Everybody has their own opinion of why people encounter personal problems, shaping their belief of what makes therapy helpful. My theory posits that a combination of individual and systemic factors produces personal problems. Therefore, to effectively address the multiple sources of a problem, my theory of helping involves both behavioral and cognitive techniques. Although every theory has limitations, helping professionals nevertheless develop their preferred approach over time. Since theory is foundation to clinical social work, it is imperative for me to consider and further develop my knowledge of theory. Individuals experience suffering for various reasons. My theory assumes that a combination of individual and systemic factors causes …show more content…
The main character, Ellen, suffers from anorexia which originated from a combination of individual and systemic factors. For example, Ellen had internalized negative sexual experiences, a dynamic individual factor contributing to her anorexia. Two systemic factors affecting Ellen are her toxic family environment and the negative influence of society through magazines and social media. Along with other external and internal factors, these were the sources of Ellen’s anorexia. In the movie, Ellen lived in a group home that used both behavioral and cognitive treatment methods. Behaviorally, the group home practiced operant conditioning, using a reward system to encourage the residents to maintain weight and develop healthy lifestyles. Cognitively, Ellen participated in therapy with a few individuals who encouraged her to find new perspectives and restructure her cognitive distortions of beauty. The residents also participated in group therapy, discussing struggles, victories, goals, and maladaptive thoughts. Throughout the movie, when therapeutic relationships were not present, helping attempts were significantly less successful. This movie illustrates the effectiveness of my theory of understanding problems and creating …show more content…
When I realized the multiple sources of my own problems and considered the many causes of others’ problems, I cultivated a belief in the multi-perspective model. The importance of a therapeutic relationship became evident during my own counselling experience. I did not sense this relationship with my counsellor, and therefore, our sessions were ineffective. Additionally, I find logic in cognitive and behavioral approaches. It is essential to change behaviorally; however, if one does not also address underlying cognitive distortions, change is incomplete. Observing and experiencing the power of both cognitive and behavioral treatments helped me to form this theory of
Individual personal theory of counseling is very important for the successes of any therapeutic process that affects how I council. Personal perspective, how the world works, belief system, the way things interact, and how they actually are form the basis of working of all individuals in life. In order to have the best decision with respect to any therapeutic process, I
The roots of the Cognitive-Behavioral Theory lie in the broadening of behavior therapy and has undoubtedly produced more empirical research than any other model of psychotherapy (Datillio, 2000a). Cognitive-Behavior theory is a theory based on the idea that a person’s perspective is what guides the development and the preservation of their emotional and behavioral responses to situations within their lives as well as a plethora of studies that tested learning theories. The Cognitive-Behavior therapy also called CBT, relies on the belief that the person’s perspective also stunts or expedites the emotional and behavioral adaptation to situations as well. This “belief” means that what you or I think governs how we respond to what goes
As a counseling student, it is very important to formulate a counseling theory tailored to ones’ own personality and beliefs. A counselor may choose a single theory to model when practicing therapy or pick and choose components and techniques from various theories, otherwise known as eclecticism. No theory is considered right or wrong. Understanding the different therapeutic approaches are important to effective counseling, however, counselors must also understand their own personal value, view of human nature, human behavior, counseling techniques and the purpose and goals of counseling. Understanding these components along with the different theoretical approaches will provide the counselor with a 9 knowledge of their own counseling, orientation and is essential to not only the productivity of counseling but the growth of the counselor as well.
Both authors express many overlapping elements of revealed truth in regard to the process of counseling and the problems that are derived in the life of clients and people suffering from disorders and psychologically unhealthy mindsets. Hawkins utilizes a theory of 5 concentric circles defining the human psyche and physiology. Hawkins goes on to relay his theory of counseling that utilizes 4 phases in which the counselor and the client work through the issues that hinder the client and formulate a plan of action in which the client is assisted in overcoming issues and able to become accountable and productive within the community. Crabb’s (1977) theory of
Underlying Assumptions: Uses problem focused cognitive and behavioral strategies, which are typically guided by science that ultimately are derived from theories of learning and cognition. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been shown to
Today many people seek professional therapy or counseling for a limited amount of time in order to deal with different life crises. Others seek professional help for the majority of their lives in order to deal with a psychological disorder. After reading this chapter on Therapy, I learned that this was not always the case, and that the way our society views therapy, and the meaning of therapy, has changed dramatically of the years. This chapter not only explains the evolution of therapy, it explores the different therapeutic approaches.
