Cognitive Behavioral: Ann Case Analysis
Introduction
In this case study, the client, Ann, who suffers depression, stress, and anxiety will be examined and treated by a cognitive behavioral therapist in order to boost her happiness and modify her dysfunctional behaviors, emotions, and thoughts. In the analysis, a justification for cognitive behavior theory’s suitability in Ann’s case and not the cognitive and reality theories will be done in detail.
What concepts of the theory make it the most appropriate for the client in the case study?
As a short-term form of psychotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) focuses on solving the present-time issues. According to (Murdock, 2012), CBT treats the emotional and psychological problems that face a patient by modifying dysfunctional behaviors, thoughts, and emotions into happiness. The client in the case feels distressed of financial difficulties, loss of job, lack of supportive family and friends, sole parenting, and her husband’s deployment to overseas. In reference to CBT concepts, Ann’s current thoughts, emotional discomfort, and perceptions to life as difficult are influencing her present behavior. Her depressed, distressed, and anxious state has distorted her perceptions of reality. By using CBT, a counselor will effectively identify all harmful thoughts by Ann and employ the right strategies of overcoming them. (Ben, 2018).
Why did you choose this theory over the others?
In her case, the counselor can use cognitive, reality, or cognitive behavior therapy approaches. However, the choice of the theory depends with the client’s needs and anxiety for recovery. Cognitive behavior therapy is effective when treating depression, stress, anxiety, marital difficulties, and panic disorders. (Kendra, 2018). Unlike reality and cognitive therapy, CBT is very instructive, structured, and cross-cultural. (Saul, 2019). Unlike cognitive and reality theories, CBT theory assumes that human behavior is usually learned and thus can be easily unlearned into a new one. Under cognitive behavior therapy, a counselor is able to conduct an in-depth analysis of the client’s mental issues before administering the appropriate treatment. (Murdock, 2012). All these concepts suitably fit to the client under analysis.
What will be the goals of counseling and what intervention strategies are used to accomplish those goals?
The goals of counseling in this case will include:
- To identify the harmful thoughts influencing the present behavior by Ann
- To treat Ann’s current mental problems and boost her happiness by modifying dysfunctional thoughts, emotions, and behaviors
- To help Ann in dealing with her present emotional and psychological stress appropriately
- To change the way the client, Ann, thinks to a more realistic and positive perception of the world
In order to accomplish these goals, the following intervention strategies will be used:
- In-depth analysis: The counselor will analyze the client’s information in a detailed way to explore the cause and effects of these thoughts and feelings in order to administer the right treatment. (Ben, 2018).
- Self-review: The client will actively get involved in her treatment plan so that she understands the right approaches of improving her life and as well adjust her thinking approach to every day’s situations. (Murdock, 2012).
Is the theory designed for short- or long-term counseling?
Cognitive behavior therapy is short-term. According to (Murdock, 2012, clients spend an average of 16 sessions in cognitive behavior counseling. However, there are those patients who require more than 16 sessions depending with their mental problems state. The main emphasis by a CBT counselor to ensure that the client gets mentally and emotionally better, rather than ensuring the client feels better. (Kendra, 2018). By resolving the problematic behaviors, thoughts, and emotions of a client, CBT creates long-term results for these problems since the causes and its major stressors are appropriately corrected….
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What will be the counselor’s role with this client?
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?
Exploring Ann’s recent relationship with her husband before his deployment to overseas for a 8 month contract is very informative and helpful to the counselor in understand the reason why Ann is worried about becoming homeless. (Saul, 2019). Investigating Ann’s present relationship with her parents and friends is also very informative to the counselor for it will help in understanding the reasons that make them to not support Ann despite her current challenges. The other vital information is about Ann’s childhood experience and behavior, to understand if that could be the reason why her parents do not support her, maybe she was abusive to her father who was a drunkard. (Ben, 2018).
What may be a risk in using this approach?
Conclusion
In conclusion, this assignment applied the concepts of CBT in counseling the client presented in the case. In the assignment, the reasons why the theory is more appropriate the reality and cognitive therapies have been explained. In the analysis, CBT approach has been justified as the most appropriate in short-term counseling. Therefore, counselors should use this approach when dealing with present mental and emotional issues that befall patients.
References
Ben, M. (2018, 8 October). In-Depth: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. 1-17. Retrieved from https://psychcentral.com/lib/in-depth-cognitive-behavioral-therapy/
Kendra, C. (2018, 19 November). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Process, Types, Components, Uses, and Effectiveness, 1-10. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-cognitive-behavior-therapy-2795747
Murdock, N. L. (2012). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: A case approach (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
Saul, M. (2019). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Simply Pyschology, 1-6. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/cognitive-therapy.html