COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY: COMPARING GROUP, FAMILY, AND INDIVIDUAL SETTINGS

There are significant differences in the applications of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for families and individuals. The same is true for CBT in group settings and CBT in family settings. In your role, it is essential to understand these differences to appropriately apply this therapeutic approach across multiple settings. For this Discussion, as you compare the use of CBT in individual, group, and family settings, consider challenges of using this approach with groups you may lead, as well as strategies for overcoming those challenges.(COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY)

Post an explanation of how the use of CBT in groups compares to its use in family or individual settings. Explain at least two challenges PMHNPs might encounter when using CBT in one of these settings. Support your response with specific examples from this week’s media and at least three peer-reviewed, evidence-based sources. Explain why each of your supporting sources is considered scholarly and attach the PDFs of your sources.(COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY)

videos

·       Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy. (2018, June 7). CBT for couplesLinks to an external site.[Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZH196rOGsc(COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY)

·       MedCircle. (2019, December 13). What a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) session looks likeLinks to an external site.[Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-2WQF3SWwo

·       PsychExamReview. (2019, April 30). Cognitive therapy, CBT, & group approaches (intro psych tutorial #241)Links to an external site.[Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2_NN1Q7Rfg(COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY)

COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY: Comparing Group and Individual Settings

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common psychotherapy that combines cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. Cognitive therapy helps individuals understand their thoughts, attitudes, and expectations. Behavioral therapy perceives human behavior as learned and can be unlearned or learned afresh. It aims to determine whether particular behavioral patterns make life challenging or intensify an individual’s problems (David et al., 2018). The client and the therapist work on changing problematic behaviors. The discussion analyzes how the use of CBT in groups compares to its use in family or individual settings and explains challenges PMHNPs might encounter when using CBT in these settings.(COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY)

CBT is a problem-solving approach that emphasizes the current problems and finding their solutions. It does engage the past as much, and the primary aim is to aid people to help themselves. However, therapists still inquire about an individual’s past in understanding the current problem. Cognitive behavioral therapy is widely used to help individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders, alcohol and substance abuse, and addiction (David et al., 2018). It can also be used to treat and relieve symptoms and conditions like tinnitus, chronic pain, and rheumatism. CBT is applied in various settings, including group and individual settings. A therapist’s approach in each setting might vary.(COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY)

The difference between group cognitive behavioral therapy (G-CBT) and individual cognitive behavioral therapy (I-CBT) is one is applied in a group of people experiencing a similar or relatable problem, and the other is adopted to help one individual. Cognitive behavioral group therapy utilizes a community setting to address particular interventions. The community setting works as a support group to educate members on various techniques to improve and bolster cognition, relational skills, and problematic behaviors. G-CBT is preferred when a person seeks a support system in the healing process. The therapist engages individuals within the group to reduce the pressure of recognizing negative behavioral and thought patterns (Guo et al., 2021). The therapist has set ground rules that require members to respect one another and ensure the information shared remains confidential. Basic G-CBT principles include normalization via group identity, collaborative therapeutic relationships, vicarious learning and positive reinforcement, in-vivo exposure, and cognitive restructuring using behavioral experiments (Guo et al., 2021). Generally, G-CBT can be preferred to I-CBT because it provides more opportunities for reinforcement, social situations exposure, social support, positive peer modelling, and normalization.(COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY)

Individual therapy is more person-oriented as a therapist works to help an individual improve their cognitive and eliminate or improve problematic behaviors. The goal is to help individuals while addressing their personal goals and interest. It allows a therapist to offer a more personalized treatment (Guo et al., 2021). The treatment plan is tailored, and individuals are primarily in control of their progress. The interventions can be adjusted to fit what is working for the client and their preferences. Individual CBT offers more privacy protection, and one-on-one attention allows the therapist to understand the client in depth. The level of treatment and engagement is more intensive and comprehensive compared to G-CBT. The therapist can speed or slow the pace of therapy depending on a client’s needs.(COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY)

