Counselling in a community service setting

Running head: COUNSELING IN A COMMUNITY SERVICE SETTING
Counselling in a community service setting
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Counselling in a community service setting
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Counselling is an emerging solution to the problem of decreased mental well being and
anxiety that most of the people face today. A study by Bannink claims that proper counselling
from trained individuals has helped people lead better lives and helped them in being better
individuals (Bannink,2013). There are various psychological intervention theories used by the
counselors word wide. However, the psychological theory that is used here for the community
service setting is cognitive behavioural theory. Cognitive behavioural theory has proven to be
very helpful in improving problems like post-traumatic stress, anxiety disorder, depression and
addiction (Cuijpers et al., 2014). The essay talks about the various aspects of cognitive
behavioural therapy and the various steps and processes involved in it. This essay deals with how
cognitive behavioural theory helps in changing certain behaviour and improving the mental and
behavioural patterns of the patient. This piece aims to reflect my experience in a counselling role
and the relevance of my treatment in enhancing the client’s condition.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is used for treating a number of mental health problems of
an individual. Cognitive behavioural therapy is now recommended by the government of the UK
(Naeem et al., 2015). Cognitive behavioural therapy is a process that is formulated by
combining two theory, namely; behavioural theory and cognitive therory. Cognitive behavioral
theory has principles which are an amalgamation of the principles of both behavioural theory and
cognitive theory. The cognitive behavioural theory also called CBT, is an unconventional theory.
Here the practitioner does not have to look for or analyse the unconscious behaviour of the
patient because this approach is more problem-specific and action-based. This theory is used by
counsellors first to identify the destructive behaviour of a patient and then to modify and change
their behaviour, so they lead a more productive life. This theory of counselling aims to improve
the problematic thoughts, behaviour, attitude and believes and maintain emotional stability in an

Counselling in a community service setting
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individual. The cognitive behavioural theory works on the belief that an individual's thoughts
and believes determine his or her responses in life. Cognitive Behavioural therapy states the
following three main facts. Firstly, Cognitive processes can be known and gain access to,
secondly, thoughts and beliefs of an individual shape the way a person understands and
processes situations and that eventually affects the responses of a person. Lastly, maladaptive
cognition or irrational believes that hamper the growth of a person can be modified and changed
into a constructive direction which will enable positive growth and constructive behaviour. In the
process of cognitive behavioural therapy, individuals are not seen as passive people who just
respond to environmental cues and unpleasant past experiences, but, they are seen as active
individuals who have the capability to shape their lives in a constructive way. According to a
study, Cognitive behavioral theory is especially helpful in the treatment of mental illness
(Rathod et al.,2015). A study also confirms that Cognitive Behavioral therapy has cured many
people who were addicted to drugs and alcohol (Gega, Smith & Rynolds,2013). Cognitive
behavioural therapy helps a person change his or her perspective and outlook towards looking at
a particular situation. It helps people look at the situations or broadly the world in a positive
outlook. Cognitive behavioural theory recognizes and understands the fact that not all individuals
go through same situations in life and some people might end up being stuck in a never-ending
cycle of negative actions , negative outlook, negative behaviour and destructive life choices. This
process makes the client feel empowered and confident about the fact that they can make their
own decision and choices towards improving life. This makes the client feel less clueless about
his condition my identification of the problems and step by step solution to the problem.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a quick process with only ten to fifteen session with the
counsellor, and this makes the method more popular.