Assignment 4.1
On page 195 of your textbook, Do assignment L03, #2–> Calculating Debt Safety Ratio. Use Attached Excel File.
Inventory of Consumer Debt.xls Inventory of Consumer Debt.xls
Assignment 4.2
On page 225 of your textbook, Do assignment L02, 3,4 #1–> Deciding if Additional Life Insurance is Needed. Answer the questions and use the attached Excel File.
use the attached Excel File.
Life Insurance Needs Analysis.xls Life Insurance Needs Analysis.xls
Theory Paper: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
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Theory Paper: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Theoretical orientation refers to a set of preferences or assumptions that provides counselors and clinicians with a specific framework for understanding the needs of their clients. Generally, the theoretical orientation taken when dealing with clients should be customized because clients have different problems that require different approaches (Jaimes et al., 2015). My theoretical orientation is cognitive-behavioral therapy which according to Rajaei et al. (2019) is based on the idea that an individual’s behaviors and emotions are directly associated with their thought patterns. Negative thought patterns result in negative behavior, while positive and adaptive thoughts lead to positive actions. The purpose of this paper is to assess how cognitive therapy articulates the basic view of human nature, factors that account for behavior change, interventions, the conceptualization of mental health, and factors associated with healthy family relationships. The paper will also examine skills required to provide cognitive therapy, the nature of the professional relationship based on cognitive therapy, and provide evidence that supports cognitive therapy as an intervention for both families and couples.
The Basic View of Human Nature as seen Through Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapy views humans as people who can be both irrational and rational since they are highly prone to erroneous thoughts that influence their actions. The cognitive processes among humans can be known and accessed through self-reflection. The main cause of anxiety and poor mental health among humans is irrational thinking and cognitive distortions. When people experience psychological distress, they are unable to interpret situations effectively and this negatively impacts their choice of actions. Generally, our thoughts affect our perceptions about reality and consequently, the reactions we have towards that reality. Cognitive therapy also holds that it is possible to change or modify cognitions in a manner that promotes more rational and balanced thought patterns that enhance functionality and adaptability. Such changes can be brought about by engaging with a therapist through cognitive therapy approaches (Ruggiero et al., 2018).
Key factors that account for changes in behavior
The main factors that account for behavior change in cognitive therapy include a change in erroneous or maladaptive thought patterns that lead to negative decisions and psychological distress. The main purpose of cognitive therapy is to work with clients and help them understand their thoughts and behavioral patterns and equip them with appropriate tools to change any maladaptive patterns (David et al., 2018).
How Intervention Strategies are designed in Cognitive Therapy
The main focus of intervention strategies in cognitive therapy is the current problems that affect a client and ways that will improve their state of mind. The interventions are designed in a manner that targets maladaptive thoughts. For instance, cognitive restructuring is an intervention where the therapist helps the client to identify negative patterns in their thought processes when faced with certain situations in a manner that creates awareness of those patterns. The intervention also focuses on reframing those negative thoughts into productive and positive ones. Another intervention is guided discovery where the therapist focuses on acquainting themselves with the client’s viewpoint and guides him or her through a process that challenges core beliefs and promotes broader thinking. Therapists use Socratic questioning, a questioning method that guides clients to conclude without explicitly telling them what they should conclude. In therapy, the questions focus on probing the assumptions held by a client including the evidence and reasons for specific beliefs. Therapists can also help clients deal with negative thought patterns by asking them to keep a daily journal of any positive and more adaptive schema. Clients can also be asked to write down any negative thoughts which occur to them and positive options they could choose instead. Daily journals help clients track their progress as they develop positive thoughts and behavior patterns (Fenn & Byrne, 2013).
Interventions in cognitive therapy are also designed to promote relaxation which reduces negative symptoms such as anxiety and promotes better control over one’s thoughts and behaviors. Examples of relaxation strategies include deep breathing exercises and muscle relaxation. These strategies are effective among clients with social anxiety, phobias, and posttraumatic stress disorder (Gudenkauf et al., 2015). Cognitive therapy interventions also focus on identifying triggers that lead to anxiety especially among people with posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and different phobias. Exposure therapy is an example of an intervention that involves exposing clients to their fears in a controlled environment where they can find healthy ways of dealing with them (Hofmann, 2014).
