How are the Common Factors Embedded in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy - Research Paper Example

How are the Common Factors Embedded in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy? Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is a form of treatment that allows the patients succumbing or addicted to a particular form of disease or addiction to cope with the compulsion. This kind of therapy is a short –lived one, but researchers and analysts indicate that this type of therapy has been extremely beneficial in making its patients learn the preventive and avoidance measures of dealing with their conditions. Through the learning processes inculcated in the learners, it has been beneficial for the patients to adjust to the dependence of the being without a particular substance. According to the studies conducted in the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, the individuals have managed to survive and maintain their conditions. Of essence, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that allows the patients recognize their addiction problems, or any other dependence, devise means of dealing with the condition, and finally deal with the conditions that will come along with the move to survive with the particular condition. This kind of therapy works by detecting the chances of recurrence of a particular condition and the avoidance approaches. From the various clinical trials, the incorporation of the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been validated in dealing with medical related issues. The model is designed in such a way that it is lithe to allow for inclusion of various groups of patients in the varying settings. The Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), according to Barley & Lambert (2001) has been for great benefit, especially by defining the most appropriate, in terms of dealing with any form of abuse as well as successful treatment. This essay shall endeavor to highlight the common factors embedded in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Without the incorporation of the basics of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in the therapy of patients, it is impossible that the patients will successfully undergo treatment. Cameron & Keenan (1998) define the common factors as the attributes of therapy that are at most times found whilst offering treatments and that they aid in treatment of patients. It is through these common factors that provision of information that relates to the subject is provided in such a way that the quality of therapy is good enough to instill change in the patients. The factors can either be specific or general, both are differentiate on their implications on the kind of therapy is being offered to the patients. Both the types of factors have to be incorporated into the therapy programs since the unique factors have to intertwine with the general factors in one way or another. A case in point is training on the application of the specific ways of dealing with patients cannot be successful if the general view of CBT is alienated. In the course of administering therapy to the individuals, it is of significance that the therapists always aim at achieving consensus between delivery of training skills in the patients and creating a lasting relationship with the caregivers. With the creation of a lasting relationship between the caregivers and the patients undergoing therapy, it is of great importance that the patients must be well advised to accept the skills that are being offered to them by the caregivers, and that they maintain the new status they acquire to avoid recurrence of the predicaments they find themselves in, while undergoing treatment. Proper therapeutic treatments create a situation whereby the previous conditions that the patients were going through are completely curbed and vice versa (Cordell, et al., 1991). With a strong alliance being created among the patients and the caregivers, there is a great likelihood that the patients will be in a better position to govern the issues that they may be entangled around that automatically, slows the progress of such individuals. Implications of common factors may have on our (social work) practice The discovery of common factors has a major implication on the social practice. These implications relate to assessment of the process of the needs of the client of the actions that the patients or clients go through in the course of treatment. According to Lambert (1992), the common factors that are related to social work practice are inclusive of the placebo effects, the relationship existent during the therapy, variables in the patients and the changes in extra- therapy given, and finally the techniques used in offering therapy are of great importance to the individuals under therapy. Therapeutic Relationship In the process of execution on any type of social activity, the medical staff and patients should be in agreement for the whole process to be fruitful. According to research done Beresford, et al. (2008), structuring a lasting social relationship is a vital principle in conducting any form of research. Human are social creatures and not having the ability to read and evaluate their emotions, odds are that a great proportion of them will not have the freedom to open up, as a result, the outcome of the research will certainly be biased or inadequate to make substantive conclusions on the information being collected on the requirements of a certain group of patients. Beresford, et al., (2008) in their research on ‘Social work’ indicate that in the course of carrying any form of research, it is of great importance the researchers embrace the attitude of good relationship between the researchers and the persons under study. This, they