Cognitive Theory and Therapy
Cognitive Theory and therapy appear to have developed as a reaction to Behaviorism simplistic view of human behavior. Cognitive Theory attempts to address variables that Behaviorism failed to account for in the previous behavioral models such as individual differences, thoughts, and emotions (as cited in Heffner, 2017). Cognitive Theory appears to be based on the premise that cognitive schemes and thoughts influence feelings, and, in turn, feelings influence and drive behaviors. Cognitive therapies within this model appear to focus on addressing faulty cognitions through directive exercises in an attempt to modify or extinguish an individual’s unwanted behaviors.
Techniques and Application
Cognitive therapies
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Using a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach, Ferergrad helped a client examine her negative thoughts and cognitive schemas (Dobson, 2012) surrounding her anxiety disorder. Feregrad guided the client first when dicussing her thoughts and feelings, and then with behavioral techniques that helped the client navigate distress. Challenging and examining the client’s thoughts and schemas associated with anxiety helped the client see how her feeling influenced her thoughts and her thoughts influenced her feelings, which influenced her behavior. Next, the clinician guided the client through breathing exercises that produced physical symptoms associated with anxiety and then relaxation. The effect of these breathing exercises appeared to be helpful for the client because she was able to examine how her thoughts affected her behavior. How her behavior in turn helped to re-enforce her thoughts, she was, therefore, able to differentiate between her thoughts, emotions, and actions to work toward some her goals using these techniques to address her …show more content…
Therefore, some therapies may be overly directive and structured for some individuals. The treatment sessions may also be inadequate for some situations. Furthermore, some Cognitive Theory therapies use formal assessment measures to monitor a client’s improvement over time (Dobson, 2012). The use of assessments and the formal monitoring of symptoms may make some client’s uncomfortable. Therefore, the clinician may want to take culture, situation, and individual client factors into
Applying the standard Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) model could present challenges when working with terminal cancer patients. CBT has generally targeted unrealistic fears and worries in otherwise healthy people with clinically significant anxiety symptoms (Greer, Park, Prigerson & Safren, 2010). The traditional CBT model typically does not sufficiently address negative thought patterns among cancer patients that are rational, but nonetheless intrusive and distressing, such as concerns about cancer-related pain, disability and death, as well as management of multiple stressors, changes in functional status and intense medical treatments (Greer, Park, Prigerson & Safren, 2010). Using CBT with terminal cancer patients may present a challenge because some level of adverse thought is expected due to the diagnosis of a terminal illness. When a client is facing death, it may come off as
Cognitive theory focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Social workers assist clients in identifying patterns of irrational and self-destructive thoughts and behaviors that influence emotions. Cognitive theory allows social workers to assess the client’s schemata, identify any dysfunctional thought patterns, and consider the evidence supporting a client’s belief in order to clients to adjust their process to better facilitate the attainment of goals and experience more positive emotions (Hutchison, 2013. P. 119). On the other hand, cognitive therapy cannot encourage clients to rationalize their problems with negative thoughts and irrational thinking due to oppressive external circumstances.
We can control our behavior by avoiding environments that the trait relevant behavior might be activated by. We can also reduce the membership of perceptions, attitudes, affective reactions, and behavioral responses from our schema. 2. If “behavioral responses to situations are… represented mentally,” what does that teach us about therapy?
