Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

“Evidence-based treatment is any practice that has been established as effective through scientific research according to a set of explicit criteria. These are interventions that [can] consistently produce improved client outcomes” (Social Work Policy Institute, 2008 para. 3). Evidence-based treatment can effectively be combined with clinical experience, ethics, client preference and culture in order to guide and inform the delivery of treatment, services and the success rate of a client. Some states, government agencies, and payers have endorsed certain specific evidence-based treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or more specifically Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) for children and adults, which is used to address both emotional …show more content…
1202-1203). When left untreated the effects of trauma become chronic affecting the individual into adulthood (Cohen et al, 2000). In most cases, therapist use motivational interviewing (MI), problem-solving therapy (PST) and cognitive behavioral therapy to work with clients, specifically those who suffer from substance abuse and engage in acting out behaviors. These current practices of intervening are particularly true when examining North County Serenity House (NCSH) and Advance Behavioral Center’s approach when working with clients. Nonetheless, “there is growing evidence for the efficacy of TF- CBT in decreasing a variety of trauma-related symptoms” and suggests that TF- CBT is relatively effective when conducted individually or in group setting (Cohen et al., 2000, p. 1217). It is also important to note that TF-CBT is often modified in order to treat traumatized children, adults, as well as non-traumatized children who have symptoms similar to those seen in traumatized children, that is, anxiety or depressive …show more content…
This means that a therapist or clinician can conduct a Trauma Focused CBT session on a one on one basis. This ensures that the client has the freedom to accurately process his or her feelings without fearing judgment from others. Additionally, the client will be able to concentrate on the session without interruptions from other group members. Nonetheless, TF- CBT can be conducted in a group if the entire group has a related trauma, for instance, all were sexual abuse survivors or substance abuser. At NCSH process groups, like phases in relapse, help clients identify irrational thoughts, actions, and feeling while addressing traumatic grief or stress that can often lead to relapse. Specifically, triangle diagrams can be used during an individual or group sessions. Overall, this provides clients with a visual representation of thoughts, feeling and behaviors and how all are interconnected (i.e. influence one another). This is extremely useful if the client is a visual learner. In addition, it provides the client with something concrete that they can take and review at his or her

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