Question

Which evidence-based counseling theory best supports the client coping with trauma and other mental health issues? Justify your answer.

Answer 1

What is Evidence-Based Therapy

The evidence-based therapy is a movement in psychology that aims to track the efficacy of treatment plans so that clients only undergo treatments which have been proven to worker.

Definition  :----

' Best Practice’ and ‘preferred’ approaches for psychological symptom treatment ' .

------------------------------------------ Psychotherapy theories provide a framework for therapists and counsellors to interpret a client’s behaviour, thoughts, and feelings and help them navigate a client’s journey from diagnosis to post-treatment.------------------------------------------------

  Types of Counseling theories

1. Psychoanalysis/Psychodynamic Theory
2. Behavioral Theory
3. Cognitive Theory
4. Humanistic Approach
5. Holistic/Integrative Therapy

?Since cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the strongest evidence-based therapies out there, it is important to include a book which discusses CBT specifically.

Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on the relationship among thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and notes how changes in any one domain can improve functioning in the other domains. For example, altering a person’s unhelpful thinking can lead to healthier behaviors and improved emotion regulation.

Social cognitive theory (Bandura) suggests that those who try to incorporate the experience of trauma into existing beliefs about oneself, others, and the world often wind up with unhelpful understandings of their experience and perceptions of control of self or the environment, i.e. coping self-efficacy. Therapists use a variety of techniques to aid patients in reducing symptoms and improving functioning. Therapists employing CBT may encourage patients to re-evaluate their thinking patterns and assumptions in order to identify unhelpful patterns (often termed “distortions”) in thoughts, such as overgeneralizing bad outcomes, negative thinking that diminishes positive thinking, and always expecting catastrophic outcomes, to more balanced and effective thinking patterns. Exposure to the trauma narrative, as well as reminders of the trauma or emotions associated with the trauma, are often used to help the patient reduce avoidance and maladaptive associations with the trauma. Note, this exposure is done in a controlled way, and planned collaboratively by the provider and patient so the patient chooses what they do. The goal is to return a sense of control, self-confidence, and predictability to the patient, and reduce escape and avoidance behaviors.

Education about how trauma can affect the person is quite common as is instruction in various methods to facilitate relaxation. Managing stress and planning for potential crises can also be important components of CBT treatment. The provider, with the patient, has some latitude in selecting which elements of cognitive behavioral therapy are likely to be most effective with any particular individual.

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