Comparing and Contrasting Cognitive Behavioural Theory and Psychodynamic Theory in Counselling

Running Head : PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology
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PSYCHOLOGY2
Topic- Individual essay comparing and contrasting two different theories in counselling
The Psychotherapy theories help to give a framework to the therapists and the
counsellors for interpreting the behaviour, feelings, and thoughts. These are necessary for
navigating the journey of a client from diagnosis to post-treatment. The theoretical approaches
can be considered as an essential part of the entire therapeutic process (Capuzzi & Stauffer,
2016). Various theories of counselling help the practitioners in working with their clients and
have positive outcomes. There are various theories of counselling. This essay will compare and
contrast the cognitive behavioural theory and the psychodynamic theory
The human behaviour is found to be the enigma. The behaviour of a person is recognized
by the individual thought process, response to certain situation and emotional quotient. Hence, it
is important to understand what cognitive behaviour all about is. The cognitive psychology is
found to be a huge subject which deals with the cognitive behaviour(Grzanka, Santos & Moradi,
2017). The subject concentrates on the way people think, then way they perceive from vision
and hearing and the way they react to a particular stimuli. In simple words, the cognitive
behavioural therapy is also closely related with the linguistics, neuroscience and philosophy.
This theory deal with the enhancement of decisive ability of a specific person and also the
capacity to retain the memory. Albert Ellis revealed that cognitive thought process in a human
being is more determined by the beliefs which are mostly irrational. In the late 1960s, Aaron
Beck who was a well-known psychiatrist explored the untouched arenas of the human
personality as procrastination and depression (Sharf, 2015). He came up with the cognitive
behavioural therapy to treat those patients suffering from anxiety disorders and depression. This
theory has also been used for the development of modern day cognitive behavioural therapies.

PSYCHOLOGY3
On the other hand, the psychodynamic theory concentrates on the unconscious thought of
individuals which stem from the childhood experiences affecting the present thoughts and
behaviors of them. The particular urge which drive people to emanate from the unconscious and
people are driven by those repeat the behaviour patterns. The therapy consists of the analysis of
transference and resistance, and free association too(Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan,
2018). It further covers the dream interpretation and is a long term process. Its specific goal is
to transform the unconscious a conscious for the client to gain proper insight. This approach
consists of all the theories in the field of psychology which perceive the human functioning
founded on the interactions of forces and drives within a person.
The originator of this theory is Sigmund Freud. The psychoanalysis has been considered
as the original psychodynamic theory. However, the approach of psychodynamics as a whole
consists of all the theories that were based on the ideas. There are some confusions regarding
psychoanalytic and psychodynamic. The theories of Freud were psychoanalytic but the term
psychodynamic suggests the theories and the followers of the theories. The psychoanalysis of
Freud is a theory and a therapy too.
In short, the cognitive behavioural theory is a study that is quite descriptive regarding the
way the concept of cognition has a significant role in determination of the behavioural patterns
of a specific person. The goal of the cognitive behaviour theory is to understand the way people
get back to doing what they want to do, how they can get their daily lives back and things which
they enjoy (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2016). It is also aimed at helping people to solve the problems in
their lives and reduce negativity from their lives. This theory is further concentrated on the
adapting things which are happening to them and adjust their behaviour according to the
problems. This leads people to become more productive and more positive.