Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive therapy was developed by Aaron T. Beck and it focuses on changing the way people think. The cognitive therapist focuses on unrealistic beliefs and distorted thinking as the basis of maladaptive behavior. It is the belief that dysfunctional thinking leads to dysfunctional behaviors. By changing one's thought, cognitive therapists believe that it will ultimately change their action. Cognitive therapists first identify the irrational belief through initial talks. The therapist then begins a process of asking questions about the belief. Cognitive therapy is also seen as a method of incorporating critical thinking into one's own thoughts and beliefs. The different methods of cognitive therapy include cognitive-behavioral therapy and rational …show more content…
The humanistic approach involves emphasis on a person's capacity to make rational decisions and achieve their maximum potential. It emphasizes the importance of individuals' choices and the potential to change such behavior. The two most common therapy styles used in the perspective of humanism are the Carl Rogers's person-centered therapy and Fritz Perls's Gestalt therapy. The goal of the therapist in the person-centered therapy was to provide authenticity, unconditional positive regard, and empathy to the client. Unconditional positive response is crucial in a person's life. This will fill in any potentially absent unconditional positive regard in the client's life and will motivate them to recognize their ideal and real selves. The client is responsible for all the work as the therapist only encourages the client to take action. Gestalt therapy emphasizes the importance of matching the inner self with the "mask" of socially acceptable behavior. It emphasizes the importance of the present and accepting responsibility for yourself. Person-centered therapy differs from Gestalt in that person-centered therapy is nondirective while Gestalt is very directive. Person-centered therapy is more reliant on the client talking out his or her problems and coming to the realization of insight. Gestalt therapy includes therapists directly stating the problems the clients …show more content…
The abnormal behavior is seen as the root of the problem. According to behavior therapy, learning created the problem and new, appropriate learning can fix it. The two methods of behavior therapy are split into classical conditioning and operant conditional. Classical conditioning includes systematic desensitization and aversion therapy while operant conditioning includes modeling, using reinforcement, and using extinction. Systematic desensitization involves a three step process which is used to reduce fear and anxiety. The client faces the object that is causing the most fear and confronts it in a relaxed state until the phobia is gone. Aversion therapy includes teaching the client to pair an unpleasant stimulus with the stimulus that creates an undesirable response. Modeling involves learning through the observation and emulation of a model. The client may observe someone who is partaking in the activity he or she finds fearful and gradually works at copying the model. Using reinforcement is an effective method in operant conditioning because it can form the basis of treatment of people with behavioral problems. Extinction is another method in operant conditioning which involves removing a reinforcer to reduce the frequency of a response. This often results in removing one's attention when they are engaging in undesirable

Show More