involves thinking, judging, analyzing and doing. It focuses on teaching new way of thinking by reinforcing in the present time, and examining discrepancies between values and behaviors. Some of the other theories associated with cognitive-behavioral are the following: Rational-Emotion Behavioral Therapy (REBT), Reality Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies. Rational-Emotional Therapy concentrates on our emotions stemming from our beliefs, evaluations, interpretations, and reactions to life situations. The Reality Therapy examines the process of changing actions as an ability that we all have, even though we might not feel that way. “Reality Therapy- focuses the total behavior including doing, thinking, feelings, and physiologies make you a whole. We have the ability to change what we are doing and thinking, in spite of how we might be feeling. This therapy stresses a much more directive and educational role of the therapist.” (Jewel Jones) Cognitive Therapy recognizes negative thoughts and maladaptive beliefs that assist change in the way the client thinks by using a plan to reconstruct the thinking change taken place. Cognitive-behavioral Therapies use’s REBT to utilize the ABC analysis that generates positive change. A stands for: something happens. B stands for the particular belief about the situation. And C, you have an emotional reaction to the belief. The therapist uses, and teaches the A-B-C model that changes the clients cognitions. 3 Nature of the Counseling Relationship and Process: The focus in Cognitive Therapy is on the collaborative relationship. The counselor assists the client in identifying dysfunctional beliefs. The counselor also discovers alternative rules for living for the client. The therapist acts as the teacher and teaches new abilities and skills to the client. This is where the A-B-C model acts as a crucial ingredient in the implementation of cognitive reasoning within the client. “The therapist promotes corrective experiences that lead to learning new skills” (An Integrative Perspective. Pg. 468.). The client understands their problem better and practice changing self-defeating ways, such as, acting and thinking. In this way, it is important to maintain a truthful, secure, confident relationship between the client and the helper to be effective in completing cognitive-behavioral therapy. Role of the Counselor and Client: In REBT, the therapist functions as the teacher, while the client is the student. The relationship is imperative to the helping session because of their roles. The Goals and Purpose of Counseling: 4 One of the major goals is to challenge the client to face their faulty beliefs. The counselor must have consistent evidence that the client has confronted his or her beliefs and evaluated the alternatives to change their cognitions. The other portion of this goal is to be aware of automatic thoughts and change them. The essential objective is for change to occur; the change could be an environmental change, specific behavioral change, change in thinking, identifying and awareness. Procedures and Techniques of counseling processes: Therapist use cognitive, emotive, and behavioral methods. There are also diverse methods for individual clients. Some of the cognitive methods consist of disputing irrational beliefs, cognitive homework, changing one’s language, and using humor. The Emotive techniques consist of rational-emotive imagery, role-playing, shame attacking exercises, and use of force and vigor. I personal prefer role-playing as an effective technique. To be an efficient helper I would use these methods to perform cognitivebehavioral therapy. A behavioral technique that I would use is operant conditioning, which is learned through controlling the consequences of the person’s behavior. Positive reinforcement is the best way to change someone or an action. “Positive reinforcement occurs when a behavior (response) is followed by a favorable stimulus (commonly seen as pleasant) that increases the frequency of that behavior” ( Staddon, J.E.R, Cerutti, D.T., Pg. 57). Other behavioral techniques would be self-management principals, systematic desensitization, relaxation techniques, modeling, and assertiveness training. Learning 5 new coping skills, forming alternative interpretations and a majority of the techniques come from confronting faulty behaviors. Indications of successful counseling: This therapy has been known to treat depression, anxiety, martial problems, stress management, skill training, substance abuse, assertion training, eating disorders, panic attacks, and social phobia. This approach is successful at assisting people in modifying their cognitions, and their way of thinking negatively. Observing the clients intake of the given techniques, and evaluating their effectiveness towards therapy in general will indicate higher levels of realization. Also, the counselor and client relationship is an important aspect. “Because cognitive-behavioral therapy encourages the development of concrete, specific goals and has specific, testable techniques, it is an approach to counseling and psychotherapy that is easily researched. It is the most researched psychotherapeutic approach, and, therefore, the most ‘Evidence-Based’” (The National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist). Response/Sensitivity to diverse cultural and gender issues presented by clients: The collaborative approach allows clients to express their initial concerns at any defected area they want to explore. The psychoeducational model is constructive in discover culture conflicts, and teaching new behaviors towards these cultural conflicts. 6 “The emphasis on thinking (as opposed to identifying and expressing feelings) is likely to be acceptable to many clients” (An Integrative Perspective. Pg. 476). The stigma of mental illness is avoided through the training, teaching, and learning approach being the focus of cognitive-behavioral based therapy, which is an advantage to both the counselor, and client. There are some limitations in multicultural counseling, such as moving quickly and misinterpreting the client’s world. To understand and respect their culture is very important for the helper to know. I say this because some people question their own cultural values and beliefs, and the client could depend too much on the counselor’s perception to solve problems. Limitations of Personal Theory: The cognitive therapy might be too structured for the client. There is other limitations that play down emotions, and avoids exploring the unconscious conflicts. In addition, the focus is the furthest away form the past so there could be come underlying problems. The confronting therapy could lead to early termination of the program. 7 Bibliography: • Larsen, Karin E., Schwartz, Stefanie A., Whiteside, Stephen P., Khandker, Maheruh, Moore, Katherine M., Abramowitz, Jonathan S. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy. Winter2006, Vol. 20 Issue 4, p435-445, 11p • • • • Jewel Jones lecture and notes. Nov.2008 An Integrative Perspective. Pg. 463-478. Article Handout. Staddon, J.E.R, Cerutti,D.T., 2003. Annual Review of Psychology, p.5763. The National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist.2008. http://www.nacbt.org/ 8