Comparative Analysis of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Person-Centered Therapy - Research Paper Example

? A Comparative Analysis of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Person-Centered Therapy of Introduction Patients normally seek counseling because they are experiencing a certain level of stress or trauma related to conflict or disorder. They may be trapped in adverse emotions, thought processes, behaviors, and value judgment. Dealing with the incongruity between existing problems and objectives will furnish the client with solid strength to progress from their current conditions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy seeks to reconcile thought and behavioral incongruities whereas the person-centered approach tries to reconcile the incongruity between the ‘ideal’ and the ‘actual’ self (Kalat, 2010). Each of these two approaches focuses on and deals with different features of client dialogue. As a consequence, they follow different techniques of resolving problems. Nevertheless, both have the objective of helping the client, reconciling discrepancies, and mitigating conflict. This essay compares and contrasts the major tenets, concepts, techniques, views of pathology/normality of cognitive-behavioral therapy and person-centered therapy. It also discusses the usefulness of both therapies to advanced nursing practice. Comparing and Contrasting Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Person-Centered Therapy Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is a framework of human difficulties and challenges that can be approached from primarily two interconnected domains: philosophical and theoretical. Within the philosophical perspective, CBT can be regarded as being related to some forms of behaviorism. The behaviorist models are commonly philosophies of mind and science, specifically, methods of identifying and dealing with the interpretation of the problems or difficulties usually related to psychology (Sharf, 2011). On the other hand, the theoretical feature of behavior therapy is more about actual identifications of particular problems. Theories can give reliable explanations or at least verifiable assumptions for issues about more exact problems (Sharf, 2011): How does this problem arise? What are the fundamental features of this form of medical disorder? What are the possible techniques for problem modification? Basically, CBT is a type of psychotherapy that has been shown to be one of the best methods for treating a broad array of disorders such as anxiety and depression. CBT targets thought and behavioral processes that reinforce both normal and abnormal behavior. It rests on the idea that these processes are learned, and, therefore, can be unlearned. CBT is described as collaborative, participative, and brief (Corey, 2009). Even though therapists take into account how disorders may have emerged, their main interest is in helping the patient pinpoint, understand, and modify what is reinforcing the problem. The therapist-patient relationship is characterized by partnership or collaborating, and patients are motivated to actively participate in the application of techniques during therapy sessions. There are four major techniques employed in CBT: skills training, exposure therapy, behavioral activation, and cognitive restructuring (Norcross, 2002). Skills training assume that some individuals keep away from particular situations because they believe they do not have the necessary skills to handle them. For that reason, CBT normally involves acquiring new behavioral abilities to handle difficult social circumstances and anxiety. Through exposure therapy, CBT helps individuals conquer anxiety by systematically confronting their fears. This technique rests on the assumption that anxiety is reinforced by avoidance (Sharf, 2011). On the other hand, depression usually results in indifference, avoidance, and withdrawal. Through behavioral activation, or the process of enhancing rewards, CBT helps individuals recognize and take part in activities or tasks that give them the opportunity to gain rewards or gratifying experiences (Norcross, 2002). Lastly, according to Corsini and Wedding (2010), cognitive restructuring, or the method of facilitating more precise and positive thought processes, is quite effective in treating anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders. On the other hand, person-centered therapy (PCT) is rooted in a principle of human nature that assumes an instinctive struggle toward self-actualization. Moreover, Carl Rogers believes that human nature is phenomenological, which implies that individuals compose or identify themselves based on their views of reality (Corsini & Wedding, 2010). PCT is based on the idea that patients can identify and understand the forces in their lives that are making them depressed or unhappy. Moreover, they have the capability for self-management, self-reliance, and positive personal transformation. Change will take place if an appropriate therapist initiates psychological interaction with a patient experiencing anxiety and conflict. It is important for the therapist to build a relationship the patient sees as truthful, sincere, understanding, and appreciative (Frew & Spiegler, 2012). Therapeutic counseling is rooted in a person-to-person relationship. PCT highlights this personal relationship between therapist and patient; the behavior of the therapist is more important that are methods, theory, or principles used (Frew & Spiegler, 2012). Within the domain of this relationship, patients develop their potentials and strengths. In the therapeutic framework of PCT, patients have the chance to make a choice for themselves and understand their own capabilities. The core idea is that nobody knows the patient better than the patient him/herself; basically, the patient is considered the master of his/her own fate. The common objectives of therapy are becoming increasingly experience-oriented, focused on developing self-reliance and self-worth, and being eager to develop and grow continuously (Fitzpatrick & Tusaie, 2012). Specific objectives are not dictated to patients; instead, patient determines their own ideals and objectives. Current uses of PCT focus more on the dynamic involvement of the therapists. Therapists are currently persuaded to be completely engaged as individuals in the therapeutic endeavor. Therapists have more leeway nowadays to articulate their sentiments and opinions as long as they are relevant to the therapy (Fitzpatrick & Tusaie, 2012). It is the responsibility of the therapist to adjust to the circumstances that works most effectively with each of their patient, which implies being flexible in the adoption of techniques in the process of counseling. It is already evident from the brief overview of cognitive-behavioral therapy and person-centered therapy