The Individual as an Agent of Emotional, Psychological, and Behavioral Change - Research Paper Example

?Running Head: Counseling Theories Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Existential Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy: The Individual as an Agent of Emotional, Psychological, and Behavioral Change Name Course Title Name of Professor Date of Submission Abstract Counselors can begin to adopt a counseling approach adapted to their individual characteristics by gaining comprehensive understanding of the foremost therapeutic theories and practice. Every therapeutic model has helpful features. It is unreasonable to believe that a particular theory or model is ‘correct’ or ‘incorrect,’ for every theory provides a distinctive idea of human behavior and has distinctive contributions to the profession of counseling. This essay provides a comprehensive review of literature on three major counseling models, namely, cognitive behavioral therapy, existential therapy, and person-centered therapy. This essay also includes a brief discussion of the similarities and differences between these three counseling approaches. Introduction Essentially, a theory implies amassing and organizing information or findings about a certain occurrence, pattern, or entity. In the field of psychology, theories are applied to create assumptions about human behavior, emotions, and cognition. Nearly all individuals, as social beings, create their subjective interpretations of human behavior. These subjective assumptions largely influence an individual’s observations and assessments of other people. However, a theory has to precisely define, illustrate, and predict a broad array of client and therapist behaviors (Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 2012). In addition, a satisfactory theory should decisively illustrate or clarify what brings abut client crises and provide exact techniques for how to resolve and eliminate such crises. Thus, one of the major purposes of theory is to offer therapists with a definite framework or basis from which they carry out their expert services. This essay presents a literature review of three counseling theories, namely, cognitive behavioral therapy, existential therapy, and person-centered therapy. Literature Review This section presents a review and analysis of empirical findings about cognitive behavioral therapy, existential therapy, and person-centered therapy in counseling. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) claims that counselors can initiate change in the behavior of clients and that will be supported by changes in the emotion and thoughts of clients (Ronen & Freeman, 2007). Furthermore, counselors can modify state of mind, and changes in behavior can usually be predicted to arise. A lot of feminist-leaning counselors employ this model to make women more straightforward or articulate and realize their personal goals (Ronen & Freeman, 2007). It is usually necessary to help clients of career counseling express themselves more proactively or constructively at work or carry out more effective job interviews, and that a lot of general practitioners may pass on clients to a cognitive-behavioral counselor to gain life management skills and knowledge through stress management or assertiveness exercise. As stated by Meichenbaum (2003 as cited in Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 2012, 270): CBT was never intended to become a school, nor a fad. It does not advocate a specific treatment approach, nor orientation. CBT is a critically-minded, empirically based treatment approach. CBT corresponds to a single group of psychological models derived from scientific theories of emotion, cognition, and human behavior. It involves a broad array of treatment methods that consider the existing knowledge about the underlying causes and treatment of the various mental problems (Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 2012). Clients and counselors work together to determine and understand difficulties as regards to the connection between behavior, emotions, and thoughts. According to Patterson and Welfel (2000), personalized, generally time-restricted therapy objectives are developed. CBT is designed to encourage positive behavioral responses, re-examine thoughts, weaken anxiety or distress, and mitigate symptoms. The counselor helps the client deal with difficulties by using his/her personal resources. Some practical and mental capabilities are gained, such as thinking about and reassessing the value given to a situation with later changes in behavior, and the counselor vigorously initiates change with a focus on practicing what has been gained between sessions. The client learns to value and recognize his/her own struggles and attempts toward self-improvement (Ronen & Freeman, 2007). A confident, unquestioning, and safe patient-counselor relationship is seen as an important component, but not as the primary medium of change. According to Hayes and colleagues (2004), new cognitive behavioral therapies have been created in recent times (as cited in Ronen & Freeman, 2007, 105): The new behavior therapies carry forward the behavior therapy tradition, but they (1) abandon a sole commitment to first-order change, (2) adopt more contextualistic assumptions, (3) adopt more experiential and indirect change strategies in addition to direct strategies, and (4) considerably broaden the focus of change. Young (1994), for instance, confronted with the dilemmas of clients with personality disorders, created schema-focused therapy (as cited in Hayes, Follette, & Linehan, 2011, 6). In the schema-focused theory, developmental aspects of the psychopathology of clients are highlighted, and in the actual schema-focused therapy, interpersonal and experiential practices are incorporated (Hayes et al., 2011). A review of literature on cognitive behavioral therapy in counseling reveals that there is proof from a number of meta-analyses