Group therapy, though effective, presents several challenges that might negatively impact the progress of therapy. Common challenges a PMHNPs can experience in group settings include broken boundaries, considering that people come from different backgrounds and have varying experiences and attitudes towards privacy, confidentiality, respect, and trust. In different circumstances, not everyone can be in agreement with a particular issue and disagreements or conflicting personalities can lead to a breach of trust and confidentiality (Shay, 2021). It is hard to prevent information leakage. Another issue is linked to fears and vulnerabilities. Some people might be uncomfortable talking about personal issues or themselves among people, especially experiences that make people feel guilt and shame. Awkwardness is common in group settings (Shay, 2021). PMHNPs can struggle to deal with unexpressed feelings, and it takes a lot of convincing and trust-building before people express themselves honestly.(COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY)

Review of Sources

Shay (2021) addresses the challenges therapists face in group therapy settings. This study is scholarly as it was written by Joseph Shay from the Harvard School of Medicine. The study is also peer-reviewed. David et al. (2018) discuss cognitive behavioral therapy. This study is scholarly as it was written by Daniel David, affiliated to the Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Romania and Department of Population Health Sciences and Policy at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States. Co-writers include Ioana Cristea and Stefan G. Hofmann affiliated to Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Romania and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States, respectively. Guo et al. (2021) compare individual and group CBT. The study is scholarly because it was written by Tingting Guo, Jing Su, Jiayi Hu, and Xinyu Zhou, affiliated to Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China, Marianne Aalberg, affiliated to Division of Mental Health Services, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway, Yinglin Zhu, affiliated to School of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Joplin, MO, United States, and Teng Teng, affiliated to Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.(COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY)

References

David, D., Cristea, I., & Hofmann, S. G. (2018). Why Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Is the Current Gold Standard of Psychotherapy. Frontiers in psychiatry, 9, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00004(COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY)

Guo, T., Su, J., Hu, J., Aalberg, M., Zhu, Y., Teng, T., & Zhou, X. (2021). Individual vs. Group Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Anxiety Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, 674267. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.674267(COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY)

Shay, J. J. (2021). Terrified of group therapy: investigating obstacles to entering or leading groups. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 74(2), 71-75.(COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY)

FAQs

What are the 5 steps of CBT?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) typically involves five main steps:

1. Assessment: The therapist and client collaboratively identify and understand the client’s specific problems and patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that contribute to their difficulties.
2. Goal Setting: Clear and realistic treatment goals are established based on the client’s concerns. These goals guide the therapy process and help track progress.(COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY)
3. Cognitive Restructuring: Clients learn to recognize and challenge negative or distorted thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress. They work to replace these thoughts with more balanced and rational alternatives.
4. Skill Building: Clients acquire practical coping skills, such as relaxation techniques, problem-solving strategies, and behavioral exercises, to effectively manage challenging situations and emotions.
5. Homework and Maintenance: Clients practice applying the skills and insights gained in therapy to their daily lives. Homework assignments encourage ongoing practice, and periodic check-ins help maintain progress and address any setbacks(COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY)

What are examples of cognitive Behaviour therapy?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a goal-oriented therapeutic approach that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. Examples of CBT techniques include cognitive restructuring, where individuals learn to challenge and replace irrational thoughts with more rational ones; exposure therapy, used to treat anxiety disorders by gradually exposing individuals to feared situations; behavioral experiments, which test the validity of negative beliefs through real-life experiences; and mindfulness training, aimed at increasing awareness of the present moment to manage stress and emotions effectively. These techniques are often combined to help individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms and improve their overall mental well-being.(COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY)

What is the main goal of cognitive therapy?

The main goal of cognitive therapy, also known as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), is to help individuals identify and modify negative thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to emotional distress and problematic behaviors. This therapeutic approach aims to promote self-awareness and empower individuals to develop healthier thought processes, leading to improved emotional well-being and more adaptive behaviors. By challenging and restructuring maladaptive cognitive patterns, cognitive therapy seeks to equip individuals with effective tools for managing various psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress.(COMPREHENSIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ON COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY)