Behavioral Therapy: Case Analysis
Introduction
Issues of depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and panic disorders are more evident to most clients in therapy practice. In our case, Ann exhibits unusual behavior due to depression, anxiety and hopelessness. Behavioral theory concepts will be applied in treating Ann’s psychological and mental disorders as presented in her case.
What concepts of the theory make it the most appropriate for the client in the case study?
The modern day counseling practice relies greatly on therapy theories. Saul McLeod argues that behavioral therapy effectively treats mental health disorders. (Saul, 2019). Behavioral therapy functions on the idea that since all behaviors get learned, then unhealthy behaviors can possibly get changed. According to (Kendra, 2018), behavioral counseling treats a client’s current problems. In reference to this case, Ann is currently undergoing depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and panic disorders. All these disorders are treated under behavioral therapy. All self-destructive and unhealthy behaviors by the client are effectively treated in this counseling approach. In essence, behavioral counseling will help in reinforcing Ann’s desirable behaviors and attitudes by eliminating the unwanted ones.
Why did you choose this theory over the other theory?
In treating Ann’s current mental and psychological behavioral problems, the counselor had the option to either choose behavioral therapy or rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Since REBT deals with an individual’s irrational beliefs that potentially contribute to her unhealthy behavior, this approach does not fit in treating Ann’s current problems. (Murdock, 2012). Rather, behavioral therapy fits in resolving Ann’s present unusual behavior for it addresses issues of depression, anxiety, panicking, and hopelessness by a client. (Gotter & Timothy, 2016). Additionally, behavioral therapy addresses issues being faced by a client and resulting from her recent happenings and changes in life that are difficult to adapt and adjust with. (Saul, 2019). The main focus of behavioral therapy perfectly addresses Ann’s present issues, and thus the right choice.
What will be the goals of counseling and what intervention strategies are used to accomplish those goals?
In Ann’s therapy, these will be the counseling goals:
- To reinforce Ann’s desirable behaviors by eliminating the unhealthy ones
- To treat the client against anxiety, hopelessness, depression, and life panic disorders
- To identify and help change Ann’s current maladaptive and self-destructive behaviors
- To enable the client cope by giving her hope
In attempts to achieve the above counseling goals, this counseling practice will use the following intervention strategies:
- In-depth client problem assessment: In this practice, the counselor will conduct a detailed analysis of the client’s case as presented in order to offer the right treatment.
- Collaboration and teamwork: The counselor and the client will effectively collaborate in achieving the set short- and long-term goals after assessing the current behavioral patterns and changes of the client.(Gotter & Timothy, 2016).
Is the theory designed for short- or long-term counseling?
Whether behavioral therapy is designed for short- or long-term counseling depends on the counseling goals. In reference to the counseling goals, this theory fits in both. As argued by (Gotter & Timothy, 2016), behavioral theory treats the current problems being faced by a client, meaning it treats short- term behavioral disorders of a client. Behavioral theory benefits people over a long-term perspective by changing their unhealthy and self-destructive behaviors. (Murdock, 2012). In this perspective, the theory fits in long-term counseling. Since Ann’s unusual mental and psychological behaviors are recent, this hence requires immediate and short term therapy that focuses on ensuring long- term positive behavioral change.
What will be the counselor’s role with this client?
In reference to behavioral therapy in collaboration to the ACA code of ethics, the counselor will take on various roles with this client. The counselor has the role of setting counseling boundaries such as the fees. (Murdock, 2012). Also, the role of a teacher by helping the client identify and recognize her self-destructive and maladaptive behavior together with the right approaches to resolving them….
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What is the client’s role in counseling?
For what population(s) is this theory most appropriate? How does this theory address the social and cultural needs of the client?
What additional information might be helpful to know about this case?
What may be a risk in using this approach?
Behavioral therapy is risk when the client gains emotional discomfort at the initial stages of therapy especially when anxiety and depression is extremely high. (Gotter & Timothy, 2016). The other risk of this approach is its ineffectiveness when a client does not collaborate, cooperate, and show commitment with the counselor towards positive behavioral change. (Murdock, 2012). Also, the approach consumes a lot of time and may limit a counselor’s time to attend clients having similar problems. There is also a major risk in the theory’s inability to resolve the main causes of anxiety and depression for it is solely focused on the current behavioral changes and happenings to a client. (Kendra, 2018).
Conclusion
To conclude, behavioral therapy is entirely focused on treating the current unhealthy behaviors of a patient by the counselor. A counselor uses this approach to identify and help in potentially changing a client’s unhealthy behaviors. Therefore, behavior therapists should apply ideas and concepts of behavioral theory in treating patients to effectively achieve the short- and long-term objectives of professional counseling.
References
Gotter, A., & Timothy, L. J. (2016, November 14). Behavioral Therapy. Healthline, 1-7. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/behavioral-therapy#who-benefits
Kendra, C. (2018, November 17). How Behavioral Therapy Is Used in Psychology. Behavioral Pyschology, 1-14. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-behavioral-therapy-2795998
Murdock, N. L. (2012). Theories of counseling and pyschotherapy: A case approach (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Person Education.
Saul, M. (2019, January 03). Behavioral Therapy. Simply Pyschology. Retrieved March 3, 2019, from https://www.simplypsychology.org/behavioral-therapy.html