Various Avenues of Treatment in Psychology - Assignment Example

Giving Advice about Treatment al Affiliation Giving Advice about Treatment In giving my friend advice, I would be interested in the reasons why my friend would seek the aid of a psychotherapist. The reason behind my interest in this would be that such reasons would be influential in picking the optimal form of treatment, as the field of psychology has various avenues of treatment. Accordingly, concerning the case at hand, two choices were presented to either pick cognitive behavioral psychotherapy or a psychodynamic therapy. Accordingly, it is important to note that therapy regards the attempted remedy of an existing health issue; as influenced by the data derived from a diagnosis. Thus it is the attempted treatment of an existing (diagnosed) ailment, by way of various measures, procedures and therapies. As Butcher, Hooley and Mineka (2014) aver, there is need for individual questioning as to the need of treatment as a form of therapy in this regard. Led by the nature of the ailment(s) diagnosed, the medical expert should have information of the most optimal of avenues through which the best medical dispensation may be achieved. In the field of psychology, the specialty of psycho-therapy, also known as ‘talk’ therapies, is the most preferred avenue of treatment. This is informed by the fact that various ailments in this field are fundamentally influenced by what I would refer to as – mental imbalance. According to my understanding, this is best treated by way of psychotherapy utilizing the aspect of human interaction. Various treatment measures are influenced by decisions that often follow either informal or formal algorithmic guidelines. In this regard, treatment options available are prioritized/ ranked into phases/ lines of therapy i.e. first-, second- and third-line therapy; and so on (Butcher, Hooley & Mineka, 2014). The first-line therapy session is often regarded as primary/ induction therapy that provides the initial treatment measures. Priority in this regard is given to this initial phase based on various issues, i.e. its choice based on the physician’s clinical experience or its formal recommendation based on clinical-trial evidence founded on its combination of tolerability, safety and efficacy. Accordingly, it is only after either the failure (of resolving ailments) or the production of intolerable side effects that additional therapies may be augmented into the line of treatment. Consequently, treatment may be through simultaneous utility of multiple therapies, poly-therapy. In my view, the best avenue of treatment intent is that of supportive therapy, with specific focus being placed on curative intent. For this perspective, the understanding of supportive therapy that is based on curative intent, as the best possible means of eliminating ailments affecting individuals in terms of psychological balance preservation is needed. Since the choices available are either cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy or psychodynamic therapy, it is important to note of the shared aspect of both treatment avenues focused on an individual’s psychological makeup. The most important aspect before choosing either of the two treatment methods would be the need of not only understanding the nature (causes/ reasons) of the ailment present but also each method’s evidence-based foundation (Butcher, Hooley & Mineka, 2014). Thus, vital questions to ask in this regard would include what is the advantage of either treatment methods over the other. Are the symptoms best treated by either, or is there a preference of one avenue over the other? Can both be utilized in a form of combined therapy sessions? The potential and existing side effects should also be considered alongside the choice between the two where continuous research and development (R&D) initiatives portray as the better option in a given medical case scenario. It is only after a review of the above that one may gain the best avenue of treatment. There is also need to choose between medication and therapy; afterwards deciding on which approach methods to utilize. As a treatment measure, cognitive behavioral psychotherapy (CBT) pertains to the approach that addresses issues regarding human dysfunctional emotions, cognitive contents and processes as well as maladaptive behaviors. This is primarily through explicit, goal-oriented systematic procedural measures. Based on the combination of both cognitive and behavioral research and principles, this avenue is best placed to deal with issues pertaining to depression and anxiety amongst others. In this respect, this avenue acknowledges the presence of human behavior that cannot be adequately controlled by way of rational human thought. Thus, the procedure is both action-oriented and problem-focused and can be applied concerning specific instances where the therapists at hand try to assist clients through selecting the most optimal strategies towards addressing prevailing issues. Hence, it is effective in treating amongst other conditions irrational mood changes, personality disorder, anxiety, eating disorder, substance abuse and psychotic disorders. A majority of treatment programs based on this avenue are evaluated for their efficacy, which regards the health-care trend. This is where evidence-based treatment procedures are tested and subsequently acknowledged as being optimal procedures for treatment of symptom-based diagnosis (Butcher, Hooley & Mineka, 2014). It is upon these advantages that CBT continues being favored as a better option in the treatment of psychological ailments recognized over other approaches, i.e. treatments based on psychodynamic treatments. The combination of both cognitive psychology research and behavioral therapy is a great advantage given the fact that both treatment procedures are characterized by the presence of constant reference to existing experimental research. This is towards testing various hypotheses at both basic and clinical levels to find out the best way forward. Therefore, focus is placed on the ‘here and now’ aspect, the therapist’s guidance role, the alleviation of both patient vulnerability and symptoms as well as the structuring of critical psychotherapy paths and session. Psychodynamic therapy, on the other hand, refers to a type of depth psychology, where primary focus is placed on revealing the client’s psyche, especially the unconscious content present. This is aimed at alleviating the existing psychic tension that is visibly displayed or that can potentially result if not treated accordingly. Hence, this avenue of treatment is quite similar to that of psychoanalysis where treatment relies heavily on the existing inter-personal relationship between the therapist and client. Reliance on this relationship for treatment is thus amplified over other avenues of depth psychology thus posing as a form of disadvantage. However, the avenue has been successfully utilized in individual and/ or group therapy as well as family therapy (Butcher, Hooley & Mineka, 2014). In accordance with the aforementioned, I am of the opinion that the better of the two avenues of treatment, would be cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. This is informed by the fact that various advantages exist, i.e. rapid results with fewer therapy sessions, the presence of the client-therapist relationship (abate not being the core focus of the procedure) and collaborative nature between both the client and therapist responsible. Others include its structured nature that provides directive procedures thereby setting specific agendas for each session, and the fact that the avenue is based on an existing educational model that is focused on long-term results. Considerably, the avenue focuses on the client’s goals where therapy is utilized towards enhancing the client in terms of the ‘how to do’ aspect, as opposed to what to do. The basis of this may be on the fact that both CBT techniques and theory do rely majorly on inductive methodology. Accordingly, the central aspect of rational thinking that is based on facts is what is primarily underscored in the utility of this avenue of treatment. Thus, the aim of such inductive methodology is that clients can ultimately change their perspectives, ideals and ultimately their way of life based on the situational contexts present (Butcher, Hooley & Mineka, 2014). It is on this aspect that I would base my recommendations to the friend, in choosing cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy as the better choice option. Reference Butcher, J.N., Hooley, J.M., & Mineka, S.M. (2014). Abnormal Psychology (16th Ed.), Chapter 16 (pp. 548–581). Boston, MA: Pearson. Read More