Summary Of Object Relations Theory And Cognitive-Behavioral Theory

Both of the selected theories place high importance on the relationship between the counselor and client. Given that research indicates

During your undergraduate studies, you learned to assess your client’s issues and/or concerns and your planning process for intervention, you decided with your client what behaviors to target for change.

I have recently undertaken client work as part of the academic requirement of this course and have experienced first-hand the important role which self-reflection plays when a client’s description of their problems, struck a similar chord within my own life. The identification of this set of maladaptive behaviours and rules of thought have only been identified and addressed due to participation of this Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Postgraduate Diploma and my initial work as a Trainee Therapist.

In this class we’ve learned that both Behavior Theory and Cognitive Behavior Theory both help explain human behavior through an A-B-C model or method. What are the A-B-Cs of Cognitive Behavior Theory?

A person’s theoretical orientation is important because it provides a framework for how an individual’s problem has developed and how the problem can be resolved. It is the guiding principle in treatment and how the counselor interacts with the client. A counselor’s theoretical orientation shows their personal style and traces back to several factors like the counselor’s life experiences, values, beliefs, and perspectives. Having knowledge of a particular theory helps to address the clients major life issues and confidence in their competence. This paper will depict the theoretical orientations used, case conceptualizations, and how I have become an instrument of social change in my internship experience.

Through my academic and clinical training, I have developed an integrative theoretical orientation. Foundational to my therapeutic approach is establishing an empathic, caring, genuine, and authentic relationship with my client. My perspective on therapy utilizes a strength-based, trauma informed, and developmental lens. With this foundation and perspective, I explore the unique interaction within and between my client’s intrapersonal dimensions and their context.

“Adam” is a nineteen-year-old, African American male who was admitted to The Bridge on 12/1/16 for residential substance abuse treatment. He was court ordered to the facility due to a violation of probation for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He has a history of using substances which started at the age of fifteen with smoking marijuana. At the age of sixteen, Adam sprained his ankle and was prescribed Percocets for the pain. He started talking the medication as prescribed but gradually started using them recreationally when he went to parties with his friends.

Theories play an important role in how a counselor serves their clients. Theories provide counselors with a foundation on which to build their counseling style. “Theories ground us as professional counselors. They provide a means to understand what we are doing, how we are serving clients, and how to explain counseling to clients” (Erford, 2010). Counselors are responsible for being aware of different theories in order to apply them appropriately within their practice. Established and new theories play an important and constant role in mental health counseling. Established theories in mental health counseling are based on “empirical or scientific foundations” (American Counseling Association, 2005). The best way to gain the most

‘Clients often are able to provide a theory or an idea of cause, blaming past experiences for behaviors of which they are ashamed. The therapist listens to their explanations however are concerned more with their willingness to accept responsibility for their future behavior and the achievement for their attainable goals’ (Milner & O Byrne, P162). Furthermore, by ‘Acknowledging the clients paradoxical strategies have the effect of empowering clients of their perfectly valid cautious, more fearful concerns about change and leaving them to operate out of their arguments as to why change should be attempted’ (Cade, B. p156).

There are many values this writer wishes to incorporate into a counseling relationship. The fundamental values this writer wishes to incorporate are: flexibility, self-awareness, self-regulation, and empathy. The ability to be flexible and alter what one does in order to fit the client’s needs is crucial to establishing and maintaining a therapeutic relationship. Flexibility can be demonstrated in many different ways, such as the way the therapist interacts with the client, the tone of voice that is utilized, down to the way the therapist provides material to the client. In being flexible, treatment is able to remain focused on the client and his or her needs (Egan, 2014).

Object relations theory is a psychodynamic theory that observes our capability to form long-lasting attachments, and is based on our early experiences of disconnection from and connections with out primary caregivers. We internalize our initial relationship examples, which means that our first relationships make lasting impressions on us, determining how we approach future relationships. Also, object relations theory studies how people form various attitudes towards others and how those attitudes affect their view of themselves as well as social relationships. There is a central notion of object relation’s theory, which is that all people naturally search for relationships with others, what this theory looks at is how well an individual can form the interpersonal relationship and what, if any, deficiencies in social functioning may have occurred. For social workers, this theory is helpful in seeing an individual in the framework of the relationship rather than an individual being. According to object relations theory, the ultimate situation is to be raised by caregivers who in turn help us to progressively and appropriately move away from their physical and emotional direct care while they continue to convey their availability for support (Hutchison, 2013). These early associations are a major determinant of our personalities and the quality of our interpersonal performance (Hutchison, 2013; Dorfman, Meyer, & Morgan, 1998). Essentially, an

I think one’s philosophy is like a metaphor, a fast way of hypothesizing a problem or situation while broadening the clinician's understanding of a client’s case. Likewise, the theory provides generalizations that not only clarify one’s understanding, but also connect therapist to similar conclusions about other circumstances (Ryan, Lynch, Vansteenkiste, & Deci, 2011). The method creates knowledge serving as a road map for new counselors, providing a direction to ensure they are on track to plan an effective healing approach for their clients (Hutchinson, 2015). It is the general narratives of one’s integrity of understanding, interpreting, ultimately when it comes to consistency and unity in achieving goals in the most well-organized and

An adult individual has been chosen to provide an overview and look at the determinants that affect their health. For the purpose of this essay, the individual will be referred to as George. This is to maintain the individual’s confidentiality and anonymity; therefore, a false name has been used. Consent has been gained to base this essay on the individual.

Among the three main approaches to insight therapy (psychoanalysis, client-centered, or group therapy), the one that l believe has the most reasonable way to deal with psychological problems, is client-centered therapy. Client-centered therapy is an insight therapy that emphasizes providing a supportive emotional climate for clients, who play a major role in determining the pace and direction of their therapy (pg. 459). According to Carl Rogers, the man who devised client-centered therapy, three elements were necessary to promote positive changes in therapy: Genuineness (honest communication), Unconditional positive regard (therapist remains supportive, non-judgmental) and Empathy (therapist understands issues from client’s point of view) (pg. 460). In following these three elements, client and therapist were working together equally and helped client become more aware of themselves and even feel more comfortable with their therapist and the idea of therapy. Some people don’t seek help because they feel therapy might be too intimidating for them or it’s a step that they fear having to take. I can agree with this, because from my personal experience, l had pushed off therapy for so long because l was afraid to admit that l needed it.

Another beneficial theme of the book is values and the helping profession. A therapists’ values are part of who they are and it is difficult to ignore them. A complicated issue counselors have is keeping their values from influencing the client and realizing that their task is to help clients identify their beliefs and apply their values to solving problems (Corey et al., 2010). A good point made in this book was for a therapist and client to clarify their values. This way they both have an understanding of each other’s values and could be able to recognize when value imposition is occurring. If value conflicts are occurring during therapy it would be a good idea to refer the client to someone who can better understand where the client is coming from. If referral is the only way, then perhaps the counselor should explore their values and involvement in therapy.