Selecting Behavioral Psychotherapy Model - Research Paper Example

Selecting Behavioral Psychotherapy Model Introduction The contemporary society has been experiencing various challenges, specifically health challenges. One of these health challenges is ascribed to mental problems that have been associated with certain social problems. The rate at, which these mental or cognitive challenges are affecting various people in the society has created a need to develop and implementing psychotherapy models. This discussion will focus on various psychotherapy models that have been applied to solve these mental challenges affecting the society. The discussion shall also provide strengths and weaknesses of the selected mental challenges as well as other imperative issues ascribe to the psychotherapy models. Behavioral Therapy Model This is one of the most imperative psychotherapy models. It focuses on modification of overt characters among clients and providing them with opportunities to achieve certain goals (Phillips 2010). It is undertaken through various principles, which entail: The learning theory; acceptance and commitment modes of therapy and psychotherapy functional therapy. Reasons for Selecting Behavioral Psychotherapy Model Behavioral psychotherapy model integrates various approaches that facilitate the achievement of accurate results. The model is imperative in the sense that it allows the participation of patients the creating a scenario of acceptance and commitment of the patients in regard to the requirements of the therapy sessions. Moreover, it integrates empirical models that basically entail data analysis and contextual analysis that focuses on various environmental factors that may affect the clients; thus providing accurate and comprehensive results. Strengths and Weaknesses of this Model Behavioral therapy model integrates various approaches in regard to psychotherapy treatment i.e. commitment and acceptance approach, functional analytic therapy et cetera. This is important owing to the fact it facilitates the generation of effective results. Moreover, this model focuses on both empirical and contextual factors ascribed to the patients leading to the generation of accurate information hence creating a more effective approach to solve cognitive challenges. On the other hand, this model has also been associated with certain limitations that may reduce its efficacy in regard to solving psychological challenges. To begin with, this model focuses on an analysis model that involves the assessment of how individuals react to certain factors that surrounds them. That is, it focuses on a symptomatic approach that evaluates various symptoms. This has been considered its major weakness. Moreover, this mode of psychotherapy has been criticized in that it entails the use of approaches that seem mechanistic, standardized and sterile as it involves the use of certain terminologies such as stimuli that: Makes it appear to lack the element of humanity. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy This mode of psychotherapy treatment entails an approach that integrates various techniques. These techniques are usually directed towards re-construction and construction of individual’s emotional facets, cognition as well as behaviors (Gazda 2009). Through various modalities, therapists usually apply this model to assist their patients to assess and identify their cognitive, behavioral challenges as well as emotional challenges that affects them leading to generation of solutions. Reasons for selecting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on the three most important aspects of human being, specifically, emotions, behaviors and cognitive facets. This makes it important models for creating effective solutions to individuals faced with mental challenges. Moreover, this model can also be easily integrated with behavior Therapy to facilitate psychotherapy treatment. This is due to the fact that they both deal with issues ascribed to behavior. Strengths and Weaknesses of Cognitive Behavior Therapy This model is usually associated with two major strengths; the first is due to the fact that it allows psychologists to investigate certain aspects of psychology i.e. emotions that have been ignored by the concept of behaviorism. It is considered an appropriate method as compared to psychoanalysis and humanism owing to the fact that it investigates various aspects of psychology by applying rigorous approaches. The other strength is associated with the fact that Cognitive Behavior Therapy the results generated are usually accurate. This is due to the fact that in some cases, laboratory approaches that generate accurate and comprehensive results are used. On the contrary, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is also associated with certain weaknesses that jeopardize its efficacy. This model is considered to be over-simplistic in nature; this leads to instances of negligence large complexities of human functionality as compared to other computer generated approaches. Consequently, some critics have argued that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is unrealistic in nature. Moreover, this model is considered to be over-theoretical in nature leading to the negligence of natural and biological processes that influence certain mental processes. Body Oriented Psychotherapy This form of psychotherapy is also referred by some psychologists as somatic. The term Somatic psychology is majorly used in the United States’ of America. The modus operandi of this technology involves focusing on the connection between body and the mind. It is usually undertaken in a manner that it assesses great levels of psyche through promoting an understanding of emotions and the physical body (Chang 2008). This promotes an effective undertaking of the body-oriented psychotherapy processes. Reason for selecting Somatic Psychotherapy This model focuses on the physical as well as the mental aspects of human being. The combination of mental aspects on this model makes it appropriate for integration with other models such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Behavioral Psychotherapy. That is, this model can be easily integrated with other psychotherapy models. Strength and Weakness of Somatic/ Body-oriented Psychotherapy The major strength of this mode of psychotherapy emanates from the act it combines physical and cognitive dimension of patients. This has been perceived as holistic approach to solving cognitive challenges. It also involves the use of various techniques such as: Movements, breathing rates, mirroring as well as touch. Moreover, somatic approach focuses on non-verbal aspects of communication, making it as the most imperative psychotherapy model in the sense that it is comprehensive in nature. Assimilative Integration The concept of assimilative integration involves the provision of psychotherapy services by use of one fundamental model while considering ideas from other models (Messer 2012). In this case, cognitive behavioral therapy may be used while taking consideration of ideas from Behavioral Therapy and body-oriented psychotherapy. In this case, a client is usually perceived basically in regard to his/her cognitive facets, but the therapist may focus on the relationship between the behaviors and the physical conditions of the client and his/her cognitive facets. There are various roles that are usually undertaken by the therapist in this model especially when the three models are applied. To begin with, the therapist may collect data in relation to the client’s cognitive, behavioral and physical dimension and undertake an analysis in order to identify associated challenges. On the other hand, the client may participate in the therapy session by providing information as requested by the therapist i.e. cognitive, emotional and behavioral information. Application of the Integrative Model in Psychotherapy The specific modus operandi Assimilative Approach as an integrated model involves a scenario whereby: The counselor/therapist gathers information from the client through seeking information from the client, observation and undertaking comparative analysis. This information entails cognitive, behavioral as well as information regarding the physical condition of the client. This is followed by an analysis of the information and provision of specific treatment method. Adjusting Assimilative Model to work with Diverse Populations In this case, the assimilative integrated model would entail the application of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and incorporating ideas from behavioral therapy and body-oriented therapy. In order to facilitate the efficacy of this model to work with diverse populations, it is imperative that certain aspects of cultural values are integrated into the model for instance: The therapist may seek information in regard to the client’s cultural orientation. References Harvey, M. A. (2011). Psychotherapy Model. (2nd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. Messer, S. B. (2012). Assimilative Integration. New York, NY: Plenum Press. Phillips, E. L. (2010). Counseling and Psychotherapy: Behavioral Psychotherapy. New York: Wiley. Gazda, G. M. (2009). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. (4th ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Chang, P. L. (2008). Somatic Therapy. Boca Raton: CRC Press. Read More