ESSAY

Answer

Modalities in Counselling and Psychotherapy

Several modalities are used by therapists in counseling and psychotherapy. The operations of these modalities vary depending on many factors such as access to these modalities. The preferred choice should be that which works effectively to bring the needed change, the positive patient outcome. Therapists may be trained in a single approach or might use techniques from different methods when dealing with a client. It is significant for the client to ensure that the therapist is copiously competent before deciding to see them by marking proof of their qualifications (Sommers-Flanagan et al., 2018, p. 121). Therapists work differently even if they use the same modality due to factors such as personality. Therefore, it is essential to develop a strong relationship with the client to ensure the process works out effectively. This paper seeks to discuss two types of modalities which are Cognitive-Behavioral and Jungian and how they align with my personality and counseling style. The paper will focus on presenting the concepts and interventions of these modalities, an overview of the reason behind my choice, as well as a synopsis of the strengths and weaknesses of each therapy.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy approach is based on the concept that there is a relationship between one’s actions, thoughts, physical sensations, and feelings. It relies on the fact that cognitions, behaviors, and beliefs influence negative thoughts in an individual (Stallard, 2019, p. 34). Such negative thoughts and feelings lead to inaccurate appraisal of events which can trap the individual in a vicious cycle. According to this modality, when people respond to what goes around them in a negative way, it leads to a creation of negative patterns which affects the way such individuals feel. For instance, individuals might develop negative emotions when they experience actions that they do not like such as violence. When these actions occur frequently, it affects the individuals’ state of mind.

Cognitive-Behavioral therapy uses varying therapeutic techniques to accommodate clients’ issues. These techniques aim to address the overwhelming issues more positively. The idea is to change the negative patterns to improve how the client feels. CBT aims to find practical ways of breaking the identified problems into smaller parts to improve the client’s state of mind daily. It focuses on current issues rather than dealing with issues from the past.

CBT applies various techniques that vary depending on the problem being addressed. The most common technique involves keeping a diary of significant events and related issues such as thoughts (Dobson et al., 2019, p. 32). This helps to keep track of the events leading to the problem and to determine the relationship between such events and the cognitive response. It becomes easy to link a particular issue or behavior to a change in feelings, thoughts or emotions. Another technique commonly used is questioning and testing those beliefs and cognitions that are considered unrealistic or worthless. The technique helps to identify the main issues to focus on by sorting them in groups. In addition, the technique of initiating new ways of behaving and reacting is used in this approach to assist the client find better ways of dealing with the problems, (Hetrick et al., 2016, p. 45). According to this approach, one can overcome a challenge by finding out new ways of dealing with them such as converting them into strengths. Most therapists use relaxation and distraction techniques depending on the clients’ issues being addressed as well as their reactions and behavior. The CBT approach can work for both groups and individuals depending on the technique used and the preference of the therapist.

Treatment using CBT takes about 5 to 20 sessions. Each session might last for about 30 to 60 minutes depending on various factors. During sessions, the therapist and the client break down the problems into separate segments including actions, physical feelings, or thoughts (Linehan, 2018). An analysis of these areas is done to determine if they are unrealistic as well as the relationship between them and the client. The therapists then work out the ways to help you change the unrealistic thoughts or behaviors. After determining what to change, the therapist advises the client to apply these changes in daily life. The purpose of CBT is to identify the current problem and teach the client how to use the skills learned during treatment in everyday life to help them manage the problem.

I prefer CBT approach due to various reasons. Since the approach relies on the clients’ reactions to the current actions happening in their lives, it becomes easier to link these actions to their negative feelings and thoughts. It is easier to understand the position of the client since I might relate to the current issues they face. I am good at analyzing a current problem and the possible ways of working to create a solution to any challenge. My personality allows me to question and understand clients deeply because I am always curious to find out why they found themselves in a particular condition.

Strengths and Weaknesses of CBT

Strengths

• CBT approach is highly structured which allows it to be presented in different formats such as groups or apps (Schoenleber et al., 2018, p. 72). It can also be provided using self-help books.
• CBT treatment takes a relatively short time compared to other talking therapy approaches.
• CBT enables teaching of useful and practical strategies essential for the daily life that can be applied even after completion of treatment.
• Also, it is significant in those cases where medication alone has failed to achieve the desired results.

