Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Analysis

In the profession of counseling, it is important to utilize specific concepts and techniques to help the human mind. The human mind can be very complex. It is specifically important to understand why people think certain thoughts or behave in a variety of ways. There are five thought-focused and action-focused theoretical approaches that help clinicians understand people such as rational emotive behavior therapy, cognitive therapy, social learning therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and reality therapy.

The first form of cognitive-behavioral therapy is rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT). More than fifty years ago, Albert Ellis developed REBT with the focus on helping clients change irrational beliefs. With great emphasis, self-acceptance

Social learning therapy was developed by the one of the most influential social learning theorists, Albert Bandura. Social learning therapy provided emphasis on how people learn by observing and modeling others (Bandura, 2006). A well-known example of social learning therapy is the Bobo doll experiment, which showed children who saw an adult abuse a doll were more likely to manifest aggressive behavior rather than children who do not witness abuse. Later, Bandura found behavior could be learned and changed through observation as well. In addition, modeling not only has impact on behavior, but it can change cognitions and abilities to improve self-efficacy. The theory behind self-efficacy is that people perform certain tasks based off of beliefs and how competent an individual is, as well as the consequences of doing it. “People develop a sense of their own competency at a given task. This sense of competency shapes future attempts” (Bandura, 1977). Social learning theory seeks to help strengthen self-observation and self-judgement of the

In the 1960s, Reality Therapy was initially developed by William Glasser. Later, reality therapy also found a spokesman, Robert Wubbolding. Similar to cognitive therapy approaches to therapy, reality therapy focuses on the present and helps people change their thoughts and action. However, reality therapy has a more philosophical approach and emphasizes self-determination and process more than results (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 369). Reality therapy is based off the idea that all people are born with five basic needs that need to be fulfilled. The five basic needs are: belonging, power/achievement, fun/enjoyment, and survival. The five basic needs are universal; however, people have different ways of fulfilling those needs. Reality therapy does not believe mental illness is a disease. Mental illness is people’s failure to meet the basic needs in responsible and effective ways. Maintaining healthy relationships are an important aspect of reality therapy. Relationships are key to both the development of difficulties and achieving a more rewarding life. Two specific relationships that are important are partner and parental relationships. Although reality therapy seems suitable to all cultures and backgrounds, it is important to keep in mind the different belief aspect of different culture. For example, Sanchez and Garriga (1996) raised concern for Hispanic culture and fatalism. It is important to empower client by