that the two approaches are very different from each other. But there are several similarities as well. First, both CBT and PCT believe that patients can modify their behavior and thinking, even if they have a severe disorder. Second, both promote the scientific and empirical investigation of psychotherapy (Corey, 2009). Third, both are eager to exhibit psychotherapy openly. Fourth, both have the enthusiasm to strive toward resolution of client problems, especially through valuable research and expert therapy. And lastly, both believe that patients can transform unfavorable self-perception into favorable ones (Kalat, 2010). However, the differences between CBT and PCT are more evident. First, CBT is focused on disrupting a patient’s non-cognitive functioning to identify illogical and habitual cognitions that influence emotions. PCT, on the other hand, interact with patients on a non-cognitive manner, and they value and recognize patients’ emotions. Second, PCT gives the patient the opportunity to decide for themselves; on the contrary, CBT gives patients training (Kalat, 2010). Third, PCT recognizes patients’ thought processes and perceptions, while CBT questions patients’ thoughts. Fourth, PCT gives the patient the opportunity to choose the course of therapy, while CBT dictates the path of therapy. And lastly, PCT gives primary importance to the relationship between therapist and patient; in contrast, CBT assumes that a focus on therapeutic relationship is neither crucial nor adequate in facilitating positive change (Corey, 2009). Nurses, especially those working in psychiatry, have discovered that CBTs go well together with the norms of advanced nursing practice, and are specifically successful in difficult care settings. CBTs provide techniques that can be used within the therapeutic relationship of nurses and patients and the biological, psychological, and social nursing practices. Clients going through cognitive-based psychiatric therapy are often handled by an interdisciplinary group that advocates this technique (Sharf, 2011). Nurses in advanced practice can employ CBT methods in several ways for an array of clinical conditions, especially disorders that are related to stress like irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pain, and others (Corsini & Wedding, 2010). The methods shed light on the interrelated nature of psychological, emotional, and physical aspects and demonstrate how each aspect reinforces, and sustains, the clinical disorders. In addition, CBT assists nurses in deciding what forms of psychological and emotional interventions would be most effective for clients and how those interventions could be administered. Advanced nursing practice aims to deliver integrated care to clients with clinical disorders, which involves dealing with their emotional and psychological requirements (Frew & Spiegler, 2012). How the clients view their clinical conditions, as well as their emotional responses to these difficulties can affect the results of treatment. For this reason, nurses have to fully understand that the psychological and emotional needs of clients are major aspects that can influence clients’ health outcomes. CBT methods can also enlighten the delivery of suitable treatment, as well as the reduction of unfavorable, harmful thinking processes and the creation of unconventional, less invasive approaches. In the same way, harmony between the concept of person-centered therapy and profession of nursing is apparent on several aspects: both are transformed into actual practice through relationships that are formed through productive interpersonal mechanisms; both believe practice is grounded on therapeutic objective; both have a moral element; in theory, they espouse the principles of humanistic treatment; and both espouse the principles of existentialism (Fitzpatrick & Tusaie, 2012). Moreover, the nursing literature is unswerving in the assumption that PCT necessitates the development of therapeutic relationships between clients, therapists, and other involved individuals and that these relationships are founded on a common understanding and shared trust. Person-centered therapy and caring are essential models for advanced nursing practice, and while research supporting each diverges in emphasis, there is a great level of harmony between both models. The beginnings of PCT prove this harmony and it has been reported that the features of caring are embedded in the principles of PCT (Fitzpatrick & Tusaie, 2012). The connection between the concept of caring and person-centered theory demonstrates the importance of knowledgeable and experienced nurses, who have the capacity to handle a large number of attitudinal and contextual aspects that are present in care settings, to take part in practices that keep the individual at the heart of caring relationships (Sharf, 2011). The relationship built between clients and nurses demonstrates the capability of PCT and the possibility of providing important outcomes. Conclusions Both cognitive-behavioral therapy and person-centered therapy, even though strikingly different, have evolved into refined and developed approaches, that have become the preferred treatment for a wide array of mental disorders. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of psychiatric treatments or intervention is strongly associated with knowledge of why and how specific features of a medical disorder should become the emphasis of treatment procedures, and with the adaptive application of methods to specific medical disorders. Because harmful outcomes can damage the therapeutic relationship, adequate regulation and management should be carried out to guarantee a favorable therapeutic result. Nurses are in the best position to apply cognitive-behavioral therapy and person-centered therapy in their efforts to help patients cope with their clinical conditions. References Corey, G. (2009). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning. Corsini, R. & Wedding, D. (2010). Current Psychotherapies. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning. Fitzpatrick, J. & Tusaie, K. (2012). Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nursing: Integrating Psychotherapy, Psychopharmacology, and Complementary and Alternative Approaches. New York: Springer Publishing Company. Frew, J. & Spiegler, M. (2012). Contemporary Psychotherapies for a Diverse World: First Revised Edition. London: Routledge. Kalat, J. (2010). Introduction to Psychology. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning. Norcross, J. (2002). Psychotherapy Relationships that Work: Therapist Contributions and Responsiveness to Patients: Therapist Contributions and Responsiveness to Patients. New York: Oxford University Press. Sharf, R. (2011). Theories of Psychotherapy & Counseling: Concepts and Cases. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning. Read More