Strengths

• The process of CBT treatment requires a high level of commitment and cooperation in order to get the most from it (Linehan, 2018, p. 21). This might be a challenge to some individuals especially those that engage in other activities such as jobs.
• CBT approach might not be suitable for clients with more complex mental health needs because it entails structures sessions. Individuals with learning difficulties might find it hard to comply with the structured sessions.
• This approach focuses on the capacity of the person to change themselves. It also involves confronting clients’ emotions and anxieties which might be uncomfortable for some people.

Jungian

This is a specialized psychotherapy approach that focusses on the unconscious. It involves cooperation between the Jungian analyst and the client that aims to expand the client’s consciousness to achieve a psychological balance and harmony (Ross, 2018, p. 67). The Jungian analysis involves examining the deep motivations regarding the thoughts, actions, and psyche of the client that relate to conscious awareness. This approach focuses on both events within the sessions as well as the experience of what happens in and out of the client’s life. This results in more profound and long-lasting changes in the client’s personality. Jungian modality depends on the concept that creating new values and purpose by realigning the conscious and unconscious aspects of personality helps to heal psychological suffering and pain.

The Jungian modality of counseling and psychotherapy involves understanding people’s motivation through their psyche. The human psyche is made up of patterns that influence the habits one develops such as addictions and depression (Winborn, 2018, p. 71). This approach aims to analyze these patterns by exploring peoples’ dreams, thoughts and beliefs to have a better understanding of the human self. According to this approach, there is a relationship between the individual and their psyche that brings about conscious. The patterns known as archetypes that create consciousness determine how human beings experience certain things. These archetypes are expressed through symbols in human aspects such as dreams or religion.  However, a psychological problem might arise when inner-world archetypal experiences collide with other world patterns to create internal conflict (Nelson, 2018, p. 56). Jungian approach focusses on releasing this conflict to help the individual lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. The process involves self-awareness that allows to find out what is out of balance in the client’s psyche. It also involves transformation and actualization that helps to work out the appropriate ways that would empower the clients to make changes to achieve balance and wholesomeness consciously. 

Jungian approach resonates with my personality due to various reasons. I have a better understanding of how thoughts, psyche, and actions operate in a person. I can easily relate thoughts, and actions and their motivation to conscious awareness. I like studying peoples’ mind, and this can be an asset for learning about their thoughts, expectations, and motivation. My ability to predict the next course of action in an individual after studying them is significant for helping them to deal with psychological challenges. I like talking to people and learning about their experiences, motivations, cultural backgrounds, and dreams and thus it can help me to work out what is out of balance in a client’s psyche. Also, I am a massive supporter of Carl Gustav Jung theory that asserts that personal unconscious is not just about personal things contained in an individual but is part of a much bigger and collective unconscious made up of patterns common to all people.

Strengths and weaknesses

The common advantages of using Jungian approach include;

• It helps individuals to go on a personal journey that makes their dreams and experiences more vivid and amongst the most memorable moments of their lives (Sedgwick, 2016, p. 87).
• It helps to identify some of the string-puppets in society and help individuals to learn how to unhook from their own soul.
• It helps to depend on your experience in film and literature because you easily can relate to the archetypal forces which they frequently represent.

However, the Jungian approach has its weaknesses, and one of the main weakness is that it is on a principle that facilitates the process of individualism rather than restoring psychic condition (Sedgwick, 2016, p. 102). In addition, there lacks enough empirical evidence to support the approach which discourages many people from applying it. Also, the process of Jungian analysis can make you become self-obsessed and deranged.

In conclusion, there various modalities for counseling and physiotherapy and the working of these modalities depend on factors such as access. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Jungian approach are among the common approaches used by therapists during counseling. A better relationship between the client and the therapist is required to achieve an effective outcome during the process regardless of the approach. CBT approach involves understanding the connection between your actions, thoughts, physical sensations, and feelings. It asserts that factors such as cognition, behaviors, and beliefs influence negative thoughts in an individual. The advantage of CBT is that it is highly structured thereby allowing it to be presented in different formats such as self-help books or groups. One of its disadvantages is that it might not be suitable for clients with complex psychological needs. On the other hand, the Jungian approach involves understanding people’s motivation through their psyche with an aim to expand their consciousness to achieve a psychological balance and harmony. The approach analyzes human psyche patterns that influence habits such as anxiety by exploring peoples’ dreams, thoughts, and beliefs to have a better understanding of the human self. Its advantage is that it helps to make peoples’ dreams and experiences more vivid while its weakness is that it can make a person become self-obsessed.