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
Within psychology there are many different theories that counselors should get to know in order to figure out which theory fits their own personal style of counseling. Some counselors stick to one specific theory, but many take on an integrative approach and use multiple theories within their practice. The four psychological theories that I am focusing on in this paper are the contemporary psychodynamic, theory, cognitive behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, and the family systems theory.
The philosophy of cognitive behavioral therapy is that “think and feeling are connected people are creative (Halbur & Halbur, 2015, p.47)”. The key aspects of theory are to challenge the irrational beliefs that we hold about ourselves. Aaron Beck the primary founder of cognitive behavior theory assumed that people can control how they feel and what they think. He believed that our inner thoughts and beliefs affected how we are affected on the outside. One of the key concepts is that the client’s dysfunctional thinking can be derived from an erroneous internal process or bias.
This application paper will discuss my personal theory of counseling or psychotherapy in a number of different areas. Specifically, I will discuss the seven areas of interest. First, I will discuss and describe
Initially, I favored leaning toward Behavioral and Reality Theories (BRT) because they involved a structured process of obtaining client information and client involvement for a therapeutic change in behavior. Furthermore, the benefits of Behavioral and Reality therapy for beginning counselors are establishing a relationship that includes a healthy dialogue that involves the client becoming personally involved in creating a road map for their treatment plan. BRT requires counselors to develop a therapeutic client relationship but it is not critical but acceptable to influence change due to the nature of the theory to cause change. The philosophical bases of BRT is to use instill change
Cognitive Theory claims that behavior can be changed through changing faulty thinking, irrational thoughts, automatic thoughts, or learned cognitive misconceptions. When a client has negative images of themselves or their accomplishments, it sets the pace for their behavior, perceptions and expectations; when that thinking is exposed as faulty to the client, the client can then begin to change their behavior based upon restructured, truer images of reality. It has been shown to be effective therapy for individual, group, marital and family treatment, in treating depression, addiction, anxiety, PTSD, personality disorders, and some organic conditions such as schizophrenia, and in many social work settings, such as child welfare, private practice, mental health, crisis intervention, and health care.
This paper will look at one of life’s big questions ‘why do we suffer?’, in particular this paper will look at this question through, Religion, comparing Christianity and Buddhism, Philosophy, Psychology and finally Science.
The purpose of this paper was to conceptualize a theory based upon existing ideas to create something unique. My theoretical view is based around the foundation and work of three theorist; Fromm, Rogers, and Maslow. Each individual presented a unique aspect, idea, or theory that was instrumental to the construction of my own. It does not have a working title but I can tell you that it most definitely has a purpose and a set of ideals that I believe will and can improve the lives of many. My theory is based upon three distinct principles and many minor tidbits. The first is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs this is a description of needs that motivate behavior, second is Fromm’s theory on the art of loving, third Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. Each theorist background played an important part in the conception of their theory so each will be discussed. My theory is not a cure but I believe if a person can follow the core beliefs one can achieve happiness. I also draw concepts from Jimmy Valvano who was not a psychiatrist but a college basketball coach who inspired me as well. Muhammad Ali is another figure that I’ve drawn inspiration from in forming my theory. My approach is one of an eclectic nature meaning that is a therapeutic approach that incorporates a variety of therapeutic principles and philosophies in order to create the ideal treatment program to meet the specific needs of the patient or client. The actual approach that I would use in therapy is closely
Although this theory may be somewhat similar to cognitive behavioral therapy there are still many differences between the two making this theory