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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Case Study

Decent Essays

As Alonza’s counselor, I chose to conceptualize his case from a cognitive-behavioral approach, while incorporating techniques from a solution-focused theory and a person-centered way of being. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) will help Alonza gain skills to re-structure some of his beliefs about self and others, and improve his social skills, self-control, impulse-management, and other problem-solving abilities. Techniques from solution-focused therapy will help draw focus on Alonza’s strengths and encourage different perspectives during this transition time. Finally, a person-centered way of being will help establish therapeutic alliance with Alonza and help him work through feelings of grief, anger, sadness and any other emotions that come …show more content…

Therefore, many scholars have also called for an integration of strength-based/solution-focused approaches to prisoner re-entry (Hunter, Lanza, Lawlor, Dyson, & Gordon, 2015). The authors argue that in contrast to traditional, deficit-driven approaches, in which individuals are viewed as lacking appropriate skills and abilities, strength-based/solution-focused models focus on identifying assets and building on those to promote positive change. By identifying strengths and setting goals, ex-offenders are assisted in participating in activities that place them in a helping role. This allows offenders to recognize that they are of value and can contribute positively to a community (Brun & Rapp, 2001, as cited in Hunter et al., 2015). Lebel, Richie, and Maruna (2015) argue that the role of a helper or a wounded healer reinforces personal learning, leads to increased feelings of interpersonal competence, a sense of meaning and purpose in life, improved self-esteem, and a sense of accomplishment. They advocate that this process in turn helps an ex-prisoner transform from being part of the problem into being part of the …show more content…

These objectives are based on CBT, strength-based/solution-focused theories and person-centered way of being. To facilitate the process, a key first step in CBT often involves psychoeducation to explain that thoughts underlie feelings and actions. Through evaluating thinking in a more realistic way, the clients are guided to develop more adaptive and positive ways of responding to the situations and triggers in their lives and experience improvement in their emotional state and behavior. Some of the major experiential strategies, skills, and techniques utilized in CBT are re-framing and Socratic questioning, which help clients challenge their thinking and assess their beliefs in terms of their usefulness and relevance (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2013). Other powerful methods that would intersect with person-centered approach is daily diary keeping of events, thoughts, and feelings, which helps people increase awareness of their inner and outer experiences. By using other CBT techniques such as modeling and role-playing (e.g., interviewing), counselors assist clients in learning new skills and behaviors to function more effectively. Finally, by learning relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing, the client gains skills to manage stress and anxiety, and appreciate that whatever thoughts come up are okay and that he does not have to react to

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