Cognitive Behavioral Theory and Humanistic Approach

Question: Discuss about theCognitive Behavioral Theory and Humanistic Approach. Answer: Introduction Janes case study has been analyzed based on two theories, namely, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and humanistic approach. CBT and the humanistic approach are usually used to treat people suffering from anxiety or depression (Graham Reynolds, 2013). Several other conditions, such as, panic attacks, phobias, anorexia, bulimia, insomnia, substance abuse, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can be treated with CBT (Tarrier Johnson, 2015). Humanistic approach based therapy on the other hand has a subjective inclination of determining the mental health of a person (Schneider, Person Bugental, 2014). In this case study, Janes case has been described from the aspect of CBT and humanistic approach. The approach followed by the counselor to understand and treat Jane has also been analyzed. The main differences and similarities between the two approaches while handling the case of Jane has been analyzed. Stress has been laid on the the CBT based ap proach which has ultimately proved to be the most appropriate approach for working with Jane. Summary of Janes Case Two Theoretical Perspectives From the CBTs perspective, it can be stated that Jane is suffering from anxiety and depression. Jane has been on her own ever since her mother has died and her children have moved away. She was being treated for depression and she has been suffering from anxiety. She gets anxious in leaving her home for longer periods and she finds it difficult to meet with people. She would like to restart her career as a nurse but she is again feeling anxious in making the attempt as she feels she is too old to retrain. From the Humanistic approach, by following the Maslows hierarchy of needs, Janes case can be described on its basis (Cooper, 2013). Jane needs to have positive regard for her, which needs to be developed from the self-actualization as well as esteem based needs, which is the main reason of her anxiety in restarting her previous occupation as a nurse. Her mother has died, her children have also moved away and she is a divorcee, which has led her into developing the need of belonging, which makes her upset. She wants to fulfill the need by hoping to be in a relationship but her anxiety is preventing her from doing so. Her safety needs feel compromised, as she feels anxious is staying away from home for too long. Description of Counselors Approach Towards Jane The CBT counselor will be asking Jane questions related to her life with an objective approach to gain introspection into her present situation (Eysenck, 2014). The counselor will ask her questions, which will be based on her thoughts, feelings, sensations and related actions, presuming that all these, are interconnected. The counselor will change the negative trend in Janes line of thoughts and make her concentrate on the present and inspire her to deal with it in a practical way (Wells, 2013). The humanistic approach based counselor will follow a subjective approach and try to comprehend Janes situation based on her needs which can be physiological, safety based, belonging, esteem and self actualization needs (Rowan, 2015). The counselor will try to understand the situations based on her past, which has led her into developing her present conditions. The counselor will try to inspire Jane to find her own true potential and a remedy to her situation rather than suggesting some maneuver to deal with it. Summary of Understanding Jane from the Perspectives of the Respective Modalities CBT is based on the principle that is focused on the thoughts and moods by targeting the behaviors and actions. It identifies the specific patterns of behavioral patterns and negative thought that causes depression due to the stressful or challenging situations. It believes that the negative feelings or actions are a result of the current thoughts or beliefs that are distorted and not due to the unconscious forces related to the past (Hofmann et al., 2012). Since Jane is living alone and is finding it difficult to get on with her life due to her increased age, this is the cause of her depression, which is not related to her disturbed adulthood, according to the principles of CBT. Her thoughts of getting into a relationship or restart her career as a nurse needs counseling and motivation to get over her depression and move on with life. On the contrary, the humanistic approach is based on the theory that explores the substantial capacity of the individuals for their self-determination. Although it is focused on the present of the patient, it addresses their histories to promote their understanding of how their experiences of past have shaped their present as it encourages them to explore their feelings, emotions and thoughts (Chen et al., 2014). Since Jane had a disturbed adulthood, it has a deep impact in making her apprehensive of moving on with her life and getting over her loneliness and depression. She is also hesitant to meet people owing to her nervousness to lose people, as it was the case for her parents. Effective counseling can help her to explore her inner thoughts that can help her to get on with her life. Differences in Approaches in Respect to Jane CBT allows an objective approach towards Janes condition, whereas, humanistic approach concentrates on the subjective aspect of Jane (Kendall Hollon, 2013). CBT takes into consideration only the present and the help is provided to the patient based on that. The approach is entirely practical and realistic. Humanistic approach however, considers the past of the patient because the theory works on the idea that a person can be defined based on both his past as well as the present (Pascual-Leone, Pavio Harrington, 2016). It will allow Jane to get a perspective of her own situation rather than assessing it from the counselors viewpoint. CBT would allow Jane to make a practical move and rescue her from having negative thoughts. Humanistic approach would make Jane lead a life where she will be able to identify her full potential and live a contented life (Waterman, 2013). It is more like a self-help approach. Similarities in Approaches in respect to Jane Although both the approaches of CBT and humanistic theories have their own set of principles for psychotherapy, however, there are certain similarities in their goals that can be implemented while working with Jane. Both the therapies need the willingness and participation of the patient and they are focused on self-awareness (Hayes et al., 2013). Both these approaches prevent the patient from the formation of negative self-judgments valuing their mistakes and failures as a part of the continuous process of coping and exploring (Fava et al., 2014). Based on these parameters, it can be stated that these principles can be utilized for working with Jane. She has to be encouraged to focus on her capacities and capabilities that will reinforce her self-confidence to meet new people and explore new career opportunities, despite her increased age. Elimination of her negative self-judgments can help her get over her loneliness and depression, which will eventually help her to leave her home for long periods and get on with her life. Restarting her career as a nurse will require exceptional diligence and getting stuck with her failed adulthood will be of no good help and push her into depression. Rather, with the application of these approaches, her self-awareness and self-esteem will visualize her failure as an opportunity for coping and exploring that will help her to return to her normal Cognitive Behavioral Theory is the Best Approach CBT approach has been selected as the most appropriate approach, which can be used to treat Jane. CBT would help Jane to work on her issue of anxiety and depression in a short period as CBT only gives an evaluation, which is based on the immediate present, asking the patient not to delve into the past (Wiles et al., 2013). CBT has a structured nature of evaluation, which necessarily need not be handed out by counseling sessions. Books, group visits as well as computer-based programs can provide Jane with the necessary help that she needs to handle her situation. CBT therapy involves practical approach to a situation, which can be continued post the treatment session too (Wagner, Horn Maercker, 2014). Jane needs this kind of treatment to help her get the confidence back to restart her career as a nurse. Conclusion Both the approaches of cognitive behavioral therapy and humanistic approach are the first-line of treatment for depression and have their own principles of psychotherapy that can be utilized for treating Jane. Since the past life of Jane has been quite disturbing considering the ill health and death of her parents, humanistic approach will be effective to evoke her sense of belonging and evaluate her efficiencies. Since her present is surrounded with loneliness, CBT can be effective in modifying her negative thoughts and transform them into ones that are more positive. With both similarities and differences in their fundamentals, CBT and humanistic approach, counselors will be benefited by their application while carrying out the psychotherapy of Jane. 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