Psychological Practice Theories And Cognitive-behavioural Therapy For Mrs. Leah Smith

(1) Identify a practice theory which they think is relevant to this particular case study. Students must use one of the four practice theories explored in the text (psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, post-modern or humanistic). Briefly outline the practice theory and argue its relevance to this particular case study.

(2) Identify a brief treatment/therapy which emerges from your chosen practice theory. Briefly outline the brief treatment/therapy, and argue its relevance to this particular case study.

(3) Describe how you would apply this brief treatment/therapy in this particular case. What are the particular strategies and techniques that you would use in this case, and how would you apply them in practice?

Practice theory

Social and psychological theorists have raised several psychological and social theories, for understanding and dealing with social and psychological issues. These theories provide the framework for working with individuals, who are suffering from several social or psychological issues (McNulty & Fincham, 2012). There are several psychological practice theories, which are helpful in psychological and social practice. These practice theories include psychodynamic theory, cognitive behavioural theory, postmodern theory and humanistic theory.  The report is concerned about the case of a 33 years old female, Leah, suffering from some psychological and social issues, which would be analyzed in context of one of the theories demonstrated above and therapeutic interventions would be implemented accordingly.

Among several psycho-social practice theories, psychodynamic theory, cognitive theory, postmodern theory and humanistic theories are important and usually implemented in social and psychological issues. The psychodynamic theory is one of the mostly used psychological theoretical perspectives, this perspective considers conscious and unconscious status of mind, desires and beliefs at each of these mind status to demonstrate the psychological issues and behaviour issues, a person is experiencing. On the other hand, cognitive behavioural therapy is another theoretical framework that has achieved huge success in several previous researches (Beck, 2011). This theory has concentrated more on modifying the behavioural attributes, which are causing disrupted psychological issues. On the other hand, postmodern theory is referred to a philosophical proposal, which depicts that reality is ultimately inaccessible by human investigation; thereby representing that knowledge is a social construction. Therefore, this theory views reality as what people or social groups want to make it. In contrast, humanistic theory entirely focuses upon the person, from a holistic perspective.

In this report, in the context of the above mentioned psychological theories, a 33 years old female, Leah Smith have been focused, who have came to a community care service centre, as she thinks that she is unable to carry on her marriage with his husband John. For the case of Mrs. Smith, cognitive behavioural theory has been revealed to be the most effective. Mrs. Smith have revealed several times that she is undergoing some mood swing and frequently becomes irresistant or anxious, which she cannot control in any means, ultimately leads to a fight with his husband and inappropriate behaviour with her children (Kaplan, 2013). As the case significantly identified a behavioural issue for Mrs. Smith and his husband, the cognitive behavioural approach will be the most suitable one to deal with her case.

Therapy for Leah

Cognitive-behavioural theories are the best conceptualized theory, which have significantly evolved from the clinical, experiences, theoretical experiences and previous evidences on behavioural and cognitive psychological approaches. The cognitive-behavioural therapies focus on modifying the behavioural attributes causing the psychological issue by impairing normal cognition (Hofmann et al., 2012). The hyphenated term "cognitive-behavioural" reflects the importance of both behavioural and cognitive approaches to understanding and helping human beings. These theoretical constructs provide significant flexibility in the treatment targets along with the intervention processes through sharing a fundamental emphasis on the importance of cognitive work as a mediator of behavioural change. In addition, this theory supports consideration of the person’s situation from a holistic perspective. According to the Cognitive-behavioural theory, cognition plays an important role in behaviour change. Moreover, the theory identified that thought process or cognition plays a significant role in shaping a person’s behaviour, by eliminating the negative beliefs or thoughts, which is making it difficult for the client to make positive behavioural change.

The cognitive behavioural therapy or interventions combine behavioural and cognitive strategies to resolve a variety of psychological and behavioural issues, by changing individual’s irrational or faulty thinking and behaviours and reinforcing positive experiencing, which ultimately leads to fundamental changes in the way of individual’s coping mechanism (Carroll, 2011). Therefore, in Mrs. Smith’s case, the cognitive behavioural therapy would focus upon helping her to shift or alter her negative thinking process towards the positive thought process, thereby helping her to think more clearly and make choices with confidence.

There are several types of cognitive-behavioural therapies, which are implemented on the basis of the client is being handled. One of the key types of cognitive behavioural therapy is ‘integrative behavioural couples therapy’, which is especially developed for couples, who are undergoing relationship issues or other conflicts, which are affecting the relationship. This therapy is originated from the behavioural therapy, a domain of CBT and it differs from the traditional couple therapy through the incorporation behavioural assessment of couple. Here, it has been revealed from Mrs. Smith’s case that not only  Leah is suffering from her behavioural conflict, but John, her husband is also showing behavioural issues, as he hit Leah several times, showing a tendency of domestic violence. The behaviour analysis includes direct and indirect observation for determining the areas for intervention (Baucom, 2012). In this context, this therapy includes both the social learning theory and behaviour analysis.

This therapy includes the scientific principles related to couple behaviour change and conflict resolution, in the context of the cognitive-behavioural therapy, while giving a crucial importance to the partners’ sensitivities and traits. Thus, the assessment of both the partner’s issues include the use of appropriate communication tools, including empathic listening, positive non-verbal communication tool and positive relationship building with the client. These strategies are then combined with the conflict resolution strategies, including problem definition, brain storming, hypothesis testing, revisiting the results of the experiment and incorporating what has been learned (Freeman, 2013). As Mrs. Leah and John needs to investigate their behavioural attributes, to find out the reasons behind their behavioural issues, this therapeutic approach is suitable to deal with her issues. The first session of the therapy focuses upon evaluation of the situation. Once the couple, i.e. Leah and her husband understands the importance of the therapy and how it is going to help them, the active phase starts, in which step actually the therapist would help both of them with an empathic and open communication and help to improve their negative thoughts towards positive one.

Applying therapy on Leah’s case

In Mrs. Leah Smith’s case, it has been revealed that the 33 years old lady has been fade up with her marriage with 35 years old carpenter John. Regular fight has reached at such a level that led John attempted to hit her. However, several times, Leah has argued that the extreme level at their fight reaches only few times a year, which in turn depends upon their mood. Therefore, it has been revealed that both of them are undergoing negative cognitions, which are modifying their behaviour towards negative consequences. On the other hand, it has been revealed from the case study that Leah’s unfulfilled wish, i.e. to finish her university degree and the social background of John is significantly contributing to their relationship conflict. Leah is continuously misbehaving with her children and husband, though she regrets for her behaviour later, but unable to control her behaviour; she only feels valued and comfortable at her office.

In this situation, the initial step in IBCT therapy would be to convince Leah for including her husband in the therapy. Although Leah have claimed that she no longer wants to carry on her relationship with John, but has also argued that she have no place to go. On the other hand, their relationship is significantly affecting the growth of their two children. Thus, the goal of the therapy would be to eliminate their negative thoughts and promoting positive ones through communication (Baucom et al., 2011). In this context, initially, once John has been involved in the therapeutic process, a strong therapeutic relationship would be built with both of them, through communication.  Respect and empathy would be shown to them, for building trust. Once they understand the need for assessment and the therapy, the active phase starts with the behavioural assessment, to understand the root of their negative cognition. For instance, the unfulfilled wish is one of the key reasons for Leah’s negative cognition; thus Leah would be advised to start her studies again. It would promote her self esteem and reduce negative thoughts regarding her.

On the other hand, in case of John grown up in foster care placement, thus it can be interpreted that John also had many unfulfilled wish. Moreover, John is a carpenter, with no financial benefits. Thus, he is also not satisfied with his employment. Therefore, with the help of conflict resolution tools, i.e. brainstorming and empathic assistance, John would be provided with other job opportunities to ensure his better career. It would also reduce their financial crisis (Baucom, 2012). Therefore, eliminating the key conflicts from their environment and helping them to adopt coping mechanism would improve their relationship status; Leah would be able to improve her behaviour towards her children and husband.

Conclusion

In this report the psycho-social theories have been demonstrated to mitigate social and psychological issues. In this context, it has been revealed that following these theories in practice, helps to promote the assessment of the psychosocial issues and evaluate the issue to select appropriate therapy for the service user. The report demonstrated the role of cognitive-behavioural therapy in mitigating such issues. Here, the social and psychological issues experienced by Leah has been elaborated and resolved with the help of a CBT therapy, known as ‘integrative behavioural couples therapy’ to concentrate more on resolving her relationship issues with her husband.

Reference List

Baucom, B. (2012). Integrative behavioral couple therapy. Engaging Men in Couples Therapy, 11, 153.

Baucom, K. J., Sevier, M., Eldridge, K. A., Doss, B. D., & Christensen, A. (2011). Observed communication in couples two years after integrative and traditional behavioral couple therapy: outcome and link with five-year follow-up. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 79(5), 565.

Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive-behavioral therapy. Clinical textbook of addictive disorders, 474-501.

Carroll, K. M. (2011). Cognitive behavioral therapy. Lowinsohn & Ruiz's substance abuse: A comprehensive textbook, 593-602.

Freeman, A. (2013). Cognitive therapy with couples and groups. Springer Science & Business Media.

Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., Vonk, I. J., Sawyer, A. T., & Fang, A. (2012). The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Cognitive therapy and research, 36(5), 427-440.

Kaplan, H. B. (Ed.). (2013). Psychosocial stress: Trends in theory and research. Academic Press.

McNulty, J. K., & Fincham, F. D. (2012). Beyond positive psychology? Toward a contextual view of psychological processes and well-being. American Psychologist, 67(2), 101.