COU102A - CBT and Psychodynamic Theories in Counselling Practice

This essay provides a critical evaluation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic theory as therapeutic modalities in counseling. It begins by introducing the core principles of counseling, emphasizing the importance of the counselor-client relationship. The essay then delves into CBT, explaining its focus on the interconnectedness of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and its techniques for recognizing and changing negative patterns. The benefits and drawbacks of CBT are discussed, including its effectiveness in treating certain mental health conditions and its limitations for individuals with complex needs. The essay then transitions to Psychodynamic theory, highlighting its holistic approach and emphasis on early life experiences. It explores the therapist's role in helping clients identify patterns in their emotions and beliefs, and the techniques used to promote self-awareness and understanding. The benefits and drawbacks of Psychodynamic theory are also examined, including its focus on childhood experiences and its potential for being deterministic. The essay concludes by reflecting on the author's personal experiences and the reasons for choosing these two theories, citing examples of individuals who have benefited from each approach.

Theories of
Counselling

INTRODUCTION
Counselling is skilful use of the counsellor-client relationship to assist the client in
developing self-awareness, self-esteem, and the willingness to take charge over his or her overall
life. Counselling is based on a collaborative partnership in which the counsellor uses their
experience and expertise to assist the client in exploring and comprehending their problems. This
is achieved in a stable and healthy setting, while remaining confidential and non-judgmental. The
client and the counsellor, both must write a contract covering topics like confidentiality, costs,
length of sessions, number of sessions, and any other obligations before the therapeutic
relationship can grow (Pugh, 2017). Depression, low self-esteem, domestic violence, relationship
problems, etc. may all benefit from counselling.
Theoretical frameworks for mental health therapy offer a basis for recognizing clients and
assisting them with their issues. The following hypotheses were considered in order to complete
this study: cognitive behavioural theory and Psychodynamic theory.
MAIN BODY
Skilled counsellors in their practice, use a range of therapeutic methods, and there are more
than hundred to choose from. Instead of hard facts, therapy approaches are focused on
hypotheses regarding human function and transformation. Since there are so many factors to
consider in the therapy phase, determining whether one counselling strategy works better than
another is challenging. When using the same statistical model to compare the effectiveness of
two counsellors, for example, Owing to inconsistencies in the participants' experiences and
conditions, there may be major variations in the therapy results, differences in the method of
counsellors’ communication styles, and also mood variations between the client and the
counsellor on the comparison day. Such differences make performing research challenging,
making it even more difficult to determine which therapy method is the most effective.
There are several forms of psychological therapy, each with its own philosophy and beliefs
as to how people function (Surley and Dagnan, 2019). The cognitive behavioural therapy model
has a range of core insights that differentiate it from most therapies. Cognitive behavioural
interpretations and therapies have been built on the basis of these theories.
Cognitive behavioural therapies, or CBT, are a group of talking therapies focused around
the idea that our emotions, feelings, actions, and bodily sensations are all connected. If we

change one of these, the others will change as well. When people are anxious or upset, they often
slip into thought and responding habits that exacerbate their feelings. CBT aims to assist us in
recognizing and changing negative thought or behaviour patterns so that we can feel better. CBT
has a variety of tactics that can support you right now.
Individuals are sometimes faced with feelings and thoughts that reinforces and also
sometimes may enhance false beliefs. Such beliefs can contribute to problematic behaviour in
various number of areas of life, which includes, family problems, such problems that relates to
romantic relationships, problems relating to work, and education problem. There are a variety of
CBT methods to choose from. To learning how various different ideas, emotions, and also the
situations, that can lead to behaviour which is impulsive, is critical (Switzer and Harper, 2019).
It's crucial to recognize negative thinking for this. The said process although can be challenging,
It may eventually lead to self and reflections, which are vital to the recovery process, particularly
for people who have trouble with self-reflection.
CBT usually includes efforts to change thinking patterns. Some of these include: First,
recognizing and analysing one's own perceptual and cognitive biases all of which are causing
issues, as well as re-evaluating them in light of what happened. Second, gaining a better
understanding of the motivations and behaviours of others. Third, using problem-solving skills to
deal with difficult problems. Last, it would be beyond one’s self-abilities, and therefore must
learn to build trust. CBT usually includes efforts to change a person's behaviour patterns. This
include: Firstly, rather than avoiding one's doubts, one should confront them (Khantzian, 2021).
Secondly, role-playing can be used to prepare for potentially difficult encounters with others and
lastly, developing the ability to relax one's mind and body.
The following are a few of the theory's benefits: To begin with, it has the potential to be as
effective as medicine in the treatment of certain mental health conditions, it may also be helpful
in cases where treatment has failed. Second, in order to shift how a person thinks, this theory
focuses on re-training thoughts and changing behaviours. Finally, since CBT is highly organized,
in numerous ways, deliveries can be made, which includes working in groups, books relating to
self-help, and computer related programs (Hales and Fossey, 2018). Finally, The skills of CBT
are useful, they are realistic, and also supportive tools even after care is finished, that can be
incorporated into daily life to help you cope better with potential pressures and challenges