Mental Health Conceptualization
In cognitive therapy, people are viewed as healthy when their negative thought patterns do not influence their actions or functioning. Positive mental health is associated with emotional regulation hence cognitive therapy can be used to treat a range of mental disorders associated with maladaptive thought patterns and poor emotional regulation. These disorders include eating disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, and bipolar disorders. Cognitive therapy also helps therapists to understand that although people may have similar diagnoses, mental health issues are maintained by different situations and factors that vary on a personal level. Therefore, to promote good mental health, it is important to target specific issues among clients instead of using generalized intervention strategies (Hofmann, 2014).
Key factors that contribute to healthy family/couple relationships
Bowen’s family system theory emphasizes the idea that family members are interconnected and their behaviors influence each other. Therefore, healthy relationships in families are based on positive interactions among the members and are characterized by mutual respect, individuality, proper communication, trust, and honesty. Mutual respect entails valuing each other and creating healthy boundaries. Individuality means that every member of the family can genuinely be who they are without basing their identities on their partners or other family members. Effective communication means being open and honest regarding one’s feelings and seeking each other’s perspectives before making major decisions. Healthy family relationships are also determined by the level of cohesiveness within the family. Cohesion refers to the emotional bonding that exists among family members that promote positive interactions and a healthy balance between individuality and family togetherness. Other factors such as parental resilience, positive attachment, and nurturing among parents and children also have a positive impact on family relationships (Cannon & Murray, 2019). Couple relationships can be best understood using Gottman’s theory which posits that all couples experience negative interactions and conflict. Gottman viewed healthy couple relationships as those that include effective conflict management, honest communication, sharing admiration and fondness, complete awareness of each other’s inner self, creating shared meaning, trust, commitment, and learning to view each other positively (Rajaei et al., 2019).
In cognitive therapy, characteristics of healthy family and couple relationships and similar to those described under Gottman and Bowen’s theories including communication, effective conflict management, and problem-solving. Cognitive distortions among families and couples may include setting unrealistic standards about each other, having inaccurate expectations of the future, possessing inaccurate perceptions about relationships, and distorted beliefs regarding relational issues and how they should be solved. The main focus of therapy is to change these distortions and encourage communication, positive emotions, thoughts, and interactions among family members. Other benefits of cognitive therapy in relationships include finding healthy ways of solving conflicts and problems, improved family dynamics, and better cohesion (Soylemez, 2017).
Skills necessary within cognitive therapy to meet the agreed-upon goals and outcomes for couples and families
Cognitive-behavioral therapists must be able to take practical, solution-focused approaches when working with couples and families. To successfully implement these approaches, there are various competencies required. Cognitive therapists must possess various skills including goal-setting skills and the ability to identify maladaptive beliefs and thoughts that negatively impact couple and family interactions. Therapists must also possess collaborative skills that make it easier to work with couples and families to achieve specific goals. Collaborative skills include the ability to engage in active listening, communicate clearly with clients, and work with them to set goals and find effective interventions that will lead to positive outcomes. Effective communication skills help to build trust with family members and encourage openness and honesty in the therapeutic relationship. Cognitive therapists must also be able to link cognition, affect, and behavior when engaging with clients and must possess adequate problem-solving skills to determine the most effective solutions based on the clients’ needs. Furthermore, the ability to challenge maladaptive beliefs and thoughts is essential in family practice. This includes possessing skills necessary to teach family members how they can change any negative behavior.
Cognitive therapists must also be able to implement relaxation techniques to alleviate worry and tension. Additionally, conflict resolution skills are essential especially when mediating conflict among family members. Therapists should also be able to instruct and lead families throughout the therapy process.
