CBT and Multi Cultural Influence

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in contrast to many early(a) redress frame schools has both an explicit rationale and an empirically demonstrable victor rate. In addition to the wealth of published case histories in that respect argon a plethora of controlled studies attesting to the efficacy of CBT interventions with an equally diverse range of mental and behavioral conditions. (Emmelkamp et al 1992). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that aims to admirer a person manage their problems by changing how they count and act.It is a problem solving set out which recognizes that lymph glands picture at a behavioral b some other(a) rather than that they atomic number 18 a behavioral problem. It encourages them to talk close to how they think in relation to themselves, the world, other masses and how what they do affects their thoughts and feelings. CBT shag foster to change how a person thinks (cognitive) and what they do (behavior), and then fosteri ng them to manage difficulties and feel snap off intimately life.Unlike most psychotherapies which only work with talk and reflections, CBT regards behavioral acts as primary. Treatment involves guests kind in personal behavioral experiments, practice session makes perfect. For many behaviorally based problems much(prenominal) as phobias obsessive compulsive disorder bulimia and the like there simply is no substitute for this right smart of working. Direct behavioral inhabit is a dear deal the most efficient medium for articulating change.Action, that is, some quantify speaks far louder than words. To bring in fully from CBT, clients need to be committed to the process, maintain any prep agreed such(prenominal) as keeping a diary or undertaking experiments/challenges jointly agreed and/or decided upon between client and counsellor. It can religious service the client make sense of overwhelming problems by breaking them down into smaller portions. The outcomes of home work are reviewed and feelings discussed at to each one subsequent session.Most importantly CBT is a collaborative and empowering process in which the client is an active participant. Autonomy respect for the clients proper(a) to be self-governing BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling & Psychotherapy. A principal goal of this collaborative process is to help clients effectively define problems and gain skills in managing these problems. As in other therapies, CBT likewise uses other elements of the therapeutic relationship, such as rapport, genuineness, understanding, and empathy.The number of sessions undeniable varies greatly depending on the presenting issues/problems and objectives, sessions usually lasting from anywhere between sextuplet weeks to six months. The client is helped to see how their thoughts and behavior relate to the way they feel, how this cogency contri alonee to the problems being experienced and that it is not the situation itself makin g them unhappy, but how they think about and react to it. CBT can help clients find ways to change thought patterns and behavior and to solve problems and anxieties pause, but it cannot remove the problems.The skills learnt inside CBT are useful, practical and helpful strategies that once learnt can be incarnate into an individuals life to help them handle difficult situations better when future separate outes and difficulties arise. stock-still there is always a risk that the swingeing feelings associated with the clients problem return, but with CBT skills it should be easier for them to control these. Even after the client is feeling better and sessions commit ended, it is important to emphasis the need to practice the skills acquired.CBT focuses on the individuals capacity to change themselves their thoughts, feelings and behaviors it can help to manage problems, such as anxiety and depression, so they are less(prenominal) likely to have a negative jar on their life. How ever because of its incorporated nature, it may not be suitable for people who have more complex mental health needs or skill difficulties. Some critics argue that because the therapy only addresses current problems and focuses on very peculiar(a)(prenominal) issues, it does not address the possible underlying causes of mental health conditions, such as an unhappy childhood.Neither does it address wider problems in systems or families that often have a significant impact on an individuals health and well-being. Research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be as successful as medicine in treating many types of depression and other mental health disorders it can be completed in a relatively short time compared with other talking therapies and because it is highly structured, CBT can be provided in a number of different formats such as through computer programs, groups and self-help books.Some research suggests that CBT may be better than antidepressants at preven ting the return of depression. It is thought to be one of the most effective treatments for anxiety and depression. When considering the significance and use of Cognitive Behavior Therapy in spite of appearance therapeutic practice (as with any other modality used) it is necessary to consider the impact/context within straight offs multi- heathen society. Awareness of Multiculturalism provides a fourth dimension to the ternary traditional helping orientations psychodynamic, existential-humanistic and cognitive.All learning occurs and identities are formed within a persons cultural context. Cultural identity is dynamic and ever changing in todays society. Understanding the cultural and socio-political context of a clients behavior is inseparable to accurate assessment, interpretation and treatment. It is imperative as counsellors to have and maintain change magnitude self-awareness, as an essential starting point in developing multicultural competence.The appropriate applicati on of skills in multicultural settings depends on both cultural awareness and relevant knowledge of the counsellor. it is incumbent upon the individual practitioner to be knowledgeable about his or her own multicultural reality