and randomized controlled experiments that CBT is successful in the treatment of several psychological problems, such as, major depressive disorder (Roth & Fonagy ,2005), panic disorder (Deacon & Abramowitz, 2004), social phobia (Roth & Fonagy, 2005), obsessive-compulsive disorder (Eddy et al., 2004), posttraumatic stress disorder (Nathan & Gorman, 2002), and schizophrenia (Jones et al., 2004). In addition, there is proof that cognitive-behavioral therapy alongside anti-psychotic pharmacotherapy radically weakens schizophrenia’s positive symptoms (Ronen & Freeman, 2007). According to Sommers-Flanagan and Sommers-Flanagan (2012), latest neuroimaging studies have shown neural modifications in anxiety and depressive disorders after interpersonal and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Existential Therapy The existential theory questions the deterministic theory of human nature and focuses on the free will that individuals have. One of the major objectives of existential therapy is to help patients understand their true selves or identities and make purposeful decisions appropriate to the true self and its needs and demands, instead of allowing other circumstances or individuals to influence their actions (Patterson & Welfel, 2000). An individual’s true self has genuine emotions. When an individual is capable of seeing him/herself with his/her own emotions, s/he is also capable of seeing his/her ability to improve. Some researchers, such as Moustakas (1994 as cited in Fernando, 2007, 227), found out that when individuals are led and preoccupied by the opinions of other and influenced by external circumstances, they feel ‘fallen’. In a ‘state of fallenness’, an individual adopts the beliefs and values of other people and sacrifices his/her individuality (Fernando, 2007, 227). Existential therapy then tries to help individuals make decisions for themselves, while bearing in mind their obligation and part in the community and the family. MacDonald (1991 as cited in Fernando, 2007, 227) has argued that the refusal of several counselors to relate to a particular theory could be the outcome of their idea that a particular theory cannot be applicable a wide variety of patients. Moreover, Harris (1991 as cited in Fernando, 2007, 227-228) has found out that several counselors may believe that existing theories are not relevant or appropriate to all situations. However, Bauman and Waldo (1998 as cited in Fernando, 2007, 228) have claimed that existential theory resolves these issues. They argued that existentialism is completely relevant to the practice of mental health counseling, provides irrefutable justifications of the value of such mental health counseling perspectives, and presents a theoretical basis which guides mental health counseling treatments. Recently, professional counselors have recognized concise, immediate treatments that have received a great deal of attention because of their affordability and cost-effectiveness. An example is solution-focused therapy (SFT). SFT helps the patient envision a different future (Fernando, 2007, 228). According to Bezanson (2004), this model “does not attempt to eliminate problems but rather attempts to develop new meanings or new ways of looking at problems so that the process of solution building can begin” (as cited in Fernando, 2007, 229). Hence, basically, existential therapy targets basic anxiety that arises from every individual’s achievements, activities, and struggles, whether unconscious or conscious, to cope with the complicated realities of life that are based on the individual’s existence. Taking into account one’s personal capacity to decide can provoke existential anxiety, for individuals are ignorant of the outcomes of that decision (Sue & Sue, 2007). ‘Existential anxiety’, according to Fernando (2007), is a severe state of panic, worry, and uneasiness that stem from individuals’ understanding of futility, free will, isolation or loneliness, and death. The counselor is the facilitator of self-contemplation in the pursuit for a more stable and stronger life. The counselor does not challenge the patient with the concerns of meaning, pain, death, and love, but incorporates them in the core of every concern that is raised in session and takes advantage of the session to reflect on such more intense and more profound issues. The task of the counselor is to direct the patient’s problem into positive, fruitful directions instead of eliminating the problem. As stated by Vontress, the existential counselor is a “companion in reviewing one’s life in its totality, not merely one’s pattern of thoughts, feelings, or unconscious conflict” (as cited in Sue & Sue, 2007, 147). In a similar manner, Yalom (1980 as cited in Sue & Sue, 2007, 148) argued that the existential counselor is a partner who aids patients in exploring and understanding the true nature of the meanings. Therefore, the objective of existential therapy is not to release patients from distress or anxiety, but instead to assist them in coping, tolerating, and accepting anxiety. Patients have to embark on the process of recognizing and understanding the ways in which they have passively allowed circumstances and surrender control. From then on they are capable of willfully and knowingly begin to shape and control their own lives. Person-Centered Therapy For more than five decades, person-centered therapy, or previously known as ‘client-centered therapy’, governed the counseling field of the United States, especially in educational institutions. There was always some kind of fascination to Carl Roger’s explanation of the inadequacies of traditionally educated counselors. From the start, Rogers derived his model from the belief that patients themselves should be allowed to identify their problem and create their own expectations of the counseling endeavor (Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 2012). Due to this, the person-centered approach is highly