Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling Essay

Susanne Caviness

Wk 5—Discussion, CBT in individual, family and group thersapy

A basic premise of cognitive behavioral therapy includes questioning automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions. Such distortions include the following: all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophizing, discounting the positive, emotional reasoning, labeling, magnifying or minimizing, mind reading, overgeneralization, personalization, should and must statements, and tunnel vision (Mantosh, 2004). Identifying these distortions is used in CBT in individual, family, and group therapy. The following points out limitations with group therapy  Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling Essay

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GROUP THERAPY

In group therapy, with emphasis on group dynamics and the here-and-now, the patient learns how their behavior is viewed and felt by others, how their behavior creates opinions others have of them and influences their opinion of themselves.(Corsini, 2000). CBT in group therapy, in contrast to individual therapy, is more action-oriented and uses the social components of the group to help members identify the need for change in thought and behavior. (Gazda, 2001)

ISSUES: However, In a group, the process of working through maladaptive cognitions and behaviors may be inhibited. Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling Essay The patient working on particular issues may be hampered by other people interrupting and competing for time, or by others giving feedback that is incorrect or a consequence of their own pathology (Rutan, 1993). When a person is in group therapy, there is no opportunity for the therapist to witness how she interrelates with the family pathology that influenced her core beliefs. In a group, the therapist can only see the consequences of family dynamics as she interacts with others (Sharf, 2012) Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling Essay

FAMILY THERAPY

In family therapy, the emphasis is on how different family members project their own emotionality onto a particular family member and that member’s reactions. The structure of CBT is very useful in challenging these maladaptive beliefs and behaviors. (Sharf, 2012).

The family is a self-regulatory system, with the symptoms as a method of self-regulation. Resistance to change happens. If the symptom of one family member is eliminated, the dysfunctional part of the family system is no longer controlled. This is a threat, so the family members “dig in” to resist the new discoveries from successful CBT. In group therapy, in contrast, only the individual members take the lessons learned and hopefully apply them to their family. (Minuchin, 1996) Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling Essay

Maladaptive behaviors are maintained by their consequences or pay-off. Through CBT, the rationale for what is rewarding or punishing in the family dynamic is uncovered. When the reinforcers or punishers cease, the behavior is extinguished. However, when reinforcers are intermittent, extinguishment of behaviors is difficult. This applies to family therapy and the theory of social exchange. People want to maximize rewards and minimize costs in relationships. (Nichols (2010) Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling Essay

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

The therapist can focus on the individual and progress as rapidly or slowly as the patient can tolerate. The therapist can tailor questions and remarks in the same language or style the patient uses: auditory, visual, or kinetic. This is not possible in a group with many communication styles. Some people may find the action orientation of the group too stressful, do not trust or respect the group members, and prefer individual therapy (Gazda, 2001) Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling Essay

References:

The following references are recognized textbooks and recognized sources in counseling and psychotherapy with the content subjected to peer review boards.

Corsini, R (2000) Current Psychotherapies. F.E. Peacock Publishers, Itasca, IL

Gazda, G (2001) Group Counseling and Group Psychotherapy. Allyn and Bacon, Needham Heights, MA

Mantosh, D. (2004) The Art and Science of Brief Psychotherapies. American Psychiatric Publishing. Arlington, VA Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling Essay

Minuchin, S (1996) Family Therapy Techniques. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA

Nichols, M (2010) The Essentials of Family Therapy Allyn and Bacon, Boston, MA

Rutan, J. (1993) Psychodynamic Group Psychotherapy. Guilford Press, New York.

Sharf, R (2012) Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling. Brooks/Cole, Belmont, CA Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling Essay