in order to use that information effectively in work with clients of sundry(a) ethnicities, genders, ages, socioeconomic classes, religions, sexual orientation, differing abilities, and with those who use different languages Baldwin 2nd ed (2000 pg 167)Recognizing the greatness of the many variables within modern day society such as, ethnicity, nationality, religion, variables such as age, gender and place of residence status variables such as social, educational and economic, and affiliations including both formal affiliations to organizations or families and informal affiliations to ideas and a modus vivendi is essential to the effectiveness of any counselling therapy. It takes a olistic and intuitive approach to work within todays multi-cultural society, respecting that each person has many different nicetys or identities with each identity becoming relevant at different times and places. One example worthy of consideration is metaphors, clients often use metaphors within therapy, recognizing that metaphors are and can be culturally bound and reflective of particular values, for example time is money, is an important consideration when working with clients.Implicit in their use are models of perception, thus the phrase things are looking up not only conveys the message that things are improving but also reflects the idea that up is good. The identification of the color black with bad things is oft used metaphorically, in a way which reflects and reinforces the negative connotation inclined to all people and things black. The power of metaphors derives from the models which they provide for understanding, thinking and communicating about the world.Multiculturalism emphasizes both the way we are different from and similar to other people and is a situation in which all the different cultural or racial groups in a society have equal rights and opportunities, and none is ignored or regarded as unimportant. Thus avoiding discrimination, whilst also appreciating the difference and salmagundi between people. Justice the fair and impartial treatment of all clients and the provide of adequate services BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling & Psychotherapy.Culture provides an adult/child with a particular way of look at the world, thus emphasizing some tendencies to the development of schemas and or rules and assumptions. In some countries the culture is still quite autocratic and mannish dominated, therefore leading to ideas about the importance of men, yet others are characterized as competitive and or oppressive. All these factors will affect a clients nature and ways of functioning. As we become more of a multi-cultural society culture becomes an even greater factor in the therapeutic relatio nship today and worthy of much care and consideration.According to Beck et al. (1979) clients tend to suffer from a cognitive triad of negative beliefs, which includes negative beliefs about themselves, the world in general and their future. Beck also outlines three more components of his theory of depression, including willing thoughts, schemas and transparent errors. Margaret Hough 2nd ed (2002 pg,139) A central focus of Becks work with clients is to helping them change their faulty cognitions, including expectations and beliefs, by enlisting the clients participation as a colleague and equal rather than one of superior (counsellor) and low-level (client).The counsellors role is that of teacher and a role model of positive effectual behavior, rather than that of expert, therefore this approach should work well when working with muti-cultural cliental and because of the structured nature of CBT it is a positive approach that bares tangible effective try out to encourage a clie nt to tackle the presenting problem. Although CBT does not look specifically at a clients past it does help a client to look more realistically at their outdated beliefs or schemas ( I am unloveable or I am worthless) often errors in thinking picked up in childhood and early life.As counsellors/therapists it is however necessary to have in ones mind and consider client ethnicity during the various phases of therapy, however typically I believe if we are to maintain equality, we do not directly need to address ethnicity or ethnic differences in therapy sessions unless it is clearly part of the presenting problem, but maintaining an awareness to a persons ethnic origin and differences is essential for good practice.That said, this modality (CBT) would also be highly useful in foreground not only unchallenged beliefs and or rules, (typically rigid over inclusive, unsufferable to attain) but cultural differences, logical errors in thinking picked up in early life that no longer benefi t or jut the clients desired way of functioning. Because the approach is directive and highly structured it involves petition clients detailed and specific questions about their current feelings, whilst also identifying any automatic thoughts, thus enabling them in becoming ware of how they think about a problem, how it affects them physically and or emotionally and what they can do to garble the outcome. When a client see the sequence clearly change is possible. By encouraging the client to look at particular situations that disturb or upset them important information is elicited so that problems can be clarified from the beginning of therapy with objectives being set accordingly. The highly active, directive and educational nature of cognitive behavior therapy serves to show clients how they disturb themselves and what they can do to change attitudes and or beliefs for themselves that no longer work.When clients become aware that they are able change themselves feelings of empo werment become evident and rapid build is made. CBT is, as previously mentioned time limited and because of this clients develop a expressed sense of purpose and awareness relating to their progress, coping strategies and developing self-help skills. Curwen et al (2000) stress the importance of empathy in the relationship, Margaret Hough 2nd ed (2002) this is essential to building consider and a genuine rapport given that the work could be extremely challenging.