Research Paper on Psychotherapy

Chapter 1: Introduction

Psychotherapy is the practice of guiding and counseling to individuals with mental disorders using different designed psychotherapy theories and standards of practice. The objective of psychotherapy is to provide psychological relief, minimize the future development of the similar illness, promote quality of life and increase the healthy relationship between the patient, the family, and the community members. The ability of a psychotherapist to effectively collaborate with the client is a favorite topic of discussion in psychotherapy practice because it influences the quality of counseling outcome. According to Depreeuw, Eldar, Conroy and Hofmann (2017) the success of the treatment process varies from one client to another due to a difference in response and personal behaviors. As a result of these, it is critical for a psychotherapist to understand the client's behavioral pattern and establish a vital bond to suppress the symptoms of the mental disorder. The objective of this paper is to explore the importance of bonding between the psychotherapist and the client in promoting psychological health using psychotherapist theories.

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Chapter 2: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

2.1. Cognitive Learning

A psychotherapist can use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to establish the better relationship with the client. According to Hofmann, Dozois, Rief and Smits (2014), CBT involves the understanding of the client perception and interpretation of the external events to develop a robust treatment counseling plan. It also requires awareness of the client's emotional responses. CBT fundamentally emanates from the learning concept and behavioral theories. By using the behavioral model, a person's behavior is shaped through life experiences; therefore, in the practice of psychotherapy, desired behaviors are achieved through the learning process. According to a research conducted by Pavlov on conditioning stimulus and associative learning, a client will exhibit conditioned response once associated with the conditioned stimulus (Levis, 2017). It was an experimental neurosis that required continuous reinforcement. Albert B. supported Pavlov thought of conditioning reaction by emphasizing constant reinforcement to avoid extinction of the conditioned response (Levis, 2017). Therefore the use of Behavioral therapy is still widespread in the current clinical practice because it lays a foundation on how to collect behavioral information from the client and to reinforce it through conditioning to ensure the psychopathology process is a success. The current literature in the use of behavioral therapy requires a psychotherapist to understand the consequences and functions of specific behavior to an individual. Thus, the ultimate goal of a therapist is to ensure that a client learns to react differently to a given scenario such as overcoming anxiety.

2.2. Cognitive Influence

Besides learning through association, cognitive influence is another critical factor in behavioral therapy. The role of mental and thought process is keenly monitored by a psychotherapist to determine client's cognitive attributes. The use of cognitive therapy in a person-centered treatment is motivated by the belief that cognitive interpretations affect behavior and emotional reactions; it is because of these individual schemas that people interpret things differently and establish core beliefs. However, under the cognitive therapy, therapist mostly uses behavioral activities and Socratic approach to determine a person's misrepresentation in reasoning in a set context. After identifying these irrational thoughts in a given context, a psychotherapist will be able to cater to the different emotional responses through the conceptualization of the highlighted cognitive hypotheses. The concept of cognitive therapy is significant in establishing a significant relationship between the client and psychotherapist because it is easy to ascertain basic attitudes. According to De Houwer, Teige-Mocigemba, Spruyt and Moors (2009), implicit attitudes can be determined through priming, subconscious perception, and attention bias. Instead of a psychotherapist questioning the client about their thoughts and feelings, cognitive processes are read through behavioral response. In general, the use of CBT helps the psychotherapist to understand and apply standard interventions in controlling problematic cognitive behaviors. The success of the CBT requires a therapist to determine what is of the essence to the client such as the client expectations. Once the goals of a client are identified, a clear psychotherapy path of achieving this is set and communicated to the client. Additionally, better relationships are established under CBT through transparency on psychotherapist techniques. Besides, a psychotherapist acts as a personal trainer who needs to show compassion, support, and empathy during therapy sessions.

