Mental health practices are grounded in theories, frameworks that provide a focus for how to conceptualize problems, communicate causal variables, and devise and implement therapeutic solutions. Behaviorism, psychodynamics, cognitive psychology, and humanistic approaches are often considered distinct from one another but can in some cases be integrated into unifying frameworks for mental health counseling. Whereas basic behaviorism sometimes discounted a client’s emotional state, cognitive-behavioral theories offer an ideal opportunity to investigate how a person’s dysfunctional thought patterns cause unwanted behaviors. Counselors can use cognitive-behavioral theory to offer clients solution-focused outcomes and strategic interventions.
Cognitive-behavioral theory may not be effective for treating serious psychiatric conditions like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, which typically require medication interventions (Johnsen & Friborg, 2015). However, cognitive-behavioral therapies can supplement other types of interventions to allow a client to develop effective coping mechanisms. Cognitive-behavioral therapies are especially helpful for describing, explaining, and predicting mental health disorders with behavioral components like addiction and eating disorders (Fairburn, Cooper & Shafran, 2003). The cognitive-behavioral theoretical foundation shows how thought patterns, biases, attitudes, and beliefs impact self-concept, attitudes towards others, and the ability to cope with stress.
By helping the client understand the connection between thought, feeling, and behavior, the counselor can provide targeted and systematic solutions that begin with identifying the root causes of the faulty beliefs and proceed towards achieving the treatment goals. Cognitive-behavioral theories are multifaceted, taking into account the tenets of behaviorism like conditioning, but also the principles of cognitive science like schemas. Counselors can use cognitive-behavioral theory to guide their clinical practice, conceptualizing evidence-based solutions for clients.
References
Fairburn, C.G., Cooper, Z. & Shafran, R. (2003). Cognitive behavior therapy for eating disorders. Behavior Research and Therapy 41(5): 509-528.
Johnsen, T.J. & Friborg, O. (2015). The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy as an anti-depressive treatment is falling: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 141(4), 747-768.
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