Reviewing Reality, Feminist, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapies - Report Example

Reviewing Reality, Feminist, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies This paper will explore the goals, techniques, and client/counselor relationship typical of three approaches: Reality Therapy, Feminist Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It is important for the counselor and client to feel comfortable with the approach(es) used. Effort will be applied to identify how each of these approaches is a comfortable match for me or not, and how it is in relation to multicultural others. Reality Therapy focuses on solving problems. The goal of Reality Therapy is to move away from the past and focus on now, so that behavior and thoughts can be enlisted to move the client toward solutions, instead of problems (Reality Therapy Central, 2012). The past cannot be changed, but the present and future can be changed. In order to bring about change, the client needs to notice what works and what does not, in advancing toward what is wanted. Various techniques are used in a specific sequence. The first technique is to establish trust and a strong, beneficial relationship between the therapist and client. The therapist sets up an environment that will satisfy client needs. People of all cultures need to survive, have love and belonging, feel power, experience freedom, and have fun. So the counselor creates and maintains an environment where the client feels safe, feels connected, is listened to and respected, can make some choices, and has some fun (Reality Therapy Central, 2012). The next technique is to listen to the client’s story, to identify the problem(s). The counselor tries to understand what an ideal solution would be, based on the desire of the client (Reality Therapy Central, 2012). The counselor assists the client in listing all the actions taken to reach the goal. The client is encouraged to list actions that keep him/her from reaching the solution, as well. The counselor can add to the list (Reality Therapy Central, 2012). Once identified, actions are evaluated as to whether they are leading toward the solution or away from it. Finally, the counselor helps the client to come up with a plan of action that will more efficiently and effectively lead to the desired solution. These techniques, once learned, can be used for more effective living (Reality Therapy Central, 2012). The counselor takes on the role of trusted ally and caring confidante, constantly guiding toward more beneficial options and responsible behavior (National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists , 2013). The counselor keeps the emphasis on the person’s thoughts and behavior which either perpetuate or alleviate the problem and will lead toward or away from what the client really wants. The focus must be uncompromising (National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists , 2013). Some aspects of this approach match my personality and values, while others do not. I am open-minded and empathetic, so I would find it intriguing to look from the perspective of the client. I am always interested in the incredible variety of ways people think and behave, and enjoy exploring that. I am an assertive person, so that will be helpful in keeping the client focused on solutions and re-directing them from past failures and circumstances. When my stress level is high, I can become bossy, so I must pay attention to my own needs so that I can be assertive as a guide, rather than bossy. That might mean scheduling a case load that has time for me, in between helping others. My clients will come to me because I have helpful training and skills, not so I can make them into me them into me. I really find myself attracted to an approach that sensibly looks at what can be done to make things better instead of whining about being stuck in a bad situation. However, I also think that the past may be worth looking at. The past can show the tracks a person has made in life. This is important information when designing a map for the future. In some ways, Feminist Therapy is similar to Reality Therapy, and in other ways it is absolutely different. It is similar in that the relationship between counselor and client is critically important. In Reality Therapy, the counselor provides a needs-based environment and a template for problem-solving. With Feminist Therapy, the counselor nurtures the experience of relationship equality so that the client comes to understand what equality is and what it feels like. The counselor assumes accountability in the relationship, but does not assume the role of superior expert or a person with all the answers. As I am a down-to-earth person, who values being genuine and honest, I am attracted to this aspect of Feminist Therapy because clearly I do not have all the answers. I see myself as a person who is acquiring skills that can help others, but I am simply the person with the tools. Like all humans, I also encounter problems. I know ways to negotiate problems. An outstanding difference between Reality Therapy and Feminist Therapy is in their explanation of how to look at problems. The assumption, in Feminist Therapy, is that problems stem from social inequality, leading to oppression and victimization. Reality Therapy tries to stay away from victim mentality by drawing the focus away from what happened and where blame might be attached, and keeping the focus on the solution (Reality Therapy Central, 2012). I feel cautious about focusing on victimization and oppression. I recognize that if one is abused, bullied, raped, neglected, refused employment due to sexual preference or gender or weight or ethnicity, that this gives a person more vulnerability to problems. A person who has not felt power and self worth, and who is invisible and has no voice, will have difficulties, certainly. I agree that this needs to be recognized and not