The theoretical model under review is Cognitive behavioral therapy ( CBT ) is a goal-oriented and a short-term form of psychotherapy treatment that relies on a practical and hands-on approach in addressing issues and solving problems. The objective of Cognitive Behavior Therapy entails influencing and changing behavior or patterns of thinking that are associated with the difficulties experienced by people, thus changing how they feel (McKay, 2018).
Model’s major Theoretical Assumptions, Propositions, and Concepts
Cognitive-behavioral therapy finds its basis on several fundamental principles derived from cognitive and behavioral psychology. This particular model is mostly action-oriented and problem-focused in its approach to provide therapy. This is an implication that Cognitive behavioral therapy is often utilized in the treatment of certain conditions that are linked to a diagnosis of mental disorder. The key concepts of the cognitive-behavioral model are that it places its focus and more emphasis on current thinking, communication, and behavior instead of previous experiences (Hofmann et al., 2017). This particular model focuses on being applied in solving a wide range of problems and issues, including personality problems, substance abuse, eating disorders, anxiety, fears, panic, and depression, among others. In this regard, the primary role of the therapist using this particular model entails assisting this or her client to discover and practice useful techniques and approaches that can be used in the identification of some of the ways that can be used in eliminating the symptoms of that disorder.
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The cognitive-behavioral therapy model proposes that maladaptive behaviors and the distortion of thoughts have a critical role to play in the development and treatment of various psychological disorders. This model assumes that distress and symptoms associated with psychological disorders can be eliminated or reduced through teaching people about various mechanisms of coping as well as new skills in the processing of information. Another assumption is that cognitions are capable of causing and influencing behavior. This influence seems to go beyond the therapy for traditional behavior since cognitions are considered to serve as mediating responses between behavioral responses and the initial stimuli. The behavior can influence cognitions, but it is worth noting that that cognitions are not just involved in processes of behavior but are also necessary to it (McKay, 2018). Besides, the model assumes that cognitions do not fundamentally comprise simple, mysterious ephemeral processes, but they are capable of being altered, monitored, and measured. This particular assumption implies that it is possible to change how individuals think about themselves as well as alter how they think about the world.
Why and how Change is thought to occur in this Model
According to the cognitive-behavioral therapy model, change is thought to occur by following certain underlying principles and concepts such as the fact that feelings and thoughts in people play a critical role in determining and influencing the nature of their behavior. Besides, the objective of cognitive-behavioral therapy includes enlightening and teaching patients that are capable of influencing and controlling how they interact and interpret various things and situations in the environment. According to McHugh, Hearon, and Otto (2015), cognitive behavior therapy is increasingly becoming more popular in modern days, where it is largely relied upon by mental health treatment professionals and consumers.
In changing thoughts, this particular model emphasizes its ability and role in influencing and altering automatic negative thoughts that are capable of exacerbating emotional difficulties, anxiety, and depression. Such negative thoughts often spring forward and are experienced spontaneously before being accepted and acknowledged as true, where there are associated with a higher tendency to negatively influencing the mood of an individual. Through the cognitive behavior therapy process, patients are subjected to an exercise that involves a closer examination and evaluation of these thoughts before being encouraged to focus on looking at evidence linked reality that refutes or supports them. In this way, it is easier and more convenient for individuals to engage in a more realistic and objective analysis of the thought process that results in feelings of depression and anxiety. Being aware of unrealistic and negative thoughts that contribute to dampening the moods and feelings of people; thus, they can begin engaging in healthier patterns of thoughts ( Bergin, 2015).
Application of the Model to Specific Presenting Issues/Problems or a Specific Client
In the case study under consideration, the issue or problem experienced by clients includes drug and substance abuse linked to unpleasant experiences and negative thoughts. The client is currently trying to withdraw from opioids at the detox unit before being transferred to the rehabilitation unit in the coming few days. Initial assessments have shown that the client may be experiencing depression or anxiety. The application of cognitive-behavioral therapy to the specific issue and problems experienced by the client in the case study reveal that his thoughts and behavior patterns are negatively impacted by the previous experiences of drug abuse that he saw in his parents and stepfather (Beck, 2011). In this regard, it is worth noting that substance use disorders are often considered as heterogeneous conditions that largely characterized by recurring maladaptive consumption or use of psychoactive substances linked to significant disability and distress. Such disorders are common where lifetime rates associated with the abuse of drugs and substances affecting the stability of most families. From the case study, the client currently lacks the potential to determine his boundaries and those of other people with an inability to recognize and acknowledge that the expectations and requests he has for his mother can only contribute to the worsening of his addictive behavior.
