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Analysis Of The Criticisms Of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

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Discuss some of the criticisms of cognitive behavioural therapy? Cognitive behavioural therapy is one of the youngest of todays popular psychotherapies that teaches clients to be their own therapist. It is a cognitive approach to modifying human behaviour, developed by A. Beck and A. Ellis. The ultimate goal of cognitive therapy is therefore the client becoming their own therapist, without the help of a trained therapist, and for them to subsequently deal with their illness using the techniques they have been taught (Beck 1985). It includes self help techniques that focus on the problems of the individual and symptoms that they experience, it requires structured sessions with a psychologist and it involves confronting emotions. This therapy …show more content…

Although cognitive behavioural therapy has been proven to be effective, no therapy is without its flaws, In this essay I will attempt to explore the criticisms of this therapy and effects these flaws can have on the patient. A general criticism of cognitive behavioural therapy is the decision of when to terminate the process, the cognitive view of termination is that clients see ending therapy as a loss. The average amount of sessions recommended for depression is twelve to twenty sessions (Beck 1980). Limited sessions provide limited time for schema work, schema work includes... If a client has a complex illness or has been suffering for a long time it will require a long process, by limiting the therapy this will take away its effectiveness, meaning this therapy is not ideal for people suffering from complex illness’. Ending the therapy can be harmful to the patient, during the process patients often develop a relationship with the doctor. If a client is not ready to terminate, this is a indication that the client relies on the therapist e.g. for reassurance (Wessler and Wessler 1980:182). During their time together the doctor will …show more content…

the depression has won. Most people have trouble accepting their feelings, especially feelings related to grief (Davidson and Neale 2001) the individuals emotional state of being must be considered when taking part in cognitive behavioural therapy. In some cases of stress where a patient has suffered a loss which has left them devastated, asking the patient to be rational under such circumstances would be inappropriate and also difficult for them to do. This is similar to addiction denial, some clients may deny that they have an addiction and are only attending therapy due to pressure from family friends etc. Refusing acceptance can reinforce difficulties and intensify negative feelings, if the client doesn’t choose to accept their illness it can be hard to move, not accepting their illness means they will be reluctant to try and find solutions. A similar issue to this is the Pollyanna problem, can you learn to think ‘healthfully’. Does cognitive behavioural therapy focus on forgetting the problems rather than treating them, If a client doesn’t believe the therapy will work they will be less inclined to try. Cognitive behavioural therapy is very time consuming and requires commitment and cooperation to increase the probability of success. In relation to this research has reported therapy didn’t reduce

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