refer to as the centrality of good relationship whilst carrying out research has been of extreme importance in the palliative care of patients. With the continuity of such good relationships in the social work, the users of the services offered in the work have indicated that if the social workers work on perfecting the social abilities between them and the beneficiaries of the services, it is possible that the trust will be created between the two parties. This was a response given by a 50 year old patient, who emphasized that though bonding may be existent between the researchers and the persons under study, the entire relationship has to be bonded by strong relationships between the two groups. This indicates that there is a major problem between the researchers and the persons under therapy who claim that a myriad of the researchers have conducted research in such a way that the patients do not believe in being offered services that can allow them to open up. Some claim being requested to fill forms which were in turn filed. This being referred to as a social work process indicates a number of errors, not only on the researchers’ side, but also implicating the ability of the patients to offer useful information to the research. The social worker, according to the research conducted by Beresford, et al., (2008) must act as a friend- an important aspect in gathering any form of data in the course of social work. Social work must be a two way process between the researchers or the caregivers and the users of the services being offered. Beresford, et al., (2008) emphasize the need by the service users to always have a lasting bond with the caregivers. This is only possible if the service providers are willing to be good listeners and avoid being too judgmental prior to carrying out comprehensive research on the case under scrutiny. Listening skills are mandatory, if social workers have to have a successful encounter with the service users (Beresford, et al., 2008). In this context, it is of essence to argue that social work relationships are an important factor in any form of social work practice. Suggestion or future trend on CBT treatment The social workers, in this case, must spend an immense deal of their time building a lasting rapport with the clients during social work, so as the clients can be at ease while offering information that would be beneficial to the social worker. Just like implied in the case studies, a huge percentage of the clients were in dire need for a good rapport with the social workers so that they can offer information that would be valuable to the research being carried out. This is a call to all the social workers to always ensure prior to conducting any form of research, they build a relationship between the two parties. If the clients are comfortable, they are likely to offer more information to the social workers; thus, comprehensive research. The Placebo factor In Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the Placebo factor is an important factor. This, according to Swenson (1998) is the rate of improvements that emanates from the client’s ability to detect an improvement from the therapy imposed on the client, and the credibility of the measures being imposed to induce therapy on the patients. In relation to the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and the Placebo factor, it is evident that the needs of the patients cannot be alienated from this factor. In terms of assessment, the assessor is better placed to devise means in which they are able to reduce the anxiety in the patients, and substitute the same with giving hope to these patients. With this kind of expectation on the patients, the amount of fear the patients may have is reduced massively. Swenson (1998) indicates a decrease in the rates in which the patients’ fear of the worst of their conditions creates an enduring feeling of relief in the patients. According to Sparks, Duncan & Miller (2006), the Placebo factor is of great importance in the case of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This, they emphasize by indicating the patients’ hope of getting better must be manipulated in such a way that it is becomes the key tool of the therapist in easement the conditions of the patients. According to the research conducted by psychologists, the human brain can be manipulated so as to induce the kind of feelings that the patients. In this context, therefore, it is vital that the psychologists manipulate the thoughts of the patients towards achieving quick healing, no matter how adverse the effects may sound. The Placebo factor in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), therefore, deals with manipulating the feelings and perceptions of the patients on their conditions. A therapist who is smart will indeed invoke positive responses from their patients, unlike a therapist who is not willing to manipulate the entire condition towards healing of the patients. In the work by Sparks, Duncan & Miller (2006) on ‘Common factors in Psychotherapy’, in the course of administering help to the patients, it is recommended that the therapists attract the attention of the patients so as they deal with their current situation with ease. Williams, Segal & Teasdale (2002) indicate that when the therapists manage to comfort the patients on the possibility of their healing in the future, the aspect of acceptance of a healing possibility is in itself a therapy to the patients. The next step is to ensure that the patients believe in the kind of services being offered to them by the therapist. With their being confident, it is almost obvious that the patients get optimistic of their regaining health. Expectations of the best on the side of the patients will be of help in determining the kind of help