Question

Discuss how the cognitive theorists (Kelly, Beck, and Ellis) might respond to this question from a potential client: "I have been a patient of Dr. Steve Smith, who is a psychoanalyst. He feels that I need three years of therapy to explore my defense mechanisms (he said I need to regress back to my childhood repressions, whatever that means). I am feeling depressed, and have even thought of committing suicide. I feel that no matter what I do, I'm just a complete failure. Can you help me, or should I stay with Dr. Smith?"

(INCLUDE WORK CITED AND IN TEXT CITATIONS)

Answer 1

Answer.

Cognitive theorists like Beck, Kelley and Ellis are likely to tell the potential client that her current state of depression is because of her self defeating thoughts and negative beliefs about her own abilities. They are likely to answer her question in a direct manner and emphasise on her own decision about choosing either a psychoanalytic therapist or working with a cognitive therapist, rather than be influenced by others’ ( in this case the therpaist’s choice). Cognitive perspective on psychotherapy such as Beck’s cognitive triad model ( Hollon and Beck, 1994) would be introduced by these cognitive therpaists as an example of introducing their way of working to the potential client. In doing so, they would highlight that cognitive therapy works on challenging the client’s negative thoughts and beliefs which lead to conflicts and difficult feelings like depression and creates a whole circuit of maladaptive behaviours. To this end, thy may tell her that cognitive therapy focuses on the present concerns and worries and the client’s ability to be rational rather than on unconscious desires and defense mechanisms and childhood experiences to address her suicidal thoughts and depressed state.

References:

Hollon, S. D., & Beck, A. T. (1994). Cognitive and cognitive-behavioral therapies. In A. E. Bergin & S.L. Garfield (Eds.), Handbook of psychotherapy and behavior change (pp. 428—466). New York: Wiley.