The video is an outstanding illustration of cognitive behavioral therapy, where the key concepts demonstrated in the video revolve around emotions, thoughts, and behavior, which are disputations and collaborative empiricism (Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 2018). The main objective is to identify the link or relationship between these elements of the human psyche in order to be effectively alter them in order to improve the overall well-being of a client as well as eliminate or reduce the presence of the outlined issues. The video is divided into two distinct sessions, where in the first half, the therapist thoroughly assesses and analyzes the client, and during the second half, the main process is centered around addressing these problems.
The main techniques used in the first half of the video are psychoeducation, three-column technique, problem list, and setting an agenda (“Video 8.1 Cognitive-behavioral therapy,” n.d.). The second half of the session primarily involves collaborative empiricism, psychoeducation, chasing cognitive distortions, double-standard technique, and disputing maladaptive behaviors (“Video 8.1 Cognitive-behavioral therapy,” n.d.). Collaborative empiricism is focused on illuminating or shedding light on maladaptive behaviors, whereas disputation aims to reduce or remove any form of irrationalities that are contributing to the emergence of the problems (Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 2018). The potential outcome is that a client will experience an emotional effect of the disputation and be guided by rational beliefs.
The therapist’s role in the video is to actively engage in a client’s path towards eliminating her problematic behaviors, thoughts, and emotions by thoroughly assessing the client through agenda setting, problem list, three-column technique, and psychoeducation, and replace the identified maladaptive behaviors and irrational beliefs through collaborative empiricism and disputation measures. In other words, a therapist utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy acts as a proactive catalyzer and investigator of the process, where he or she is actively engaged in the session. The therapist gently disputes and reveals the underlying irrationalities of a client’s inner thoughts, which result in emotions, which hinder the correct behavior or promote a maladaptive one.
The treatment plan of the demonstration is focused on identifying the problems through an initial assessment through techniques, such as psychoeducation, three-column technique, problem list, and setting an agenda. The next step revolves around collaborative empiricism, self-instructional strategies, and disputation of one’s irrationalities. In other words, the inner thoughts are assumed to be the source of negative emotions, which promote maladaptive behaviors. Therefore, the plan needs to involve two stages, where a therapist properly analyzes a client, which is followed by restructuring underlying thinking patterns. The goals and objectives are to provide specifically designed psychoeducation for a client, which changes his or her thoughts, which causes a problem.
In my own practice as a clinical and rehabilitation counselor, the key concept that would work best is the disputation of irrationalities in one’s thinking patterns. My approach will be focused on identifying the issues and the thoughts invoking these issues, which are subsequently addressed through in-depth assessment. The goal will be based on providing comprehensive psychoeducation for a client, where he or she will be able to see these irrationalities, which cause his or her maladaptive behaviors. The techniques that will be used on my assessment part of the sessions will be three-column technique, problem list, and setting an agenda, whereas, for the second part, I will use disputation to dispute irrational beliefs.
References
Sommers-Flanagan, J. & Sommers-Flanagan, R. (2018). Counseling and psychotherapy theories in context and practice: Skills, strategies, and techniques (3rd ed.). John Wiley and Sons.
Video 8.1 Cognitive-behavioral therapy [Video]. (n.d.). Web.