Cognitive Behavioural, Humanistic and Psychodynamic Models - Assignment Example

Reflective Web folio Introduction Prior to studying this module, I was vague about various psychological approaches applied in counselling. It has been quite an enjoyable and informative module toward my career development as a counsellor. Of particular influence has been the application of psychological therapies to counselling. I have been able to learn about the three psychological approaches applied in counselling, that is, cognitive behavioural, humanistic and psychodynamic models. In this reflection web folio I discuss these models and how I can use them to help Mathew who has hearing problem. This will enable him get accurate information, to react effectively to communication problems and access other devices that can help him improve his hearing and interaction with other people. Cognitive behavioural model and how it can be applied in Mathew’s case Prior to attending lecturers on cognitive behavioural model, I used to think that it is a distinct therapeutic technique. To my surprise, I learned that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a general term referring to different therapies with similarities (Johnson, 2006). I learned that approaches such as rational emotive behaviour, rational behaviour, cognitive therapy, rational behaviour therapy, rational living therapy and dialectic behaviour therapy are components of cognitive behavioural therapy (Dobson, 2009). In spite the diverse approaches I learned that CBT have common characteristics which link different approaches in this model (Hitch, 2006). One of these characteristics is that CBT is based on the cognitive model of emotional response. Under this characteristic I learned that people’s thoughts causes their behaviour and feelings contrary to my prior believe that feelings and behaviour are influenced by external things such as people, events and situations (Patton and McMahon, 2006). This implies that people can change the way they think in order to feel or act better even if the situation remain the same. Thus in the case of Mathew it seems that his thoughts of being rejected by the management when he puts on hearing devices makes him to resort to early retirement and refuse to put on hearing aids. Based on this knowledge it is possible to help Mathew change his thoughts by giving him various available. Another unifying characteristic in this model is that CBT is time limited and briefer. I learned that the instructive nature of CBT and the use of home assignment enable it to be briefer. Based on the knowledge acquired in the first characteristic of this model, I would design home assignments for Mathew to learn other options available to him such as advantages of getting hearing aids, using hearing assistive technology, learning to speech read/lip reading and other everyday coping strategies. This will change his thoughts that early retirement is the only option for him. I also learned that a sound therapeutic relationship is required for effective therapy. I learned that even though good, trusting relationship is required, this is not enough but instead the clients need to learn how to think differently and to act on that learning for them to change (Johnson, 2006). This implies that when I apply this model to my clients I ought to focus on teaching them rational self counselling skills. By allowing Mathew to learn about other options available to him for coping with hearing loss, he will be able to think differently and hence make an informed choice on whether he still wants to go ahead and retire early or use these other approaches to cope with his situation. I also learned that unlike other models, in CBT collaboration between the client and the counsellor is required for effective results to be attained. Under this characteristic I learned that when applying CBT I ought to seek learning what my clients want out of life and then help them attain their goals. This implies that if I chose on employing this model to inform my practice then I have to listen, teach and encourage the client and require that the client expresses his/her concerns, learn and implement that learning. Even though this characteristic requires a counsellor to help the client attain what they want, I differ with this thought in case of Mathew because encouraging him to retire early is not a good choice. However, the best option is to help him learn other available options and encourage him to make an informed choice which is more suited for him since he has limited social life and quitting the job may result in depression. By helping him to learn other alternatives this situation can be avoided. Furthermore, I learned that CBT is based on stoic philosophy aspects in that when employing this model I should not tell my clients on how they ought to feel. Thus in case of Mathew, the best approach is to let him learn other alternatives which might influence his thoughts to change rather than telling him to change his thoughts about quitting the job or refusing to put on the hearing devices. Moreover, I learned that Socratic Method is also employed in CBT in that I ought to gain a very good understanding of the concerns of my client when I need to employ this method. Thus I ought to find out whether the fears of Mathew about how the management will take him when he puts on the hearing devices have any bearing (Johnson, 2006). I can establish this by learning about the behaviour of the management in the company that he works. In addition, I learned that CBT is structured and directive in nature and that it is based on an educational model. This implies that I ought to structure counselling of Mathew in educational model. Moreover, I found out that CBT theory and techniques rely on the inductive method where it is argued that human thoughts are hypotheses that can be questioned and tested. This allows people to change their thinking if the guesses are found to be incorrect. In order to help Mathew start using the hearing device I can have Mathew