Conceptualization in cognitive therapy serves two functions. First, it is an activity that precedes the implementation of specific therapeutic techniques. It can, therefore, be said that as conceptualization helps in understanding the patient’s problems, it does this to narrow down the appropriate techniques to treat and manage the patient’s condition (Waltman & Sokol, 2017). For instance, conceptualization has helped to understand conditions like depression and anxiety by developing their respective cognitive conceptual frameworks. Such frameworks have influenced the perspectives of depression and anxiety as a perception of loss and threat, respectively. Equally as important, however, is that idiosyncratic conceptualization has helped to expand the domains of analyzing a patient’s problems (Hewitt et al., 2017). For instance, idiosyncratic conceptualization has contributed by taking into account a patient’s social and environmental factors, such as personal and family history, available resources, and environmental makeup.
On the other hand, conceptualization aids in the development of adaptive coping mechanisms and responses in various ways. For instance, conceptualization will give an idea about the individual’s and their automatic response to events (Dobson & Dobson, 2018). If an individual believes that they are incompetent, then starts to read a difficult text, conceptualization will help predict their self-deprecating thoughts as well as emotional discouragement and physiological heaviness. The response will be to cope by avoiding difficult tasks and going for easier ones, such as watching Tv. Once this is understood using conceptualization, the next step is to help reshape the individual’s adaptive coping mechanism. For instance, avoidance and self-indulgence behavior can be changed using cognitive frameworks, a problem-solving mindset, or coping mechanisms where the individual changes their perspectives on the problem.
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References
Dobson, D., & Dobson, K. S. (2018). Evidence-based practice of cognitive-behavioral therapy . Guilford Publications.
Hewitt, P. L., Flett, G. L., & Mikail, S. F. (2017). Perfectionism: A relational approach to conceptualization, assessment, and treatment . Guilford Publications.
Waltman, S. H., & Sokol, L. (2017). The generic model of cognitive behavioral therapy: A case conceptualization-driven approach. In The science of cognitive behavioral therapy (pp. 3-17). Academic Press.