Above discussed counselling theory has a number of drawbacks in addition to its many
advantages. They are as follows: To begin with, because of CBT's organized nature, people with
more complex mental health needs or learning disabilities may not be able to use it. Second, even
though CBT can entail confronting your emotions and negative feelings, an individual may
experience periods of increased anxiety or emotional discomfort at first (Miller and McNaught,
2018). Third, CBT mainly discusses about the existing and current concerns and keeps it focus
on particular issues; but it does not discuss the root causes of such mental illnesses, such as a
those problems that lead to the traumatic childhood and now such an adulthood.
Psychodynamic therapy is commonly known as "global therapy," or it is such a therapy that
keeps it focus on the holistic perspective of its clients. Alternative, "problem-based" approaches,
such as cognitive behavioral therapy, seek to alleviate or eliminate symptoms rather than resolve
the client's underground needs, urges, and expectations. This leads to major variations in goals,
strategies, and overall strategy between these therapies. Dynamic psychotherapy, which helps a
patient to recreate his personal story, picture of themselves, past, current, and future, does seem
to be better suited to handle the complexity of a person's perception than behavioural therapy.
Psychodynamic therapists assist clients to recognize patterns in their emotions, beliefs, and
principles in order to gain more insight through their current self. According to the theory of
psychodynamic which holds that the early experiences of life have a huge impact on an adult's
psychological growth and functioning, these trends, most of the time are discovered to begin in a
very young of at the childhood of the client. Psychodynamic counselling helps to assist the client
in identifying and rearranging crucial jigsaw pieces that make them who or what they are, that
allows the client in forming a more of an integrated and optimistic sense of one self (Hewison,
2018). Main primary objectives of the therapy of psychodynamic are to increase self-awareness
of the client and also to promote comprehension of the thoughts of the client, including
emotions, and beliefs of the client with reference to their bad or negative experiences of the past,
most importantly those as a kid. The therapist does this through leading their client from an
exploration of problems which are unresolved and are significant incidents in the history of their
clients.
Nondirective counselling is used by certain counsellors, psychotherapists, and other
therapeutic practitioners. This ensures that they can allow the client to share thoughts and
emotions while listening and looking for answers to the problem or issue's root cause. This

observation provides both the client and the counsellor with a wealth of knowledge. Other
therapists may prefer to operate in a more directive way, guiding and leading the client through
particular areas of conversation about behaviour patterns, concerns, and issues. Since
psychodynamic therapy is a time-consuming and thorough procedure, a client might be asked to
commit to a long-term counselling relationship.
Counselling with a psychodynamic approach can take several forms. There are, however,
some main concepts that give counsellors the best resources for providing the kind of
constructive advice that leads to a good counselling outcome for their clients. The assumption
that psychotherapy starts with a client's early childhood experiences is one of them. Second, the
belief that all internal interactions are linked to interpersonal relationships. Third, free-
association and other approaches may be used to provide additional knowledge, comprehension,
and problem-solving opportunities (Leonidak, Lemma and Hobbis, 2018). Finally, understanding
the importance of wisdom in order to make meaningful change and gain success in counselling.
The Psychodynamic Theory of Counselling has many benefits, including an emphasis it
have upon the experiences of childhood while they initially were developing their personalities.
Second, it prompted many other psychologists, to establish other theories. One such psychologist
was Piaget, who established Development theory which was related to the childhood theory.
Finally, it considers both nature and nurture. ID, Ego, Super Ego, and so on are examples of
nature, while Parents, Childhood Memories, and so on are examples of nurture. The said theory,
in addition to having advantages, also has certain drawbacks. They are as follows: Since the
conclusions cannot be objectively measured or proven false, the hypothesis is falsifiable
(Auchincloss, 2019). The theory is deterministic, implying that people's actions are
predetermined and they lack free will.
Due to various personal experiences and factors that I have encountered in my life, I have
chosen the above-mentioned theories, namely cognitive behavioural theory and psychodynamic
theory, to complete the study.
After getting divorce from an alcoholic and physically abusive husband, I know a well-
educated woman who moved from her home town to our neighbour. She was feeling a lot of
sorrow, remorse, and grief over leaving her husband, friends, and fulfilling job. She shared her
experience to me after she recovered and we became friends. She went to counselling and was
given psychodynamic therapy as a form of treatment (Markin and McCarthy, 2020). This theory

