Briefly Outline the Key Features of a Cognitive-Behavioural Approach to Counselling
Briefly outline the key features of a cognitive-behavioural approach to counselling and discuss some of the ways in which this approach differs from one of the other main approaches to counselling. In part two reflect on and write about which of the two approaches discussed in your essay you prefer and why.
This essay will explain key aspects of a cognitive-behavioural approach to counselling. Revealing how this method of counselling differs from the psychodynamic approach, and demonstrating my preferred method.
The first of these approaches ‘Cognitive-behavioural’ is an umbrella term for a method of counselling comprising several approaches. It evolved from behavioural psychology founded by J.B Watson; an American psychology professor whose 1919 publication entitled Psychology from the standpoint of a Behaviourist largely influenced this approach. (McLeod (2008) p.132)
The first basic premise to cognitive-behavioural counselling involves client and counsellor collaborating, breaking problems down into individual parts, examining, modifying and changing them for a successful outcome.
The second is the value of a scientific approach. Just as scientists employ hypotheses, experimentation and evaluation in their work; the cognitive-behavioural counsellor does the same. This is demonstrated in the counsellors’ constant observation and evaluation of change in clients.
The third is closely monitoring the cognitive process through which people observe and control their behaviour. (McLeod 2008 p132)
The aim of Cognitive-behavioural counselling is to empower clients to recognise irrational thoughts, modify feelings and behaviour by changing thought processes. The Client aims to focus on specific goals but thinks in an illogical fashion, producing detrimental emotions.
The connection between thought and behaviour are the epicentre of this approach; the founder of Cognitive therapy; Beck, concluded; observing how patients viewed themselves was more important than
This essay will explain key aspects of a cognitive-behavioural approach to counselling. Revealing how this method of counselling differs from the psychodynamic approach, and demonstrating my preferred method.
The first of these approaches ‘Cognitive-behavioural’ is an umbrella term for a method of counselling comprising several approaches. It evolved from behavioural psychology founded by J.B Watson; an American psychology professor whose 1919 publication entitled Psychology from the standpoint of a Behaviourist largely influenced this approach. (McLeod (2008) p.132)
The first basic premise to cognitive-behavioural counselling involves client and counsellor collaborating, breaking problems down into individual parts, examining, modifying and changing them for a successful outcome.
The second is the value of a scientific approach. Just as scientists employ hypotheses, experimentation and evaluation in their work; the cognitive-behavioural counsellor does the same. This is demonstrated in the counsellors’ constant observation and evaluation of change in clients.
The third is closely monitoring the cognitive process through which people observe and control their behaviour. (McLeod 2008 p132)
The aim of Cognitive-behavioural counselling is to empower clients to recognise irrational thoughts, modify feelings and behaviour by changing thought processes. The Client aims to focus on specific goals but thinks in an illogical fashion, producing detrimental emotions.
The connection between thought and behaviour are the epicentre of this approach; the founder of Cognitive therapy; Beck, concluded; observing how patients viewed themselves was more important than
References: McLeod, J. (2008) Introduction to counselling [Ed. D. Langridge], Maidenhead/Milton Keynes, Open University Press/The Open University. Introduction to counselling, ibid, p.132 Introduction to counselling, ibid, p.143 Introduction to counselling, ibid, p.130 Introduction to counselling, ibid, pp. 96 to 97 Self-evaluation The parts of the material I feel I have gotten to grips with best are the summaries and appraisals at the end of the chapters of the course book, as they are a good reminder and great clarification for anything that I might not have understood at a first read. I have found the book very deep and overly detailed in places which can sometimes confuse me. I may need help on TMA 2. I would have preferred one or two tutorials too.