The purpose of this paper is to describe a particular theory of counseling or psychotherapy and express my views on its potential and actual effect on my life and career. The approach I have chosen is the cognitive-behavioral theory, which is the basis for cognitive behavioral therapy. Its central idea is that people’s feelings, thoughts, and actions are affected by their perception of the things and events they observe. It states that these things are interconnected, and in many cases, form a vicious cycle.
When the theory is applied to help those who suffer from anxiety, depression, and a slew of other mental disorders, the therapist assists the patient in finding and solving problems that slowly corrode their life. In addition to addressing external factors, cognitive behavioral therapy can teach people to react to things in a different way. The advocates of this theory suggest that different people may see the same situation as positive or negative, depending on their state of mind. If someone perceives an event as negative, they will base their future actions on that judgment, thus creating a self-repeating pattern.
This theory appeals to me because its core ideas are quite simple yet highly effective. I admire its approach of solving problems that exist in the present, rather than attempting to discern what past event may have caused the issue. My opinion on the theory is also improved by the fact that it can be explained in a way that anyone can understand easily. This makes it accessible not only to psychological workers but to anybody interested in improving their mental health.
The cognitive-behavioral theory has a wide range of advantages that are relevant both to professionals and enthusiasts. First is the fact that CBT has been observed to be similar in effectiveness to medication in treating several mental illnesses. In addition to allowing to help some patients without the need to use pills, it can be used in conjunction with a prescription in more severe cases. CBT’s direct approach to changing one’s mindset also means that results can be achieved quicker than with other talking therapies. Moreover, the method is extremely adaptable, and can be used by different people and taught through various means, such as books or applications. Finally, the skills CBT teaches patients are applicable to many routine situations and are guaranteed to be of some use.
One of the main disadvantages of CBT is that unlike other theories, it only focuses on the current problems and cannot uncover underlying issues that might stem from the person’s childhood or a disruptive environment. CBT is also known to be a very intensive process, which may not fit some people’s lifestyles. Unlike other more passive therapies, CBT requires the patient to commit and put effort into their treatment, and not everyone is willing and able to do that. In addition, the time needed to succeed with CBT is more than the length of the therapy sessions. The subject has to devote extra hours to training the skills they have learned and applying them. Moreover, CBT will make people suffering from anxiety confront their fears, which is likely to cause them to feel more uncomfortable for some time and may result in them stopping treatment. Finally, while CBT works well for most people, in more complex cases, its simple structure might not be able to accommodate the patient’s needs.
This theory applies to me regardless of the career I choose. First, it is beneficial no know for personal use, as there are many situations in which it could help make a better decision. Most events can be viewed from two sides, and it is vital to adequately judge the current state of things and avoid negative suspicions that lack ground. These guidelines are especially crucial when working with people you have not met before or do not know very well. I can imagine that as a teacher, I would sometimes be surprised by the actions of my students. They tend to come from different backgrounds, and their thought process is a mystery to me, so I should not be disturbed by their behavior, even if I cannot understand it. Instead, it would be helpful for me to able to find a rational reason for their attitude and respond appropriately.
The theory is possibly even more helpful for use in my private life than for work. I happen to be a person who intermittently experiences mild anxiety, and sees problems where there are none. The cognitive behavior theory reminds me to always seek a factual explanation of the opinions I form. When interacting with friends, occasionally, someone would do something I do not understand. It is not rare for me to regard that as a sign that the person dislikes my behavior or me. However, when I analyze the recent events, I realize that I have misjudged the situation, and my friend never meant to offend me. Doing so continuously helps me better understand the people around me and build stronger relationships.