Psychotherapy Over the Last Several

¶ … Psychotherapy

Over the last several years, a variety of treatment options have emerged for a host of psychological illnesses. In most cases, mental health professionals will often prescribe some kind of medication in association with various forms of therapy. This is a part of an effort by primary care doctors, to tackle the underlying known conditions with some of most common drugs (such as Prozac). A good example of this can be seen with a study that was conducted by Columbia University, which found that the number of adult Americans receiving prescription medications to treat various mental disorders increased by: 73% since 1996. At the same time, the number of children taking these drugs rose by 50%. (Steenhuysen, 2009) This is significant, because it shows how a variety of treatment options are often reliant upon these different drugs, to address the underlying symptoms affecting the patient. The problem is that many of these approaches are taking a one size fits all solution to therapy, as they will overly rely on prescription medication. Once this begins to occur, it can have an adverse impact on the patient. In the case of Margarita, she has been through a similar kind of approach in college. As she undergone limited amounts of therapy and was immediately given Prozac, which gave her a negative reaction. This is troubling, because it allowed these symptoms to become so extreme, that she is beginning to have thoughts of violence and has grabbed various weapons on several occasions. All of this occurred in the backdrop of her not receiving any kind of effective therapy, to address these underlying situations. As a result, Margarita needs to undergo a change in how she is looking at various events. The best option would be: to use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). To fully understand how this approach can address the underlying conditions of Margarita requires: examining the origins of the therapy, the basic philosophies, intervention strategies, limitations, legal / ethical considerations and how this aligns with our own philosophy. Together, these different elements will provide the greatest insights as to how CBT therapy can address: the underlying symptoms affecting Margarita and those individuals that may not respond to traditional treatment options.

Origins of CBT Therapy (background, how was it developed, who created it)

The cognitive behavioral therapy is concerned about how the thoughts of the individual will have an impact upon: their feelings and ultimately their behavior. It was developed in the early 1960's by a psychiatrist named Aaron Beck. What happened was, during his many different counseling sessions with a host of patients, he observed that most of the feelings they were having were associated with various thoughts. This connection meant that when someone was feeling upset, it was because they were thinking negative thoughts that were triggering emotional outbursts. The basic theory was developed by observing how there were connections between different events and the underlying behavior of the individual. (Martin, 2011)

At the same time, other leading thinkers in the field (Viktor Frankel) began to draw upon their own life experiences, to illustrate how our thoughts and behaviors were interconnected. What happened was Frankel was a renowned Vienna psychiatrist until the Nazi annexation of Austria. At which point, Frankel would be sent to a concentration camp because he was Jewish. During his experience, he observed how the overall state of mind determined, which individuals were able to survive the Holocaust. As their underlying thoughts; were reflected in their behavior and how they reacted to different events that occurred in their lives. This has an impact on the development of CBT therapy, as Frankel shared these experiences with others. Throughout the 1950's and into the 1960's, these ideas would influence a host of mental health professionals who had similar kinds of observations. This is important, because it highlights how these ideas helped to shape CBT therapy, by showing someone the different ways they can overcome their condition (through changing their thoughts). (Frankel, 2004)

Basic philosophies of the theory (view of human nature, theory of change, view of psychopathology, counselor's role).

The basic philosophy of the CBT therapy is that the individual controls the thoughts that are occurring in their own mind. For most patients this can be a difficult concept to embrace, the reason why is because everyone is taking responsibility for their own actions to some degree. This means that the person does not continually talk incessantly about: past events and how bad they feel. Instead, there is a change in focus by: having the patient concentrate on those thoughts that are most empowering. At the same time, everyone has the ability to change their underlying situation by: taking control of their thoughts. This means working with counselors, who can help you to identify possible challenges you could be experiencing. This is important, because it shows how this kind of therapy requires the individual agreeing to consciously address the underlying thoughts they are having on a regular basis. (Branch, 2010, pp. 39- 61)

During therapy, the counselor will play a role of intervening at times, when the patient may not be aware of what is happening with their thoughts. For example, when an individual is letting their negative emotions run away with them, the therapist will intervene through: a pattern interrupt. At which point, they will refocus the patient on more empowering thoughts. The counselor will also play a role as advisor and confidant. In this case, they will listen to various challenges that: the individual is facing and will discuss their thoughts with them. On those ideas that could be disempowering for someone, they will help to teach the person how to identify and redirect them. This is important, because it shows how the therapist plays a role of confident and coach. While at the same time, they must serve as a foundation of support that is gradually pushing the individual to change. (Branch, 2010, pp. 39- 61)

Identify Intervention strategies of the theory and how they support the concepts and philosophy of the theory.

Possible intervention strategies that could be utilized are through constantly questioning the individual. In this particular case, case you could ask the person how they feel about various events and the impact this is having upon their lives. This is a common technique called questions and suggestions. The way it works is you would ask the individual what thoughts and emotions they are feeling (when they are enduring a particular negative episode). Once they begin to discuss these issues, is when you can make suggestions about how they could be misinterpreting the situation. As their negative thoughts, could be pushing them to do something less empowering in their lives. This is important, because when you are using any kind of questioning as form of intervention, it is helping the individual to see for themselves at how they are contributing to the problem. This is the first step, for them to be able to seek out some kind of lasting changes that can have a positive impact upon their lives. (Whitfield, 2007, pp. 87 -- 107)

Once this occurs, the basic concepts / philosophy are supported with the counselor playing the role as a mentor and coach. In this case, they would show the person how redirecting their thoughts could have an impact upon their emotional state and behavior. At which point, they can begin teaching the individual how they can: redirect their thoughts and techniques to improve their overall quality of life. This is important, because it shows how the therapist serves as way of: supporting and pushing the patient to make changes in their own lives. (Whitfield, 2007, pp. 87 -- 107)

Limitations of the theory, including cultural limitations

There limitations with the CBT approach the most notable is: the fact that someone could be trying to use this form of therapy to treat a variety of conditions. The problem is that in some cases, this therapy may not fully address the underlying problems of the individual. As they could have some kind of chemical imbalance in the brain, that may make it difficult for them to be reasoned with. At the same time, the person must want to change, in order to improve their own lives. This is problematic, because many people who are suffering from these conditions are unwilling to do so. The reason why, is due to the fact that they may not fully understand the overall scope of their condition or care about changing their situation. Then, there could be various cultural factors surrounding their circumstances. As the upbringing of an individual and the environment that they are living in, are having an impact upon how they are viewing various events in their lives. When you put these different elements together, they are showing how there are obvious shortfalls in this theory. (Whitfield, 2007, pp. 87 -- 107)

Analyze the legal and ethical considerations of this particular theory

As far as ethical and legal considerations are concerned, this theory must be used in conjunction with basic common sense principals. As you can not take a one size fits all approach when it comes to the problem, by believing that CBT therapy will cure a host of conditions. Instead, it must be applied with other techniques and take into account the effect that it could be having upon the patient. These two elements are important, because they will ensure that when this therapy is applied, it is used in a way that takes legal and ethical ramifications into account. As a result, ensuring that the patient is receiving the best treatment options (which are reducing the overall amounts of suffering) is the ultimate of objective from: an ethical and legal standpoint. (Roth, 2010, pp. 235 -- 252)