C-500 Theory Outline

PCN-500 Theory Outline
Erica Boltz
I. Theory: Behavioral Therapy
a. Key Concepts
i. This approach operates by the following principles
1. Behaviors are strengthened or weakened by its consequences
2. Behaviors that get rewarded will increase and the ones that get punished will decrease
3. This is a functional approach, rather than structural
4. Positive and negative environments can have a positive or negative affect on client
5. Behaviorism is ant mentalist
6. Behavior therapy is empirically based and data driven
7. The changes that clients make in therapy must be incorporated into their daily living
8. Insight ONLY is not beneficial for client ii. Behavior is determined by the environment iii. Humans are motivated to adapt
to the environment; in essence, behavior serves to obtain things that help us survive (Murdock, 2013). iv. The central constructs are:
1. Classical- involuntary reflexive process, such as:
a.
Flooding which exposes people to fear-invoked objects to treat phobias, anxiety, and stress related disorders
b. Systematic desensitization which is for client to make a list of fears and then relax while concentrating on these fears, this is to assist with phobias as well
c. Aversion therapy is pairing an undesirable behavior with aversive stimulates in hopes that the unwanted behavior will be reduced
2. Operant- behavior maintained by its consequences
a. Token economies relies on reinforcements to modify behavior such as behavior contracts
b. Modeling which is the client learning by observing others and their behaviors
c. Extinction focuses on the elimination of reinforcing a behavior, such as a time-out (Cherry, 2014).
v. Theorists are reluctant to discuss childhood events, but rather focus on current conditions of behavior vi. Healthy people use adaptive behavior vii. Dysfunction stems from maladaptive behavior such as fear viii. Behavior is not considered to be equivalent to mental illness (Murdock, 2013). ix. The goal of this approach is to reinforce desirable behaviors and eliminate unwanted maladaptive ones
x. This is action based therapy xi. This approach is geared towards teaching clients new behaviors (Cherry,
2014).

b. Key Theorists
i. Ivan Pavlov ii. Joseph Wolpe iii. John B. Watson iv. Rosalie Rayner
v. E.L. Thorndike vi. B.F. Skinner vii. Albert Bandura viii. Hans Eysenck (Murdock, 2013).

c. Appropriate Populations for the Theory
i. This approach is effective for clients who are treating anxiety and mood disorders such as:
1. Obsessive-compulsive disorder
2. Post-traumatic stress disorder
3. Depression
4. Social phobia
5. Bipolar disorder
6. Schizophrenia
7. Autism
8. Personality disorders
9. Substance abuse
10. Eating disorders ii. Clients who are open to exploring feelings and anxieties (Cherney, 2013). iii. This approach is appropriate for clients who are willing to participate in therapy such as homework assignments iv. This approach is effective for clients who can deal with issues head on (Murdock, 2013).

d. Inappropriate Populations for the Theory (Explain why.)
i. This approach is inappropriate for clients who expect a hierarchy within the therapeutic relationship, ii. It is in appropriate for clients who are not willing to participate in homework assignments (Murdock, 2013).

e. Therapist’s Role
i. To be a model for the client ii. To be active and direct iii. Teach the client the skills necessary to be their own behavior therapist iv. Reduce maladaptive behavior and increase adaptive behavior
v. Look for sources of reinforcement that can be used towards behavior vi. Utilize different techniques, such as:
1. Relaxation training
2. Exposure therapy
3. Systematic desensitization
4. Aversive techniques
5. “Blow-up” technique
6. Shaping
7. Reinforcement
8. Differential reinforcement
9. Extinction
10. Punishment
11. Assertiveness training
12. Stimulus control
13. Covert conditioning
14. Modeling
15. Behavioral self-control (Murdock, 2013).

f. Client’s Role
i. Actively participate through homework assignments and goal setting assignments ii. Be willing to face issues at face value (Murdock, 2013).

g. Theory Strengths
i. Emphasizes self-help and client self-direction ii. Culturally diverse because it focuses on environmental factors (Murdock, 2013).

h. Theory Limitations
i. This theory is viewed as simplistic ii. Ignores the role of interpersonal relationships iii. Neglects clients past iv. Lack of attention to societal norms (Murdock, 2013).

i. Key Terms (Write a short definition for each.)
i. Positive rein forcers- a behavior will reoccur because something good is presented ii. Negative rein forcers- behavior is removed due to consequences iii. Adaptive behavior- promotes the survival of aversion
1. All behavior has learned components (Murdock, 2013). iv. Classical conditioning- involves forming association between stimuli
v. Operant conditioning- focuses on how reinforcements and punishment can either increase or decrease a behavior (Cherry, 2014).

j. Is this Theory Research-based? Evidence-based? Justify your rationale.)
i. This theory received support from outcome research ii. In a research study by Butler, Chapman, Forman, and Beck (2006) it was shown that BT was effective in treating adults with depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorders iii. Emmelkemp (2004) found effectiveness for anxiety disorders and depression iv. Prendergast, Podus, Finney, Greenwell, and Roll (2006) proved effectiveness for substance abuse disorders by manipulating rein forcers and punishers
v. Kurtz and Mueser (2008) proved effective in clients with schizophrenia (Murdock, 2013).