will of help to whichever patients. A form of therapy that is directed towards attaining the goals and objectives of the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) programs is undoubtedly functional. The Placebo factor plays a great role in administration of therapy in the case of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Implications on social work Since social work is aimed at detecting the changes that have taken place in the clients after the therapy, the Placebo factor must be applied in the case of the clients at all times. The social workers must be involved in constantly scrutinizing the progress of their clients and write a comprehensive report on their findings on their clients, so as to detect if the therapy has been of use, and what needs to be done to make improvements on the same. Techniques tool, a common factor in CBT According to the thoughts of Thorne (1992), the manner in which the researchers approach the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) determines if the clients will either respond positively or negatively to the treatment. The term techniques in relation to CBT, refers to the ability of the therapist s to have a clear understanding of the factors underlying the need for proper treatment of the patients. This relates to the aspect of the therapists developing empathetic relationship, that allow for consistency in the course of administering therapy to the patients. This can be referred to as the humanistic approach that sees both the patients and therapists accepting their place during therapy. Additionally, in the course of administering help to the patients, the therapists must be well conversant with the roles they play in the course of administration of help to the patients. A high level of expertise can indeed not be alienated from a successful healing process. If the therapists display a high level of expertise to the patients, then effective therapy can be offered to the patients. Expertise and professionalism in the course of administering Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) relates to the ability of the therapists to portray useful advice to the patients, expertise and immediate responses to the patients’ worries. A safe and conducive environment for offering treatment by the patients is indeed of great benefit if the patients have to quickly respond to their ailments. In the study conducted by Cameron & Keenan (1998), skills are mandatory in an understanding of social work. All practitioners conducting to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) must devise a basis in which they operate their systems. Social work cannot be successful without an incorporation of techniques that found an operational basis for CBT Cameron & Keenan (1998), indicate that the techniques in the practice of social work are useful in enactment of useful techniques in therapy. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the social workers to always ensure that they select the best approaches towards coming up with the best measure to dealing with the issues at hand (Payne, 1997). For instance, the social workers must select the best technique that allows for administration of therapy to their patients or clients. These techniques are the basics in which the social workers devise the best strategies to deal with the therapy issue; it becomes easier to employ change in the course of administering therapy. Techniques tool, as a common factor, can be categorized as one of the most important basics, in making therapy successful. Techniques and implications on social work Social workers must endeavor to come up with an empathetic relationship whilst dealing with their clients. This according to Thorne (1992) implies understanding of what the clients need and being able to give them positive remarks on their progress whilst under treatment. The change in the clients must be genuinely be given so as they can be well advised on their progress on an honorable and credible manner. Client variables and Extra-therapeutic Change factor On another angle, the client variables and Extra-therapeutic Change factor has a major impact on the social work practice. This aspect, indeed, has an important role to play in the assessment of the needs of the clients during the intervention process. Horvath & Greenberg (1989) indicate that the therapists must be keen to check the various kinds of perceptions that the patients have in relation to the help being offered to them. Some of the patients bear the perception that the care is not good enough for their healing, others feel well incorporated in the therapy and are able to deal with the kinds of instructions being offered on them to alleviate the situation. Clients’ viabilities result from the kind of atmospheres being offered by the therapies. For instance, when the therapists provide an atmosphere, in such a manner that the clients are able to communicate on what they feel; the number of variances will automatically reduce, since the patients feel free and respond positively to the therapy being offered. Other patients display varying responses on the therapy being offered by the therapists, in that they do not make it easier for the clients to justify their expertise, but majority of them end up proving their inability to be of help to the patients. This is linked to the obviousness of the great percentage of the social workers who fail in their duties as they do not allow themselves to work together with the clients so as to understand the weightiness of the situation, after that devise the most appropriate methodology of administering care. The social workers must always be willing and prepared to carry out detailed research on the needs of their patients prior to making any forms of conclusions on the kinds