How the Model would Explain the Presenting Issue
Based on the cognitive behavioral therapy model, it is common for people struggling with disorders related to substance use to harbor negative and destructive thoughts like the client in this case study. Failure to recognize that such thought patterns are harmful often causes them to seek for wrong curative and treatment measures. Considering that cognition always affects the wellbeing of an individual, it is essential for the client in the case study to focus on how to change his pattern of harmful thoughts (Bergin, 2015). Undergoing cognitive behavioral therapy would assist the client to address the issue of harmful thought patterns by recognizing and appreciating his ability to engage in alternative thinking ways while controlling and regulating harmful behavior and distressing emotions.
To that extent, the application of cognitive-behavioral therapy as a research-based treatment measures modality with a considerable level of effectiveness in addressing issues of substance abuse, mental health diagnoses, and eating disorders. It is also noteworthy that a more active therapeutic modality of cognitive behavioral therapy is objective-directed, problem-focused, and present-oriented. Cognitive-behavioral therapy adds several things to the assessment of the presenting issue in this particular case study. In this regard, cognitive behavioral therapy assists in the exploration of the patterns of behaviors in which the client has self-destruction thoughts. Some of the intervention strategies that would be suggested by cognitive behavioral therapy in this particular client include the formulation of coping measures with the objecting of handling and addressing potential difficulties or stressors following addiction treatment. Another intervention strategy would involve focusing on influencing the origin of the thought patters for the client, thereby eventually changing his behavior and actions (McHugh, Hearon & Otto, 2015).
Intervention Strategies that this Model would Suggest and the Rationale
Intervention strategies that would be suggested by cognitive behavioral therapy for the problem faced by the client described in the case study would include the formulation of coping measures with the objecting of handling and addressing potential difficulties or stressors following addiction treatment. In this way, this particular intervention strategy would focus on assisting this client to discover and practice effective techniques and approaches that can be used in the identification of certain ways that can be used in eliminating the symptoms of that disorder. The rationale for choosing this strategy involves its enhanced capability and capacity in understanding the patter followed by symptoms of behavioral and mental disorders (Beck, 2011).
Another intervention strategy would involve focusing on influencing the origin of the thought patters for the client, thereby eventually changing his behavior and actions. The rationale for this particular intervention strategy involves the fact that it places more emphasizes on the ability and role of cognitive-behavioral therapy in influencing and altering automatic negative thoughts that are capable of exacerbating emotional difficulties, anxiety, and depression. Part of these strategies includes contingency management, which would be expected to involve countering the effects of robust reinforcement of drugs when treatment is initiated. The basis of approaches in contingency management includes the administration of non-drug reinforcements and operant learning theory (Morrison, 2009). The rationale for the selection of this particular intervention strategy entails its effectiveness and the crucial role that it plays in countering the effects of various drugs and substances, including alcohol, opioids, and cocaine among others.
Level of Evidence that has supported this Model and Specific Disorder for which the Model is considered Best Practices
A more extensive level of evidence exists to support the application and utilization of the cognitive behavioral therapy model in addressing mental and behavioral concerns. Based on evidence regarding the successful utilization of the cognitive behavioral therapy model, there has been growing interest in the interventions used as ways of treatment for psychosocial conditions such as psychotherapy used in treating conditions such as schizophrenia. Findings by Cuijpers et al. (2014) indicate that the adoption of approaches and techniques in cognitive behavioral therapy has, in recent times, involved the treatment of individuals suffering from anxiety and mood disorders as well as those with severe mental disorders. One of the specific disorders for which the cognitive behavioral therapy model is regarded as best practice is the treatment of anxiety disorder in adults.
In this respect, evidence was associated with commitment and acceptance therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, as well as metacognitive therapy. In the recent review, sufficient evidence was available to show that the various interventions proposed by the cognitive behavioral therapy model in the treatment and management of anxiety disorder in adults were effective. According to the study conducted by Cuijpers et al. (2014), all conditions of treatment resulted in considerable improvements shown by adult patients who had been diagnosed by anxiety disorder upon being subjected to cognitive-behavioral therapy-based treatment.
Strengths and Limitations of this Model
Cognitive-behavioral therapy has several strengths and limitations. One such strength includes the fact that it is regarded as a more effective form of treatment in addressing mental health disorders and plays a critical role in supplementing medication form of treatment. Besides, the form of treatment provided through the cognitive behavioral therapy model can be completed within a relatively shorter duration in comparison to other forms of therapies. The limitations of this model include its unsuitability in handling the treatment for people suffering from more complex mental disorders. Treatment through this model may also make it a patient more emotionally unstable and uncomfortable during the initial stages of the therapy (Hofmann et al., 2017).
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