According to Corey (2008), “anxiety results from having to face choices without clear guidelines and without knowing what the outcomes will be and from being aware that we are ultimately responsible for the consequences of our actions.” Challenging Mark to face his anxiety will help him to understand anxiety as an unavoidable element rooted within any life event and if unmanaged it can create barriers to his personal growth and experiencing his life to the fullest. By guiding Mark to gain a better understanding of his anxiety and how it interacts within his life he will gain the insight on how his anxiety can be managed as a resource for his personal
It is believed the most influential model in treatment methods of depression has been Aaron Beck’s cognitive theory of depression (Beck 1976). Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the most widely practised branch of psychotherapy. It was developed in the seventies by Professor Aaron T Beck. He concluded that in his treatment of depression, a combination of cognitive and behaviour therapies were more effective than psychoanalysis. By using clinical observation of depressed patients Beck was able to come to the conclusion that patients had a negative cognitive triad where they had a negative view of themselves, the world and their future.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based psychological therapy. The emphasis is on recognising and modifying negative thoughts and beliefs and maladaptive behaviours, subsequently impacting on mood and emotions. I am a Psychologist and Clinical Hypnotherapist based in Castlebar, Co.Mayo that offers Cognitive Behavioural Therapy sessions to clients based in Castlebar and the wider Mayo hinterland. Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH) is a combination of cognitive, behavioural and hypnosis interventions.
Phase One (Sessions 1 through 3) • The session 1 and 2 consists of the assessment of the client’s clinical problems and background information. Questions relate to her clinical problems, including (a) the nature of her problems (depression and difficulty with making decisions), (b) reason of seeking psychotherapy, and (c) previous attempts to deal with the problems. For the background information, the client’s histories are assessed in the areas of intimate/family relationship, educational/vocational activities, past history of psychological treatment, and physical condition. Session 3 primarily consists on the further functional assessment around her coping skills (e.g., avoidance) in the areas of interpersonal relationships. Phase Two
Behavior therapy was studied by Ivan Pavlov and his famous dog study in which dogs were conditioned to salivate upon hearing a bell. It was later continued to be studied by John Watson who has the famous “Little Albert” study in which an 11-month old infant was conditioned to be scared of fuzzy white things because a rat was paired with a loud noise. The conclusion of the two conditioning experiences was that, behaviors followed by satisfying experiences tend to increase in frequency and behaviors followed by aversive experiences tend to decrease in frequency” (Thoma, 2015). Watson’s assistant Mary Jones, used this principle to clinical applications reasoning that, “if conditioning could be used to induce a phobia, perhaps it could be used to undo a phobia as well” (Thoma, 2015). Thus, behavior therapy was developed and began being used for
According to Corey, behavior therapy refers to the application of diverse techniques and procedures that are rooted in various theories of learning”. (p.338.) The purpose of Prolonged Exposure
These approaches are modern-day behaviorism, rational emotive behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, and reality therapy. Each one of these forms of therapy make up what we now as the cognitive behavior approaches. These approaches were developed by men like Albert Ellis, Aaron Beck, and William Glasser. The cognitive-behavioral therapies are meant to be a short term treatment. It is goal orientated, and a pretty hands on approach.
Unconscious thoughts influence behavior, and the moment it processes painful feelings, they are alleviated by the defense mechanisms. According to Higdon (2012), psychological interpretation of emotional and mental processes is informed by ego psychology, object relations, and self-psychology. Psychodynamic therapy acts as a simpler alternative of
We also tend to forget the other judgement and that is us, we are also influenced in our non verbal. She became interested in power dynamic, especially in nonverbal expression in power and dominance.
I have always found behavioral theory/therapy interesting, due to the fact that I am on board with the idea that behaviors are learned in some way, shape, or form; whether or not we were intended to learn the behavior. As therapists, I feel one of the biggest things we will be doing is helping our clients unlearn a behavior that will spark more positive changes in their lives. Along with that, one thing I really like about how the text presents behavioral therapy is its explanation of positive reinforcement and punishment and how it explains how they are simple concepts, yet they are complex and not as easy as they seem. I also like the idea of self-monitoring, while it can have its setbacks if a client does not record any information or records unnecessary information, it can really be beneficial to the client and therapist.
There was strong evidence to support the use of cognitive-behavioral
Cognitive behavioral theory draws on both cognitive and behavioral theories, which have different emphases. Cognitive theory attempts to expound human behavior by comprehending the thought processes. According to cognitive theory, our dysfunctional thoughts lead to maladaptive behaviors. Problems are recognized as being learned behaviors and the solution is to get rid of the old ones and acquire new ones. Behavioral theory assumes that one’s success will depend greatly on their behavior.