made worse in therapy. But I feel concerned about therapy being primarily motivated by the client’s lack of power. Reality Therapy empowers the client to support a personal solution. Feminist Therapy’s goal, however, is more far-reaching, social and political change, so that we can eliminate the source of most problems (Evans, Kincade, & Seem, 2011). Women, in particular, must become economically and psychologically autonomous, to see the problem and originating social dynamics clearly. This motivates social change (Evans, Kincade, & Seem, 2011). Whereas Reality Therapy has a clear sequence of techniques, Feminist Therapy focuses on social and political consciousness and not on specified techniques (Evans, Kincade, & Seem, 2011). Suggesting books, pamphlets, movies, and world events to discuss can be as important as reviewing one’s life story through a socially and politically conscious lens. The point is to increase awareness of social and political forces operating (Evans, Kincade, & Seem, 2011). I agree with the necessity for social change and the advisability of activating\ people to bring it about. However, when a client is stuck in a problem, I am not convinced that social change is the best primary goal. It takes a long time and, while pursuing it, one should still have a quality life. I would feel comfortable with weaving in social consciousness appropriately, but I do not want that to be my primary goal with clients. I also would not want to offend clients who are culturally different from me, by presenting a political worldview they could not relate to. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is strongly related to Reality Therapy in that both focus on changing behavior by becoming more aware of thoughts and actions, and bringing them into alignment with what is desired. Reality Therapy, however, emphasizes actions, while Cognitive Behavior Therapy emphasizes correcting irrational, distorting beliefs that lead to action. The idea of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is that perception influences emotion, which influences behavior. Perception of one’s experience can lead to irrational beliefs. If a client is unaware of the nature of those irrational beliefs, and how they have influenced the perception of a more current situation, then behavior will flow from unexamined distorted thought patterns, and may sabotage one’s efforts (National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists, 2013). For example if, based on childhood experience, a person has gained an irrational belief that being unwaveringly quiet and invisible, restraining self-expression, is the mark of a good person, then they will automatically perceive all situations as demanding that behavior, and will act in accordance. However, that is an irrational belief, a distorted perspective. While it might have applied to life with a dominating, maladjusted parent, it is not applicable to gaining a position as CEO. This irrational belief will sabotage one’s dream to become a CEO. By becoming conscious of the irrational belief and distorted perception that drives the sabotaging behavior, a person can improve their behavior to be congruent with what they want. The counselor teaches a set of techniques to identify distorted thinking, alter sabotaging beliefs, try out improved interactions with others, and behave in a more appropriate way. This will involve mood and thought assessment, application discussion, and investigating where irrational beliefs came from (Beck, 2013). The counselor plays a very active, guiding role. This approach to counseling works for me because I see it as efficient, focused and sensible, educating the client to handle problems through self-monitoring, once the therapist teaches the skill, just as with Reality Therapy. Unlike Feminist Therapy, it does not bring in political and social oppression models that might distract from the goal of solving immediate problems, or might alienate clients. I support self-control and self-empowerment. I admire this approach because it is scientifically well-documented to demonstrate success with a huge variety of problem behaviors and disorders, including medical disorders, as well as psychiatric disorders and life challenges for all ages and cultures (The Beck Institute, 2010). Like Reality Therapy and Feminist Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a model that requires active counselor in-put. As an extrovert, I am comfortable with that. This paper has reviewed goals, techniques, and client-therapist relationships typical of three approaches: Reality Therapy, Feminist Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Although all three therapies match my values and personality in certain aspects, Reality Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are the over-all best matches. Based on research, it appears that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a suitable match for a diverse population. References Beck, J. S. (2013). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved April 28, 2013, from Academy of Cognitive Therapy: http://www.academyofct.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3284&gclid=CNnS9veU7bYCFUd76wodYCcA0w Evans, K. M., Kincade, E. A., & Seem, S. R. (2011). Introduction to feminist therapy: Strategies for social and individual change. Thousand Oaks: Sage Pub. . National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists . (2013). Cognitive-Behavioral therapy. Retrieved April 27, 2013, from NACBT: http://www.nacbt.org/whatiscbt.htm Reality Therapy Central. (2012, February 1). Reality Therapy. Retrieved April 28, 2013, from Reality Therapy Central: http://www.realitytherapycentral.com/ The Beck Institute. (2010). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Retrieved April 28, 2013, from The Beck Institute: http://www.beckinstitute.org/what-is-cognitive-behavioral-therapy/?gclid=CND-wq2V7bYCFct56woddX8AAA Read More