Module 4
Discussion Instructions:
• Review the attached scoring guidelines for discussion assignments.
• Assume you were counseling people with the following presenting problems. Read each of the three scenarios and then address the following questions for each person from an Cognitive-Behavioral perspective in a 500-700 word essay (*note: Your total discussion post should be 500-700 words, so aim for around 200 words per scenario and you’ll be in the right spot.)
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What cognitive and/or behavioral issues are involved?
What would be your counseling goals (i.e. change cognitive schema, improve behavior, etc. ) for each of these persons?
What two specific CBT techniques could you use (Give examples)? (For example, Socratic dialog, behavioral activation, psychoeducation, etc.)
This discussion should be 500-700 words (+/- 200 words per scenario).
You may use chapter ten of your textbook as one source.
You are to include two additional scholarly articles as cited sources in the discussion. (Note: Websites will not count for these sources; your sources must be scholarly journal articles found in the UWA online library.
James
My fear is that I am empty and vacant inside. I’ve never really had to look at myself before now, but, since my husband left me, I am lost. I feel deserted, abandoned, isolated, and I fear that I cannot make it alone. I depended on him to give me a sense of worth, and now that he’s gone, I just feel a void.
Susan
So rarely do I feel calm. I feel anxious basically from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed. I’m able to work and handle all of my family responsibilities but the anxiety always seem to be there, like an unwanted visitor. What can I do to get some relief?
Michael
When I hear about all of the terrible things that are happening in the world (mass shootings and hate crimes, terrorism, poverty, and homelessness), I get so sad. I’ve started sleeping more and doing less things with my friends. I’m afraid they are going to stop inviting me to things because I’ve cancelled so often lately.
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Here are the cognitive and behavioral issues involved, counseling goals, and CBT techniques that could be used with each of the three clients:
James
Cognitive issues: James is experiencing negative thoughts about himself and his ability to cope with life on his own. He believes that he is “empty and vacant inside,” that he is “lost,” and that he “cannot make it alone.” These thoughts are likely contributing to his feelings of sadness, isolation, and anxiety.
Behavioral issues: James is avoiding activities that he used to enjoy, such as spending time with friends. He is also sleeping more than usual. These behaviors are likely a way of coping with his negative thoughts and feelings.
Counseling goals: The goal of counseling would be to help James challenge his negative thoughts and beliefs about himself. The therapist would also help James develop new coping skills to deal with his anxiety and sadness.
CBT techniques: Two CBT techniques that could be used with James are cognitive restructuring and behavioral activation. Cognitive restructuring involves helping James to identify and challenge his negative thoughts. Behavioral activation involves helping James to gradually increase his participation in activities that he enjoys.
Susan
Cognitive issues: Susan is experiencing excessive anxiety. She is worried about a variety of things, including her ability to handle her responsibilities and the well-being of her family. These thoughts are likely contributing to her feelings of anxiety.
Behavioral issues: Susan is avoiding situations that she perceives as being stressful. This avoidance behavior is likely a way of coping with her anxiety.
Counseling goals: The goal of counseling would be to help Susan reduce her anxiety and increase her ability to cope with stress. The therapist would also help Susan to identify and challenge her anxious thoughts.
CBT techniques: Two CBT techniques that could be used with Susan are exposure therapy and cognitive restructuring. Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing Susan to the situations that she fears. Cognitive restructuring involves helping Susan to identify and challenge her anxious thoughts.
Michael
Cognitive issues: Michael is experiencing sadness and anxiety in response to the negative events that he is hearing about in the news. He is catastrophizing about the future and believing that bad things are going to happen to him or his loved ones. These thoughts are likely contributing to his feelings of sadness and anxiety.
Behavioral issues: Michael is avoiding news stories and social media, and he is withdrawing from social activities. These behaviors are likely a way of coping with his negative thoughts and feelings.
Counseling goals: The goal of counseling would be to help Michael reduce his sadness and anxiety, and to increase his ability to cope with negative events. The therapist would also help Michael to challenge his negative thoughts and beliefs.
CBT techniques: Two CBT techniques that could be used with Michael are cognitive restructuring and exposure therapy. Cognitive restructuring involves helping Michael to identify and challenge his negative thoughts. Exposure therapy involves gradually exposing Michael to news stories and social media, and helping him to develop coping skills for dealing with negative emotions.
In addition to the CBT techniques listed above, other techniques that could be used with these clients include:
Problem-solving: This technique can be used to help clients identify and solve problems in their lives.
Behavioral activation: This technique can be used to help clients increase their participation in activities that they enjoy.
Mindfulness: This technique can be used to help clients focus on the present moment and to reduce their emotional reactivity.
CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented therapy that has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of mental health problems. The techniques described above can be used to help clients identify and challenge their negative thoughts and beliefs, and to develop new coping skills.