non-interventional because counselors do not attempt to explain, interpret, require or guide patients into a certain path or trend. The person-centered model involves the practice of three separate mindsets: (1) congruence, (2) unconditional positive regard, and (3) empathic understanding (Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 2012, 186). This approach turns away from technique because it is not that focused on diagnosis and consequent treatments. The actions of the counselor are oriented largely by a principle of personal thoughts, and by dealing with such therapeutic thoughts in connection to a patient. According to Corey (2012), such sincere attitudes should in some way be appreciated by and eventually have a helpful impact on the patient. They could be explained as (1) congruence as a form of sincerity that is more felt or seen than justified; (2) unconditional positive regard is a condition in which patients’ emotions, behavior, and the individuals themselves, are supportively and constructively appreciated as they are; and (3) empathic understanding is a basically personal knowledge or experience communicated by counselors to, and perceived by, their patients (p. 52). However, even though person-centered therapy has improved substantially the practice of counseling, Corey (2012) believes that there are several weaknesses of using only this model. A lot of people looking for help have a tendency to demand more system or process than is given by this model. Several patients look for expert assistance in solving a problem, mitigating psychosomatic syndromes, or gaining abilities for coping with daily difficulties. When they look for expert assistance, it could be as an only remaining option after all other alternatives have been unsuccessful. Hence, Whiston and Sexton (1998 as cited in Patterson & Welfel, 2000, 14) argued that further methodical studies are required in the field of person-centered therapy. Discussions and Conclusion All the three counseling theories discussed have their own strengths and weaknesses. But this essay is not going to delve much on this area, but instead focus on the similarities and differences between cognitive-behavioral therapy, existential therapy, and person-centered therapy. These three theories share several similarities, namely, (1) they try to alleviate patients’ emotional, psychological, and behavioral problems; (2) they believe that the patients’ involvement in the counseling are crucial to the treatment process; (3) they claim that individuals have the right to control and shape their own lives; and (4) they view individuals as conscious decision-makers. On the other hand, the differences between these three theories are as follows: (1) cognitive behavioral therapy puts emphasis on the ‘now’ rather than putting emphasis on the root of the problem; person-centered therapy focuses on the causes of the problem by identifying an individual’s natural tendency; existential therapy aims to understand a patient’s problem by self-reflection; (2) CBT is rooted in the idea that people gain disruptive thoughts and actions over time; person-centered theory claims that conflicting situations, disorder, and doubtfulness create problem for an individual; existential theory believes that psychological disorder arises when a person deceives or not true to her/himself; and (3) CBT is a practical therapy; person-centered therapy is a personalized therapy; existential therapy is reflective or empathic therapy. In summary, this essay has presented a comprehensive literature review of the three counseling theories. Cognitive-behavioral therapy entails changing patients’ cognition (how they think), emotion (how they feel), and behavior (how they respond to circumstances or thoughts). Existential therapy, on the other hand, is focused on building an individual’s true self or identity and creating positive, helpful relationships with other people. And lastly, in person-centered therapy, the counselor builds the growth-conducive environment and the patient is then open or free and capable of exploring and improving as s/he needs and wants to. Dominant features of person-centered counseling are sincerity, acceptance or appreciation, empathy, and involved, focused listening. References Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning. Deacon, B.J. & Abramowitz, J.S. (2004). “Cognitive and behavioral treatments for anxiety disorders: a review of meta-analytic findings.” Journal of Clinical Psychology, 60, 429-441. Eddy, K.T. et al. (2004). “A multidimensional meta-analysis of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder.” Clinical Psychology Review, 24, 1011-1030. Fernando, D. (2007). “Existential theory and solution-focused strategies: Integration and application.” Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 29(3), 226-241. Hayes, S., Follette, V., & Linehan, M. (2011). Mindfulness and Acceptance: Expanding the Cognitive-Behavioral Tradition. New York: Guilford Press. Jones, C. et al. (2004). “Cognitive behavior therapy for schizophrenia.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 18, 1+ Nathan, P.E. & Gorman, J.M. (2002). A guide to treatments that work. New York: Oxford University Press. Patterson, L. & Welfel, E.R. (2000). The counseling process. Michigan: Brooks/Cole. Ronen, T. & Freeman, A. (2007). Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Clinical Social Work Practice. New York: Springer Publishing Company. Roth, A. & Fonagy, P. (2005). What works for whom? A critical review of psychotherapy research. New York: Guilford. Sommers-Flanagan, J. & Sommers-Flanagan, R. (2012). Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories in Context and Practice: Skills, Strategies, and Techniques. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Sue, D. & Sue, D. (2007). Foundations of Counseling and Psychotherapy: Evidence-Based Practices for a Diverse Society. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Read More