The nature of the practitioner-client relationship and its relative importance
In therapy sessions, the most basic factor that influences continuity and effective outcomes are the practitioner-client relationship which refers to the connection between the client and therapist. This relationship is necessary for cognitive therapy, a theoretical approach that relies on collaboration and communication between the therapist and the client. Collaboration in cognitive therapy entails sourcing accurate information from the client, soliciting the client to be fully involved in goal setting and decision making, and seeking honest feedback from the client after sessions. With time, the purpose of collaboration shifts to giving the client more control over the therapy process. This strategy reduces any resistance that clients may have towards making life changes by eliminating patronization. Notably, it may be harder to collaborate with clients and families with persistent relational problems and in such cases, the therapist should consider client beliefs regarding therapy and case formulation. In the first sessions, the therapist should assess the thoughts that each family member has about therapy to identify any dysfunctional thoughts that should be altered or changed. This strategy will help build trust by encouraging effective communication and connection with the client. Effective cognitive therapists focus on modeling positive attitudes and focus on managing and resolving any form of distress that may arise. Therapists must also constantly assess the therapeutic relationship to determine if the client’s words and actions shape their behavior and take proactive actions that enhance the functionality of their interactions (Okamoto et al., 2019).
The therapeutic relationship influences the ability of the therapist to implement different techniques during therapy. For instance, this relationship is essential when assessing maladaptive thought patterns since it creates an environment characterized by trust and openness. The relationship is also essential when implementing strategies such as cognitive restructuring and guided restructuring. Other therapeutic characteristics such as genuineness, empathy, and warmth also influence the success of cognitive therapy interventions. Cognitive therapy emphasizes the importance of tasks such as solving problems and behavioral activation and also uses structured sessions. An effective therapeutic relationship encourages client involvement throughout the sessions which in turn promotes better outcomes (Easterbrook & Meehan, 2017).
Evidence Supporting Cognitive Therapy for Families and Couples
Research evidence supports the use of cognitive therapy for couples and families in solving both conflicts and dealing with mental disorders among family members. Veshki et al. (2016) examined the use of cognitive therapy in treating couples dealing with conflict and relationship distress. Using a quasi-experimental design, the study determined that cognitive therapy can promote effective conflict resolution and enhance communication and problem-solving skills among couples. Duraes et al. (2020) also examined the use of cognitive therapy to solve marital conflict through improved interaction skills, constructive communication, and thought and behavioral modification. Duraes et al. (2020) determined that cognitive therapy can help improve marital social skills and alleviate negative symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Shayan et al. (2018) conducted a randomized control trial to assess the efficacy of cognitive therapy on marital quality and determined that providing cognitive-behavioral counseling improves marriage stability and consequently, marital quality. Le Grange et al. (2016) conducted a randomized clinical trial that examined the use of family cognitive therapy as a treatment for teenagers with eating disorders. The study determined that cognitive therapy effectively changes negative thought patterns associated with eating disorders and encourages family members to provide support to teenagers with these disorders which translates to positive outcomes.
Conclusion
Cognitive therapy is a theoretical orientation that focuses on the link between thoughts and behavior patterns. Negative or maladaptive thoughts are likely to result in negative behavior. Cognitive therapists work with clients to eliminate or change distorted or maladaptive thoughts and replace them with positive ones. Apart from individual therapy, cognitive therapy can be applied to both individuals and families to promote better communication and positive interactions. Cognitive therapy promotes good mental health using techniques such as cognitive restructuring and guided discovery which promote positive thoughts and actions. The therapeutic relationship is a significant component of cognitive therapy that enhances collaboration between therapists and clients. This relationship is characterized by trust, genuineness, and openness and encourages client participation in therapy sessions. Therapists must also demonstrate empathy to promote positive client outcomes. Research evidence illustrates that cognitive therapy not only helps solve couple and family conflicts but also promotes better family interactions, enhances cohesion, and encourages members to support each other when faced with various problems. Therefore, cognitive therapy should always be considered when working with couples and families.
References
Cannon, J., & Murray, C. (2019). Promoting Healthy Relationships and Families: An Exploratory Study of the Perceptions of Resources and Information and Skill Needs Among Couples, Single Adults, and Parents. The Family Journal, 27(3), 309-318. https://doi.org/10.1177/1066480719852357
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Shayan, A., Taravati, M., Garousian, M., Babakhani, N., Faradmal, J., & Masoumi, S. Z. (2018). The Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Marital Quality among Women. International journal of fertility & sterility, 12(2), 99–105. https://doi.org/10.22074/ijfs.2018.5257
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Veshki, S., Shafiabady, A., Farzad, V., & Fatehizade, M. (2016). A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive – Behavioral Couple Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Couple Therapy in the Couple’s Conflict in the City of Isfahan. Jundishapur Journal Of Health Sciences. https://doi.org/10.17795/jjhs-43085