What I Offer

An Eclectic approach to Problem Solving

Psychological Theories

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is 'based on the belief that, the individual has the capacity to change and can be an active ingredient in the process of change'. (Mc Murran & Hollin, 1993)

'Central to this approach is the evaluation of outcomes... It can be empowering, can be applied and implemented by the person independently from the worker'. (Dryden and Lishman, 1991)

Main Objectives are:

 

1 To improve the individuals level of understanding and insight.
2 Enable the person to think about their cognition's which can be changed.
3 Encourage individuals to test out new behaviour, in order to contradict their learnt patterns of behaviour.
4 Equip people with new cognitive / behavioural skills.


Rewards : Are individually defined. Understanding what these might be offers an explanation of the person's behaviour.


ABC Model

A ntecedent - Leading to the initial action.
B ehavior - Following an interpretation of A.
C onsequences - of their Emotive Response.

Why adopt this approach?

The structured nature is Time Limited = Efficient.
It challenges egocentric views in recognising the consequences of the person's action.
It endeavours for a person's commitment to long term change by encouraging planning and learning, reflecting and reviewing from their experience, for possible relapse.

CBT explains why the impact of the external environment (situation) affects individuals differently.

 

A Their Cognition's; Thoughts / Perceptions / Memories / Attitudes
B Their related affect; Feelings and emotions

 

The individual's action has CONSEQUENCES for the external world-IMPACT
The external world can bring about, Positive or Negative CHANGES.

Situation: Cognition (A) Affect (B) - Action = Impact on external world.

Clients are able to learn new patterns of thinking and behaviours, and by addressing the thinking process of the individual, they can be encouraged to change. They are transferable skills.

Rational Emotive Therapy (RET)

'Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them'. (Epicetetus... The Enchiridian.)

Actualizing tendencies by encouraging them to assume responsibility for their own lives'. (Abrams & Ellis, 1950's)

RET is:

'A Theory of personality, it's a way of thinking that helps people maximize their self-actualizing tendencies by encouraging them to assume responsibility for their own lives'. (Abrams & Ellis, 1950's) 3 Basic concepts: Space

 

1 Humans have 2 goals. (i) To stay alive.
(ii) To, feel relatively happy.
2 Rationality contributes to ways of reaching (1) above.
3 Rationality. 'The use of reason in pursuit of chosen short-term and long term hedonism'.


Hypothesis:

Thinking becomes ones emotion and emoting becomes ones thought.
Thinking and emoting take the form of 'self-talk'
What people keep saying become their thoughts and their emotions:
ABC (DE). Framework:

Cognitive-Beliefs
Affective-Emotions
Psycho meter-Behaviour

We can control and modify are belief system and therefore our consequences.
RET is aggressively confrontational, it;

* Spells out irrationality.
* Directs the client to monitor and change behaviour.
* Encourages the client to behave contrary to their irrational beliefs.

3 Basic irrational beliefs:

1. I must do well
2. You must act kindly
3. I must live under good conditions

Psychodynamic Counselling

Treatment is insight orientated. It aims to uncover and work through unconscious conflicts and to make them conscious.

'A Thing which has not been understood inevitably re-appears; like an unlaid ghost, it cannot rest until the mystery has been resolved and the spell broken' (Freud 1909).

Behaviour is determined by unconscious thoughts leading to conflict due to possible opposing demands between; ID, EGO, and SUPER EGO. Unborn instincts are the foundations upon which childhood experience build our personality caused by unresolved conflicts from childhood. Our true motives are unconscious and hidden from us because the instincts and urges are taboo.
Treatment is insight orientated. Our unconscious only lets itself be known to us indirectly through symbolic events like dreams or behaviour. Using knowledge and experience the therapist interprets our experiences and behaviours (e.g. dreams).
Goal : To uncover and work through unconscious conflicts and to achieve a reasonable balance. To unveil our unconscious motives, giving us an opportunity to be free of those unconscious controls.

 

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