of therapies is most appropriate (Wampold, 2001).This is only achievable if the therapists are in constant communication with the patients and giving them the chance to air their opinions on what is suitable to them. It is evident that, not all clients have the same points of view on therapeutic approaches. In this case, Busseri & Tyler (2003) indicate that it is important that the clients and the social workers design the goals aimed at being attained and the tasks that will allow both parties to be at ease to communicate what they feel is the best on their side. In the case study conducted by Ribner & Nei-paz (2002), change can only be witnessed if there is a lasting bond between the clients and the therapists. Change can only be effected if the therapists be sensible to the needs by the clients. The feedback given to the clients must always be positive and that the clients always be keen to follow up the steps by the clients. All forms of developments by the clients must be indicated to monitor the growth and developments of the clients. Minimal disagreements must be indicated on the therapists’ side for the good of the clients. The kind of therapy must also be geared toward making the clients comfortable; thus, effective assessment programs. The policies of engagement of the patients in the social work cannot be alienated from a successful therapy administration, for therapy to be triumphant (Horvath & Greenberg, 1989). Since the clients are the main recipients of the kind of therapy being offered in care provision, concern and reverence must be appropriately espoused by the therapists. It is of epitome that gender be discussed prior to management of therapy to the patients. With background information on the patients, the therapists are able to deal with any of the signs that may seem exceptional to the therapy. In social work, the precedents cannot be alienated from the current occurrences; therefore, it is imperative that the social workers gather all the necessary information that pertains to the wellbeing of the patients. Change in extra-therapy is a factor that marks the extent to which the expectations of the clients have been met. What the patients expect during therapy determine the kind of change that will be experienced during therapy. In this case, therefore, the therapists must be keen to set clear goals and aims that must be met at all times. Busseri & Tyler (2003) indicate that the prospect of the patients in psychotherapy have been of utility in administering treatment to the patients. This means that teamwork must be present in the therapy, even in the case of varying cultural affiliations. The alliance between the therapists and the clients must be mutual, with the therapists playing the role of being constantly in check with the status of the client and direct them towards a successful therapy. In as much the extent to which the patients’ conditions may seem miserable, the therapists must always minimize the aggravation on the patients’ side, and all the factors that may lead to cropping up of some issues in terms of their health wellbeing. Implications of client variables and Extra-therapeutic Change factor on social work With the clients taking part in social work, it is evident that they are of varying personalities and require specialized treatments if the therapy has to be effective. It is the role of the social workers to go an extra mile to deal with the varying personalities by assessing the clients prior to carrying out any form of therapy. This can be done by familiarizing the clients to the kind of research being conducted on them, and the importance of being open while giving response. Future works that are concerned with social work must always be geared towards making the clients more directed to giving responses that would be useful in the research. Conclusively, this study shed light on the common factors that are existent in the making the Cognitive Therapeutic Therapy (CBT) successful. The study focused mostly on the attributes of the clients and what the therapists must do so as to deal with the clients. It is evident that the process of change in the clients is only possible if the therapists are active in the instilling change through a study of the patients’ demands. These techniques that have put under scrutiny are inclusive of the placebo effect that gives the clients the hope of getting better, despite how rough the situation may seem to be. Despite the extent of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the therapists must always ensure that the entire process is sensible and beneficial to the clients under assessment. References Barley, D. & Lambert, M. (2001). Research Summary on the therapeutic relationship and psychotherapy outcome. Psychotherapy, 2001; Vol.38, 4, 357-361. Beresford, et al. (2008). We Don’t See Her as a Social Worker: A Service User Case Study of the Importance of the Social Worker's Relationship and Humanity. 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(2002). Clients’ View of a Successful Helping Relationship. Social Work, 2000; Vol.47, No.4, October, 379-387.  Sparks, J. A., Duncan, B. L. & Miller, S. D. (2006). Integrating psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy: Myths and the missing link. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 2006; 17 (3/4). Swenson, C. (1998). Clinical Social Work's Contribution to a Social Justice Perspective. Social Work, 1998; Vol.43, No.6, pp.527 - 536.  Thorne, B. (1992). Carl Rogers. London: SAGE. Wampold, B. (2001). The great psychotherapy debate: Models, methods, and findings. New Jersey: Erlbaum. Williams, J., Segal, V., & Teasdale, D. (2002). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression: A new approach to preventing relapse. New York: Guilford. Read More