k. Special Training Requirements (if applicable)
i. The training requirement is to be competent within the counselors level of expertise within this approach

II.
Theory: Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
a. Key Concepts
i. Focuses on uncovering irrational beliefs that could lead to unhealthy negative emotions and replacing them with rational alternatives ii. Views people as ‘responsibly hedonistic’ in essence that people strive to remain alive and happy iii. People adopt irrational beliefs that stand in the way of achieving goals and purpose iv. Utilize the ABC framework:
1. A- activating events
2. B- beliefs about them
3. C- consequences of behavior (Mulhauser, n.d.).
v. Believe it is not the events that disturb people, but their view of them vi. Behavior should never equate a person vii. Basic human motivation is to obtain pleasure and avoid pain viii. Do not believe in rating people ix. Believe human behavior is biologically inherited and taught through environment
x. Most important environmental influences are other people xi. Healthy people rely on rational thoughts xii. Healthy people value flexibility, open-mindedness, and acceptance xiii. Values in REBT philosophy are:
1. Long-range hedonism
2. Self interest
3. Social interest
4. Self-direction
5. Tolerance of others
6. Acceptance of life’s ambiguity
7. Openness and flexibility to
change
8. Value of scientific thinking xiv. Dysfunction stems from people operating on irrational beliefs (Murdock, 2013).

b. Key Theorists
i. Albert Ellis

c. Appropriate Populations for the Theory
i. This is appropriate for clients who are willing and able to conceptualize their problems within the ABC framework ii. Clients who are active in participation in the process of identifying and changing irrational beliefs such as homework assignments iii. Clients who can work with a counselor who will challenge and dispute with them (Mulhauser, n.d.).

d. Inappropriate Populations for the Theory (Explain why.)
i. This is inappropriate for clients who do not meet one or more of the appropriate population criteria ii. Clients who are skilled in philosophical engagement will not benefit (Mulhauser, n.d.).

e. Therapist’s Role
i. Dispute the clients irrational beliefs ii. Help clients overcome irrational beliefs iii. Push clients to accept the discomfort which comes with the change process (Mulhauser, n.d.). iv. Utilize different techniques, such as:
1. Disputing
2. Bibliotherapy
3. Proselytizing
4. Recordings
5. Reframing
6. Stop and monitor
7. Rational coping statements
8. Rational emotive imagery
9. Flamboyant therapist actions
10. Humor
11. Role playing
12. Rational-irrational dialogue
13. Reinforcements and penalties
14. Skill training
15. In vivo desensitization
16. Acting on rational beliefs
17. Homework
18. Shame attacking (Murdock, 2013).

f. Client’s Role
i. Recognize they are responsible for their own disturbed thoughts, behaviors, and feelings and stop blaming others ii. Recognize how they feel and act when they are upset iii. Work hard to change their emotions iv. Know the ABCs of life and work to behave differently (Murdock, 2013).
v. Acknowledge the existence of a problem vi. Identify irrational beliefs vii. Challenge irrational beliefs and form a rational alternative viii. Practice changing unhealthy negative emotions into healthy ones (Mulhauser, n.d.).

g. Theory Strengths
i. It is a simple, clear-cut theory ii. Allows several techniques which can meet different client’s presentations (Murdock, 2013).

h. Theory Limitations
i. Essentially works with people over age 8 and with one prominent symptom ii. What is labeled rational to some cultures may not be to others iii. Ignores emotions from clients past (Murdock, 2013).

i. Key Terms (Write a short definition for each.)
i. Irrational belief- beliefs that lead to unproductive outcomes ii. Selective eclecticism- counsellors are encouraged to use techniques from other approaches while working within the REBT framework iii. Rational emotive imagery- visualizing an event until you can feel the feelings associated with the image (Murdock, 2013).

j. Is this Theory Research-based? Evidence-based? Justify your rationale.
i. Outcome research does support this theory, but with methodological problems ii. David et al (2005) concluded REBT is as effective as other approaches that offer a wide range of client presentations iii. Studies conducted are non-experimental nature (Murdock, 2013).

k. Special Training Requirements (if applicable)
i. To remain competent within the approach and career

References
Cherney, K. (2013). Behavioral Therapy. Retrieved September 23, 2014, from http://www.healthline.com/health/behavioral-therapy#Benefits4
Cherry, K. (2014). What Is Behavioral Therapy? About education. Retrieved September 20, 2014, from http://psychology.about.com/od/typesofpsychotherapy/a/behavioral-therapy.htm
Mulhauser, G. (n.d.). An Introduction to Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy. Counselling resource. Retrieved September, 20, 2014, from http://counsellingresource.com/lib/therapy/types/rational-emotive/
Murdock, N. (2013). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: A case approach (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education