Behavioural Therapies

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a common approach used by counsellors and other professional psychologists to help ease emotional distress by recognising and treating the underlying psychological problems. This type of therapy has proven to be an effective method of treatment for a variety of problems, including anxiety disorders, depression disorders, stress, anger and coping with loss. It is possible for the therapy to take place on a one-to-one basis, with family members or even as a group depending on the issue and how the individual feels most comfortable.

Behavioural and Cognitive therapies mainly concentrate on the theory of here and now, however, they do not dismiss the individuals past altogether and the professional and client must work together to address the current issues. It is imperative that the relationship formed between the counsellor and the sufferer is positive in order to develop a shared outlook of the issues that need to be confronted. If this occurs the pair can set goals and find ways of achieving these goals together. The counsellor will often set the client home projects to complete in order to put their new skills into practice.

Behavioural Therapy

This approach addresses the unusual thoughts, feelings and behaviour directly by issuing the sufferer with rewards and by confronting the factors that influence these recurrent thoughts. This therapy does not ignore the past like some other approaches, but does concentrate on the present events which are in control of the sufferers behaviour.

Cognitive Therapy

This type of therapy attempts to recognise unusual thoughts or events that could potentially result in unwanted feelings and negative behaviour. The main objective is to amend these initial thoughts and replace them with a different perspective in order to prevent the distressing consequences from occurring.

Many professionals combine the two approaches, which can have effective results in changing a persons distorted thoughts and feelings.

The main objective of this therapy is to identify and alter an individual's thought process in order to change both behaviour and emotional development. The sessions consist of a number of activities; a few of the techniques are listed below.

Coping skills

Assessments

Relaxation

Challenging certain thoughts

Thought stopping

Homework projects

Training in communication