Psychology

Cognitive Therapy is a type of psychotherapy that developed by Aaron Beck, an American psychiatrist, in the 1960s. It is among the approaches within the large group of cognitive-behavioural therapies. Compared to other forms of psychotherapy, it is usually focused on the here-and-now and more directive in style i.e. problem-solving oriented. According to Aaron Beck, cognitive therapy was developed to identifying distorted thinking, modifying beliefs, relating to others in different ways, and changing behaviours (Beck, n.d.). It is based on the model stating that our perception of situations have influences on how we feel emotionally. Moreover, when people are faced with anxiety or distressed, they often form distorted thoughts in some way. With the help of cognitive therapy, people are able to identify these thoughts and change them into something more realistic which will eventually lead to solving problems and initiating behavioural changes. Cognitive therapy utilizes techniques from other therapies to bring about cognitive, behavioural and emotional change. It involves the therapists proper planning and implementing treatment in accordance to a cognitive formulation and conceptualization (Beck, 2001).  This kind of therapy works best with people suffering from Depression, suicidal tendencies, etc. Cognitive therapy has also done work on schizophrenia.

Beck was also responsible for producing a depression scale psychological test which he used as basis of his work during therapy. It is normally filled out at the start of the therapy and acts as the objectives for the therapist to assess the progress of a patient through time. Therapists in cognitive therapy like to perform a technique called mood check the client will be asked what problems he would like to talk about during the session and about what important events that had happened the previous week. Information from this technique will be used to make a bridge between sessions. Normally, this kind of therapy gives self-help assignments to clients to allow them to feel independent and in control of their feelings. It acts as a version of treatment that is tested through the week to see if it is applicable or helpful to the client. During the session, problems will be discussed mixed with a little problem solving. Throughout the whole process, the therapist will be assessing the accuracy of the clients thoughts and beliefs during the problematic situation. With enough interaction with the client, he would have learned enough skills or techniques during the sessions.

The role of the therapist and the client are both active in this form of treatment (Beck, 2001). This is different from person-centred treatments because therapist provides a direct approach in helping the patient. He teaches techniques and skills that could be helpful for him in the outside world and may even role-play at the treatment as a sort of practice. What I like about this treatment is that the therapist is allowed to be creative in his attempt to help the patient. He is allowed to be more interactive. However, one set back in the cognitive therapy is that it does not acknowledge why people chose to focus on the negative self-concepts he has created when a positive evaluation would be the most likely tendency of people.

I would use the incorporation of self-help assignments in my counselling because it helps the client focused on working on her treatment. Likewise, if I were to apply it to myself as a therapist it would probably be hard, but given that I know of techniques that could help me in eradicating negative schemas, I would do it.

This theory has contributed a lot of ideas to addressing and dealing with depression amongst people. It has contributed as well to the aspect of psychological testing still widely used today.

REALITY THERAPY
In 1965, a psychiatrist named William Glasser developed a counselling approach called the Reality Therapy. Glasser (1960) used the premise that behaviour is purposeful and may be used to close the gap between what we want and what we perceive are getting. This means we act according to how we desire it and with this in mind, changing what we do is the means to changing how we feel and getting what we want. Reality therapy is more person-centred than other therapies because it accounts for the person as responsible for changes that may occur in his life. Hence, one of its goals is to find better means to meet these changes and to have the strength to take control of ones life and take responsibility.

Reality Therapy works under the premise that people have needs and we are always acting to meet one of these needs. However, in meeting these goals, Glasser believes that meeting these needs are actually driven by our wants as human beings. Much of what we do is based on what we want. A therapist will not ask what do you need instead he will ask what do you want How will you get what you want This is the goal of the therapist. In a non-biased manner, he helps the client know what he wants make a plans that can be done here-and-now and help him follow through. Between the therapist-client relationship, the client acts as the active one in the decision making. Therapists merely suggest plans but never conveys that it is the only choice. Therapists should be able to define problems in solvable terms such as using metaphors ensures that any complaints or criticisms are avoided as it builds on ineffective planning.

I personally do not agree for this to be effective all the time. Plans will not always be followed accordingly, and it may need the therapist to always look after the client to make sure that he is following his self-made plan.

On his new book, Glasser (1999) based his therapy on the Choice Therapy wherein human beings are always attempting to take control. Considering that he assumes all human beings to be responsible of his actions, having control over oneself is the key solution. With control, the therapist is capable of aiding the client to finding a directive solution to her problems. It allows us to take control of our behaviours and, it reminds us that decisions are made by us and not as a result of a given situation.
Personally, I prefer this kind of therapies because it credits the capabilities of human beings to be in charge of our behaviours. Especially for troublesome patients, in some way or another, it gives them the courage to actively take part in fulfilling their own personal journey and not merely going with the flow. The Reality Therapy has contributed a lot in our community as it has given a short-term approach to educate and help people and address different kinds of concerns because it presents the idea that given a proper course of action, we can always do it. We always have a choice. Educators use it when teaching their students, guidance counsellors use it help his students with their life-long plans counsellors use it on clients dealing with all sorts of addictions such as drugs and alcoholism and psychiatrists may use it on people facing depression.

I believe that knowing the basics of this therapy can help anyone in any obstacles that they may meet in the future. As long as I know what I want, I take control of myself by making choices to attain what I want.