Choosing the Appropriate Therapeutic Intervention

Cognitive Behavior Therapy as My Therapeutic Orientation

Overview of my orientation

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) combines two effective psychotherapy interventions. These are behavior therapy and cognitive therapy. Behavior therapy helps a patient weaken the ties between troubling situations and the habitual reactions to these situations (Vaske et al. 2011). Such reactions include self-damaging, self-defeating behavior, rage, depression, and fear. Besides, it teaches the patient how to calm the mind and body so that they can feel better, think clearly, and make informed decisions. CBT teaches the patient on how the thinking trends may cause symptoms of mental illness by creating a distorted image of what is happening in their life. In the end, the person may feel angry, depressed or anxious for no good reason. When integrated into CBT, cognitive and behavior therapies serve a strong tool for stopping these symptoms and getting the patient's life on a normal path (Moss-Morris et al. 2013). I chose this orientation because I desire to give high-intensity interventions. I want to help clients who have a range of complex issues associated with depression and anxiety. As a Cognitive behavior therapist, I will be treating people from diverse cultural backdrops and ages. I have the skills necessary in assessing their suitability for psychological interventions before implementing therapy programs. My good communication skills will come in handy in conveying CBT with sensitivity in easily understood language.

CBT and mental illness/emotional problems

CBT defines mental illness as negative or false beliefs that need to be tested or restructured. Scientific investigations on CBT illustrate its effectiveness in a range of mental problems such as anxiety, mood, eating, personality and psychotic disorders. CBT changes brain activity in persons with mental problems receiving the treatment. In fact, notable improvements in brain functioning are recorded after someone has undergone some therapy sessions. CBT schedules positive thinking and positive activities into the patient's daily routines to boost the amount of pleasure they experience. Additionally, people with negative thought patterns learn how to restructure these thoughts to interpret their environments in a positive manner (Moss-Morris et al. 2013).

CBT and the Change Process

From the CBT perspective, change takes place by linking what the client does, think and feel. This helps change the manner in which the client thinks (cognitive) and the manner in which s/he acts (behavior). Making changes in what s/he thinks is affecting what the client does and feels. Such changes are essential in ensuring that the concerned individuals are on the right path to recovery. Although it is important to discuss the past and understand how a patient's past has influenced the present mental problem, CBT concentrates on seeking ways to boost a person's mental health now (Vaske et al. 2011).

CBT techniques

CBT has demonstrated to be effective in treating a range of mental illness. This section looks at four CBT techniques that could help counter the negative effects of mental illness. Therapists can help clients stay on the preferred track by practicing these techniques.

i. Identify troubling conditions or situations in life. These include issues such as divorce, medical condition, anger, grief or symptoms of a mental disorder. The client and the therapist can spend time discussing the problems and goals to resolve.

ii. The patient must be aware of their beliefs, thoughts, and emotions about the condition. After identifying the problems to focus on, the therapist encourages the patient to share his/her thoughts about them. This may include the client's interpretation of the meaning of the situation and beliefs about other people and events. The therapist could encourage the client to keep a journal of the thoughts (Moss-Morris et al. 2013).