Word of The Day - Supression or Denial

Suppression or Denial - Suppression or Denial is not done unconsciously or automatically, it takes place when an individual purposely don't think about a situation or predicament.

Word of the Day - Abreaction (Catharsis)

Abreaction (Catharsis) - Abreaction or Catharsis is the release of repressed emotions.

Insecure and Security (Quote) - Wayne Dyer

Word of the Day - Identification

Identification - Identification  is when  person joins a feared  group or individual (e.g. a gang) to relieve their  anxiety/stress.

Word of the Day - Rationalization

Rationalization -  Rationalization is when an individual overrates or underrates a reward or an end results of certain life situations or circumstances.

How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is Used in Counseling

By:  Kimberly Swanson, PsyM, LAPC, CNA

According to Grand Canyon University (2014), reality therapy is used to assist clients with having the capabilities of being responsible and to own the consequences for their behaviors.  Reality therapy is focused on the client identifying prosperity which creates positive behaviors and the belief in personal accountability (Glasser, 1998).    Usually, this type of therapy is used when someone is exhibiting counter-productive behaviors (e.g. drug  addiction, gambling issues, etc.) 

Whereas cognitive and cognitive behavioral therapy are often used and defined interchangeably. There are many benefits when using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in comparison to behavioral therapy.  Behavioral therapy (BT) utilizes approaches that confront the clients with their issues whereas with cognitive therapy (CT) the client addresses their issues through self-discoveries about their misconceived views, counter-productive behaviors, and mental processing (Grand Canyon, 2014).  Another benefit is that with CT the client gets to see how their mental processing can cause problems and their personal directives can be the contributing factors of their pain and suffering.

There are four goals and interventional strategies that will be used to assist the client in reaching their goals. The four goals are (Archer & McCarthy, 2010):  1.  The client develops their truth; 2.  Cognition leads to causes and reactions; 3.  Cognition is knowing that there is knowledge and that it can be accessed; 4.  Cognitive transitions are the center point of changing human behavior.

Cognitive Behaviors Therapy stems from Aaron Beck’s previous study on depression which showed that clients tend to view certain situations in a negative light, which causes mental  distortions that need to be addressed in therapy (Sharf, 2008).  Cognitive therapy is an organized technique that is limited with a time and focuses on the here and now (Grand Canyon University, 2014);  this type of therapy  is  designed for short-term counseling.

Cognitive therapy is a technique that requires collaboration in which the counselor and the client work together to recognize the mental patterns and builds a therapeutic foundation for intervening through various outcomes (Grand Canyon University, 2014).  Counselor assists client in utilizing certain mental strategies; these mental strategies include bibliotherapy and assigning certain homework or tasks for the client to engage in and to be a part of (Grand Canyon University, 2014). 

For Cognitive Therapy, counselor’s roles are is to assist the client to take a look at the truths in their lives.  For instance, if a female client is overwhelmed with taking care of her newborn baby by herself due to her husband being deployed for military duty,  the counselor would help the client to see this as truth and finding alternative ways for getting support for caring for her child.  Then the counselor would introduce the client to various resources that may be available to her as well as assist with modifying lifestyle changes for transitioning behaviors.  The client's change in behavior and lifestyle would enable her to overcome anxiety and depression due to her circumstances.

With this type of therapy, the client has various roles.  First, the client starts to identify their misconceived views (Grand Canyon University, 2014).  Then they get a chance to analyze their counter-productive behaviors and see where they have gone wrong.  And next, they go through some mental processing to see how they can fix their problems.

This type of therapy is best for individuals who voluntarily seek counseling.  Cognitive Behaviors Therapy stems from Aaron Beck’s previous study on depression which showed that clients tend to view certain situations in a negative light, which causes mental distortions that needs to be addressed in therapy (Sharf, 2008).    This type of therapy works well with people who are suffering from anxiety and depression.   And this therapeutic technique also addresses the social and cultural needs of the client;  this is done by encouraging the client to self-evaluate themselves and see how their views and behaviors affect their interactions with the world.  And how they themselves can make a change and difference through their own actions.

Reference

Archer, J., McCarthy, C.J.  (2010).   Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: Contemporary applications.  Retrieved from http://wps.prenhall.com/chet_archer_theories_1/47/12099/3097483.cw/index.html.

Glasser, W.  (1998).  Choice theory:  A new psychology of personal freedom.  New York, NY:  Harper Collins.

Grand Canyon University (2014).  Classical psychotherapies (lecture notes).  Retrieved from https://lc-grad2.gcu.edu.

Sharf, R.S.  (2008).  Theories of psychotherapy and counseling:  Concepts and Cases (4th) Belmont, CA:  Wadsworth/Thomson

Copyrighted 2017 by Purpoz Counseling & Wellness Center, LLC

Word of the Day - Sublimation

Sublimation -  Sublimation is a term that is usually associated with career counseling.  It is  when a person expresses unacceptable impulses/behaviors within a sociably  acceptable manner.

Two Personalities Reaction & Transformation (Quote - Carl Jung)