assisted her in rewriting her life story, self-image, current and past, and future, and it seems to be
the best fit for discussing the complexity of her experience.
The reason for choosing cognitive behavioural theory is not similar to other one, but instead
is related to my best friend, who was suffering from depression. Her father was having an affair
with another woman, and as a result, he abandoned her and her mother when she was just eight
years old. She did not return to the incident after that. She had a lot of mood swings after her
father left, and after meeting with a psychiatrist, she was prescribed antidepressants at a young
age. Her actions began to change quickly. In her youth, this problem was briefly solved with
medications, but it left her fearful. She is now a university student, but she nevertheless suffers
from depression from time to time without knowing why. I advised her to speak with a
psychiatrist or counsellor. She went to a few counselling sessions and saw some improvements.
She kept on with her treatment. She told me her story after she recovered from depression,
including how she was handled and what questions she was asked. She also told me about her
treatment, which was cognitive behavioural therapy.
Professional counsellors use a variety of methods to help their clients. Each one is based on
a particular philosophy and set of theories, and therapists and counsellors who use it will treat
concerns and issues differently. Both of these methods supports a variety of different therapies.
Some therapies can incorporate concepts from multiple approaches. Some trained counsellors
use only one tool, while others are more adaptable and can use methods from several approaches.
CONCLUSION
It is concluded from the above study that, Individuals suffering from depression also
experience difficulties with everyday activities, job performance, and interpersonal relationships.
In coping with depression, anxiety, and isolation, a cognitive behavioural case work intervention
proved to be successful. Dealing with depression cases using Cognitive Behavioural Case Work
may be successful. Under the care and direction of a psychiatric social worker, CBT-based case
work may be practiced. Psychodynamic therapy is in which, giving patients a clearer
understanding of their unconscious emotions, perceptions, and past experiences, this treatment
approach allows them to see what is causing their problems. People who improve their
psychological skills make better decisions and feel better in the long run.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Auchincloss, E.L., 2019. Psychodynamic Approaches to Behavioral Change.
Hales, S.A. and Fossey, J., 2018. Caring For Me and You: the co-production of a computerised
cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) package for carers of people with dementia. Aging
& mental health, 22(10), pp.1287-1294.
Hewison, D., 2018. “Psychodynamic therapy: as efficacious as other empirically supported
treatments? A meta-analysis testing equivalence of outcome. Couple and Family
Psychoanalysis, 8(1), pp.74-76.
Khantzian, E.J., 2021. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. The American Psychiatric Association
Publishing Textbook of Substance Use Disorder Treatment.
Leonidaki, V., Lemma, A. and Hobbis, I., 2018. The active ingredients of dynamic interpersonal
therapy (DIT): an exploration of clients’ experiences. Psychoanalytic
Psychotherapy, 32(2), pp.140-156.
Markin, R.D. and McCarthy, K.S., 2020. The process and outcome of psychodynamic
psychotherapy for pregnancy after loss: A case study analysis. Psychotherapy, 57(2),
p.273.
Miller, E. and McNaught, A., 2018. Exploring decision making around therapist self‐disclosure
in cognitive behavioural therapy. Australian Psychologist, 53(1), pp.33-39.
Pugh, M., 2017. Chairwork in cognitive behavioural therapy: A narrative review. Cognitive
Therapy and Research, 41(1), pp.16-30.
Surley, L. and Dagnan, D., 2019. A review of the frequency and nature of adaptations to
cognitive behavioural therapy for adults with Intellectual Disabilities. Journal of Applied
Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 32(2), pp.219-237.
Switzer, F. and Harper, S.F., 2019. A narrative review of the barriers to the implementation of
cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis. Psychosis, 11(2), pp.151-161.