enquire from his management how they would treat one of their employees who put on a hearing aid in a tactical manner. This would help to test the hypothesis that Mathew holds that he might be fired from his current position if his management learns that he has a hearing problem. Finally, I learned that homework is a central feature of CBT. Thus, most counselling process with Mathew will entail intensive homework assignments. Psychodynamic model In psychodynamic model I have been able to learn how a counsellor can use the therapeutic relationship at gain insight into the unconscious relationship patterns that evolved within the client since childhood. The model informed me on how to link dreams, memories and other evidence of early relationships to make sense of the current concerns of the client. I have learned that change process in clients takes place when they become aware of the power of the unconscious including instincts, defence mechanisms and rules for life to influence their behaviour and hence more able to control their actions and responses. Based on this knowledge I would find out whether the fears of Mathew loosing his job have any unconscious bearing (Johnson, 2006). Thus I would try to let Mathew know some of powers that might be influencing his current thoughts and from this I might be able to initiate change process within Mathew’s thoughts. Contemporary psychodynamic is related to therapy and this relationship is based on acceptance, empathy and understanding which emphasizes the importance of a good working alliance between the client and the counsellor in order to foster trust (McConnell, 2006). As such this knowledge has been instrumental in informing me on how I can win the trust of my clients in future. Thus, to effectively employ this model I would try as much as possible to win the trust of Mathew through empathizing with him and trying to understand his situation. I also learnt that in order to be able to apply the psychodynamic model effectively, I ought to take account of the client’s real world including the impact of trauma, sexual orientation, social context, cultural difference and disability (Follette, 2006). Thus in case of Mathew I would have to take into account family situation and workplace situation. I have been able to learn how human functions gained from psychoanalytic theory can be utilized to enhance the life of the client and to uses in a variety of ways. In addition, I have been able to gain insights on how psychodynamic model is linked to the theories of Sigmund Freud (Rubin and Babbie, 2008). According to Freud’s theory I learned that emotions, thoughts and behaviour stem from the unacceptable thoughts of the client which they allow to influence their present thinking. I further learned how they repressed feelings and thoughts eventually manifest as depression, conflicts and fears (Parritz and Troy, 2010). Based on these arguments it might be possible that the current fear of Mathew are related to his childhood experiences which have been repressed for long and now they have manifested in form of fear of losing his job if he puts on hearing devices. By conversing with Mathew I will be able to establish this and help Mathew know how this has impacted on his present fears. Humanistic model Even though humanistic and psychodynamic models have some linkage to Freud theories, humanistic model is also based on Junk theories and it changed from the patient/doctor relationship to a relationship where two people work together as equals to sort out the problem. I would try to work with Mathew as an equal partner and not to try to impose any decision on him. However, emphasis is placed on how the client experiences the situation (Sudak, 2006). Even though Mathew seems to have accepted the situation, he is in denial of using hearing devices in fear of loosing his job, the fear which is yet to be proved. Thus, even though the model values all aspects of the person, feeling, thinking, emotion and intuition it will be a good thing to find out whether these fears have any basis (Johnson, 2006). This implies that I will have to go against Mathew’s feelings in order to establish the truth behind his fears. In this model, the counsellor helps the client to find his or her own inner resources. Thus to help Mathew find his inner resources I will have to let him know various options available for coping with his hearing problem (Kahn, 2009). I found out that various forms of humanistic model are in existence including co-counselling, and the client centred counselling. I found out that humanistic model allows people to be creative, grow and choose. Various therapies are also in existence in this model and they include existential therapy, transpersonal psychology and psychosynthesis, transactional analysis and gestalt therapy (Fair, 2009). Thus, I would borrow some feature from some of these approaches to try and help Mathew cope with his situation. Reference Dobson, K. 2009. Handbook of cognitive-behavioural therapies, 3rd Ed. London: Guilford Press Fair, S. 2009. Wellness and Physical Therapy. London: Jones & Bartlett Learning Follette, V. 2006. Cognitive-behavioral therapies for trauma, 2nd. London: Guilford Press. Hitch, D. 2006. Practice Issues for Occupational Therapists in Mental Health. London: Lulu.com Johnson, D. 2006. Thinking government: public sector management in Canada, 2nd Ed. Toronto: University of Toronto Press Kahn, J. 2009. An introduction to masculinities. New York: John Wiley & Sons. McConnell, C. 2006. The health care manager's human resources handbook. London: Jones & Bartlett Learning Parritz, R., and Troy, M. 2010. Disorders of Childhood: Development and Psychopathology. London: Cengage Learning Patton, W., and McMahon, M. 2006. Career Development and Systems Theory, 2nd Ed. London: Sense Publishers Rubin, A., and Babbie, E. 2008. Research methods for social work, 6th Ed. London: Cengage Learning Sudak, D. 2006. Cognitive behavioural therapy for clinicians. London: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Read More