2.3. Contemporary CBT Approaches

2.3.1. Mindfulness-Based Approach

Through the use of Mindfulness-Based Therapy (MBT), it is possible to achieve good rapport between the client and the psychotherapist. Mindfulness involves recognition of the client's feelings, mental and physical sensations to develop a culture of openness, acceptance, and curiosity. The concept of MBT encourages a client to consider problematic perceptions as usual and manageable (Depreeuw et al., 2017). MBT is different from traditional CBT because it does not explore the structure and functioning of the mind in a given situation. MBT also does not aim at transforming a client's behavior but rather establish a decisive way of managing the problematic cognitive behavior. The central idea of MBT is that cognitive and behavioral responses occur differently, thus, reinforcing the client's knowledge of these responses leads to the willingness to control and accept intuitive perceptions (Depreeuw et al., 2017). More so, the client learns how to internalize the mental problem and use appropriate mindfulness decision to overcome the negative episodes of the psychological disorder.

2.3.2. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Apart from MBT technique on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) allows clients to explore their values during the emergence of mental disorder symptom. The ACT is a concept founded by Steven Hayes that promotes better rapport and treatment outcomes. It is the best approach in solving inner sensations because it allows clients to develop problem-solving skills under minimal intervention of the psychotherapist.

2.3.3. Psycho-Education

Psycho-education is one of the major approaches in CBT practice. The method is significant in maintaining a cordial relationship with the client at the onset of the therapy program. It is mandatory under the psycho-education approach for a psychotherapist to disseminate all necessary information to the client regarding the diagnosis program. At this stage, the client gains knowledge on how to present problematic cognitive behaviors through interactive conversation with the respective psychotherapist. Additionally, the client can develop a feeling of acceptance leading to a shared understanding of the problem and adherence to the suggested therapy plan (Depreeuw et al., 2017).

2.3.4. Contingency Management

Apart from the use of psycho-education, contingency management is another critical approach to CBT practice that leads to positive relations in treatment processes. Contingency management is primarily used in fixing maladaptive traits through operant conditioning. Under this approach, adaptive characteristics are reinforced by using rewards while maladaptive actions are avoided using punishment such as denial of privileges. According to empirical research by Levis (2017) on the significance of contingency approach, the concept is helpful in treating children with ADHD problem as well as addiction disorders.

Chapter 3: Person-Centered Therapy

Apart from the use of CBT practice in improving quality of treatment outcome through cordial relationships, Person-Centered Therapy, a humanistic technique is crucial in promoting healthy relations and positive treatment outcomes (Schmid, 2018). Rogers, a therapist in 1951 developed the Person-Centered Approach. Under a humanistic approach, every individual must account for their actions and lives. The role of the psychotherapist under this approach is that of a facilitator and information disseminator. The psychotherapist has no authority to dictate behavior changes but instead grants the patient the freedom to choose the right intervention plan. The humanistic approach is a client-centered intervention that allows him or her to set goals that will lead to a healthy life. It is, therefore, the ultimate goal of a psychotherapist to create an unconditioned environment that leads to personal growth and development. More so, offer regular advice that would influence the client to accept and appease internal sensations in a more positive experience. The theoretical structure of the Person-Centered Approach is that a person experiences inner feelings through self and create a continuum of personal beliefs and perceptions. The personal opinions and judgments describe the self -image (real self) and perfect-self. According to Rogers, people struggle to create a balance between the real-self and perfect-self in ordinary lives (Schmid, 2018). Therefore, in circumstances where a person has congruence between ideal-self and self-image, he or she has a high sense of personal value. Additionally, Rogers believes that all human beings strive to make the highest expectation in life. Thus, the ability of the psychotherapist to support the client to self-actualize leads to better treatment plan and potentially good bonding. Self-actualization, therefore, requires a therapist to provide a positive environment that would lead to proper functioning and understanding of internal sensations of a client (Schmid, 2018). Furthermore, the therapist should be sensitive to the non-directive role to ensure relevant advice is relayed to the client to meet his or her mental and physical needs.

Chapter 4: South Africa Mental Health Issues

Historically, South Africa recorded a high rate of community mental health negligence increasing the vulnerability of the disability population. For example, in 2016, a total of 37 individual with mental disorders died under mysterious circumstances after being admitted to a community mental health facility for four months (Kaminer, Eagle & Crawford-Browne, 2018). Currently, the community mental health services have improved significantly leading compared to the last decade. Better policies such as the Mental Health Act and the National Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategic Plan have increased the rights of people with mental disorders. The underprivileged due to mental disorders enjoy similar rights as ordinary citizens. However, inabilit...