Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Case Studies

The most appropriate intervention for Ashley is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT will teach the patient coping skills, how to name negative thinking patterns, and how to process her feelings. Ashley is open to individual therapy; even so, a cultural implication for Ashley is that she reports she and her kin are not likely to seek therapy. Constant negative thoughts such as “ I am never going to get better” or “Cancer stops me from doing everything” can influence health care decisions (Jones, 2016). CBT will allow for Ashley to learn relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and rhythmic breathing that can help her to unwind during this difficult time. Ashley’s husband can attend sessions if he wishes
Ashley reports that the cancer has made her feel as if she has lost control of her life because her diagnosis and fetus’s safety is out of her control all at once. CBT can help Ashley learn techniques to regain control of her life. Medication is typically applied in conjunction with CBT to stabilize anxiety and depression symptoms but Ashley is not able to take medication for her symptoms due to pregnancy. Ashley’s pregnant is be a risk factor among this intervention because I need to take the fetus into consideration as well. Since Ashley reports her worries tend to interfere with her day, she will be given a worry journal which is a CBT technique. Every morning Ashley will set aside 15 minutes to worry about anything and everything and write it in her journal. However, once that 15 minutes of worrying is over for the day she will have to stop for the day. When she finds herself worrying she needs to remind herself that she already worried for the allotted time and must revisit thoughts containing worry tomorrow. Over time, this will help Ashley to regain control of her