Personal Theory of Therapy: A Cognitive Behavioral Approach

Introduction

This paper explores personal theories about change and therapy as part of developing a personal therapeutic approach and process. The exploration begins with an examination of personal beliefs regarding health, normalcy, and change, followed by a discussion of the theoretical foundations influencing a personal style of therapy. A description of the personal therapy process and culturally responsive therapy is also included. The final section presents a theory of therapy diagram based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

Michael White and David Epston have played a crucial part in explaining family therapy for nearly two decades, contributing to the emergence of numerous concepts in textbooks and handbooks of family therapy (Ramey et al., 2009, p. 262). One such concept is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is used to treat people experiencing a range of problems, including mental health issues. The use of such theoretical approaches is grounded in the recognition that people hold several interacting narratives that contribute to the development of a sense of self. As a result, the issues that clients bring to therapy are not limited to the clients themselves but are also affected and shaped by cultural discourses regarding identity and power (Madigan, 2011).

Personal Beliefs About Health and Normalcy

Every individual and every therapist holds a set of personal beliefs and ideas regarding health and normalcy. These beliefs are influenced by several factors, including one's sense of self and cultural discourses encountered throughout personal growth and development. They have a considerable impact on a person's perspective of health and normalcy, which in turn affects quality of life and the healing process. Moreover, personal beliefs about health and normalcy shape individual growth and a person's overall sense of well-being.

From an individual perspective, health is the state of physical, social, and emotional well-being. This definition is grounded in the understanding that health is more than the mere absence of illness or injury. Through physical, social, and emotional well-being, healthy individuals are able to cope with day-to-day activities and adapt to their ever-changing surroundings ("What is Health?" 2012). This implies that, despite the importance of the absence of disease, its absence alone is neither sufficient to define health nor adequate to produce it. Normalcy, on the other hand, is the ability to sustain the best possible level of wellness in order to improve quality of life. Normalcy is therefore an active process through which a person remains consistently aware of what constitutes a healthy and satisfying life, and makes decisions and choices that contribute to realizing that standard.

Change in Relation to Cognitive Behavioral Theory

The exploration of personal theories regarding change and therapy necessarily involves examining how people change and what role the therapist plays in that process. While people do not fundamentally change who they are, they develop and become better by changing various aspects of their decisions and behaviors. Based on Cognitive Behavioral Theory, people's change follows from interactions between their cognition, emotion, and behavior. The change process takes place through learning new ways of thinking, which in turn triggers different emotional responses and behaviors. Change can also emerge from the modification of existing thinking patterns, emotional responses, and behaviors.

People change by acquiring skills and knowledge related to a particular issue or area they wish to address. When using this theory of therapy, the role of the therapist is to help clients identify the ways of thinking, feelings, and behaviors that sustain their problems. This identification is followed by assessment and conceptualization of new ways of thinking, emotional responses, and behaviors. The therapist then acts as a change agent by assisting the client to implement new thought patterns, feelings, and behaviors in order to stop sustaining problems and to actively address them. In this capacity, the therapist engages the client with several possibilities for change (Linnell, 2010, p. 24).

Theoretical Foundations of the Approach

A therapist's individual approach and process are influenced by his or her theoretical foundations, which differ with respect to their focus and methodologies. Generally, therapeutic approaches and processes are classified into three major categories: psychodynamic, humanistic, and cognitive-behavioral approaches. These categories represent groups of varying theoretical approaches that share certain important similarities distinguishing them from one another. The theoretical foundation for the therapeutic approach described here is cognitive behavioral therapy.

Behavior therapies have traditionally focused on the transformation of observable behaviors by providing varying or rewarding outcomes and consequences. The cognitive-behavioral approach, however, broadens behavior therapy to include the contribution of people's thought processes in creating, maintaining, and changing the various issues or problems they experience (Jones, 2010, p. 2). The choice of cognitive behavioral therapy as a theoretical foundation for counseling and therapy is influenced by a focus on helping clients identify the reasons for their problems and develop strategies for addressing these issues through changes in thinking. Through cognitive-behavioral approaches, the therapist evaluates clients and provides effective intervention to help them change the thought processes and behaviors that sustain their difficulties. This is grounded in the belief that every individual has the capacity to address their problems by changing their thinking patterns and behaviors.

More specifically, the theoretical foundation of this approach is Cognitive Therapy, developed by Dr. Aaron T. Beck. This theory represents a comprehensive psychotherapy system in which the therapist and the client collaborate as a team to identify and solve problems. The therapist's work is to help clients address problems by changing their thinking, emotional reactions, and behaviors. Treatment using Cognitive Therapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is grounded in a comprehensive and empirically supported theory of psychopathology and personality. McLeod (2014) states that this theory is based on the idea that our cognition (how we think), emotional responses (how we feel), and behavior (how we act) interact with one another. Dealing with problems therefore requires becoming aware of negative interpretations, distorted reactions, and dysfunctional behavioral patterns. The goal of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is to help clients achieve remission of their disorder and develop appropriate measures to prevent relapse ("Cognitive Behavior Therapy," n.d.). This is accomplished by teaching individuals to change distorted thinking, distressing emotional effects, and dysfunctional behaviors.

Description of Fit

This theory fits with personal conceptions about human behavior and development because human behavior and development are by-products of cognition, emotional responses, and behavior. These three elements interact to influence human growth and development. A person's cognition and thinking patterns play a crucial role in determining feelings and behaviors, which in turn affect an individual's development and growth through shaping mental representations of the real world.

Conclusion

Therapy approaches and processes used by various therapists to address varying client issues and problems are based on diverse theories of psychotherapy and psychology. A therapist's effectiveness in handling the various issues clients present requires exploration of personal theories regarding change and therapy. These theories are grounded in personal beliefs and values about health and normalcy, which in turn influence practices during therapy sessions and processes. Based on personal beliefs about health and normalcy, the theoretical foundation informing this therapeutic approach and practice is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

References

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Ramey, H. L., Tarulli, D., Frijters, J. C., & Fisher, L. (2009, June 27). A sequential analysis of externalizing in narrative therapy with children. Contemporary Family Therapy, 31, 262–279.

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