Discussion: Cognitive and Behavioral Theories

Discussion: Cognitive and Behavioral Theories

Week 6 Discussion

Conceptualizing Cognitive and Behavioral Theories

When meeting a client for the first time, he or she may inquire about the theories that guide your work. The client might also have questions about the interventions you plan to use, and how these interventions will help him or her. When addressing these questions, how might you contextualize your theoretical approach in a way that is meaningful for your client? Once you contextualize the theory itself, how might you convey information about specific interventions?

In this Discussion, you select a CBT theory that most resonates with you, dialectical behavior, rational emotive behavior, or reality therapy/choice. You then closely examine the media, Deidre Part 2, found in this week’s Learning Resources. Keeping Deidre’s questions and concerns in mind, how might you contextualize your theoretical approach? Furthermore, how might this specific theoretical approach help to guide your dialogue with Deidre?

Posting Directions: In the subject line of your post, use the following title format: “Title of Discussion: The theory you selected for this Discussion.” Your initial post must be at least 200 words in length.

Post by Day 3 your response to Deidre and explain how you would contextualize your theoretical approach. Then, explain how this theoretical approach may help Deidre to move toward her goals.

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Respond by Day 5 to at least two of your colleagues using the following approach:

·         Pretend that you are Deidre. Give two follow-up questions she might have for her counselor. In addition, provide insight into dialogue that might need to be further clarified to help Deidre understand the theory being used, and/or the next steps of the counseling process.

·         Due on 1/6/16 @ 6pm Eastern Standard Time

THIS IS THE TRANSCRIPT ABOUT THE CLIENT “DEIDRE”

Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories Program Transcript Instructions:

Watch the following interaction between Deidre and the counselor. Post by Day 4 your response to Deidre and explain how you would contextualize your theoretical approach. Then, explain how this theoretical approach may help Deidre to move toward her goals.

Counselor: Hello, Deidre. It’s nice to meet you. What brings you here?

Deidre: Well, Dr. Clark at the health center, I was talking to him about my anxiety, and he gave me something for it. And it’s been working a little bit, but he thought I should come here too.

Counselor: What do you think?

Deidre: I don’t know. I think there’s a lot of other people who could probably use this more.

Counselor: You think your anxiety isn’t serious enough to warrant you to be here? Deidre: I don’t know. I mean, what are we going to do here, just sit and talk?

Counselor: Well, that’s part of it. But before we get into our first session, I just want to make sure that you understood what you signed regarding the informed consent document and all of the elements regarding confidentiality.

Deidre: Yeah, the form that says that this is confidential unless I tell you I’m going to hurt myself or someone else?

Counselor: Yes, that’s right. I’m impressed that you remembered that.

Deidre: Yeah, Dr. Clark explained it to me when I said I was nervous about coming here.

Counselor: You’re feeling nervous about being here right now?

Deidre: No…I mean… yes. I understand the confidentiality thing, but it’s just that I’ve never talked to anyone about any of this before.

Counselor: Well, it’s very natural to be nervous in counseling sessions and especially the first one that you attend. But let me assure you that this is a safe and nurturing environment and that anything you say here stays here. But also, there are some limits to that confidentiality. And first, like you already know, if you say anything about harming yourself or harming others, I will have to break confidentiality, because I’m obligated as a counselor to protect you but also those around you. Also, if for any reason there’s talk about neglect or abuse, I would also have to break confidentiality in those instances as well. And finally, if I’m subpoenaed by a judge or a court to turn over my records, I would be obligated to do so, so that would be another limitation on confidentiality. Do you understand all of those limitations?

Deidre: Yeah, thanks.

Counselor: I noticed on your form that you mentioned that you wanted some help with your anxiety.

Deidre: Yes.

Counselor: Okay. I think we can work together on this. But let me first tell you about my approach to counseling. What I first do is I ask.