Behavioral Theory (Essay Sample)

Benchmark Professional Theoretical Approach To Counseling Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Course Instructor’s Name Due Date Benchmark Professional Theoretical Approach To Counseling In psychotherapy, counseling involves helping clients improve their well-being, resolve their distress, and improve their functioning by adopting informed and sensitive techniques. Zyromsk et al. (2018) recommend using evidence-based practices whose implementation is encouraged in most counselor education training programs. Although multiple evidence-based interventions exist for helping clients, they are affiliated with pedagogical counseling models. A counselor must identify an appropriate counseling model that aligns with a preferred approach. In this view, my preferred didactic model for counseling is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a widely used framework in psychotherapy, hence argued to be the gold standard. According to David et al. (2018), the approach combines cognitive and behavioral practices to help clients. Since CBT aligns with my professional/personal counseling style, exploring its application in counseling is vindicated. Relationship Building and Assessment CBT has an excellent reputation for treating multiple conditions in a counseling setting. When helping clients, therapists are encouraged to establish a therapeutic relationship in the initial sessions. In CBT, a therapeutic relationship encourages participation, engagement, and execution of skill-building tasks (Wilmots et al., 2020). When working with this model, I would develop a positive therapeutic relationship by being there for the client, attuning to their emotional state, challenging beliefs that could interfere with thought patterns, and encouraging them to persuade helpful alternatives to address presenting problems. A therapeutic relationship in CBT is necessary since it cultivates trust. Trust established through a therapeutic relationship helps clients share their concerns without feeling limited or judged. Such an observation aligns with the conception of unconditional positive regard, which is the basis of Rogers’ approach to therapy (Wilmots et al., 2020). Assessing the client’s needs and therapeutic progress is vital when working with this counseling model. I would thoroughly evaluate the client in the initial session using the CBT model. The assessment would focus on different areas. The first area of focus is exploring the presenting problems that inform the client’s relationship with others and their life situation. Next would be assessing instances of altered thinking based on the presenting issues. Evaluating how thought causes altered emotions and physical feelings would also inform the assessment. David et al. (2018) acknowledge that altered thinking causes disruptive emotions and physical feelings. Before developing a treatment plan, I will also relate the emotions with changing behavioral patterns. The client’s therapeutic progress will be assessed during treatment, and appropriate feedback will be given. Assessments in the course of counseling help to know the effectiveness of the approach giving room for improvement. Goal setting is a critical consideration in treatment planning. Setting clear and attainable goals extends the initial assessment in the first session (Glombiewski et al., 2018). Setting clear goals has multiple benefits, including motivating the client’s involvement, helping clarify presenting problems, progress evaluation, and overall treatment assessment. I would encourage collaboration and equal participation in creating goals when working with a client using CBT. Renger and Macaskill (2021) encourage a collaborative approach in goal setting as the foundation of behavior change using appropriate therapeutic models, precisely CBT. Although CBT guarantees excellent outcomes when working with clients diagnosed with different mental disorders (Corey, 2021), there are some limitations when creating measurable goals. A potential limitation would be the counselor imposing their beliefs about cognitive distortions and disruptive behaviors. Ethical and Biblical Principles Ethical Principles and Considerations Ethical concerns should be considered for the client’s well-being in every counseling setting. Several principles underpin the ethical conduct of counselors regardless of the counseling model in practice. Autonomy is one principle that guides a counselor’s ethical conduct. The principle requires counselors to respect their client’s independence and determination, thus giving them the liberty of choice and action (Jamal et al., 2020). Counselors should encourage their client’s autonomy by explaining how their decisions will impact the treatment process. However, clients lacking the ability to make intelligent choices should not be allowed to make decisions. The following principle that guides ethical conduct is confidentiality. According to Lloyd-Hazlett et al. (2017), confidentiality is the foundation of an effective counseling process. The ACA Code upholds that client confidentiality should be observed. However, there are instances where counselors may break the principle of confidentiality when there is informed consent, precisely when working with minors. Christian Worldview and Biblical Integrations The foundations of CBT align with my Christian worldview on how thinking affects behavioral manifestations. Multiple bible verses challenge individuals thinking patterns as they relate to their behaviors. Proverbs 4:23, for instance, cautions individuals about their thinking since it affects their life. Integrating this bible verse in a psychoeducation session with clients would help modify their cognitive processes about various facets of life. However, assessing the client’s faith is necessary before integrating spirituality and religiosity. Interventional studies have vindicated the relevance ...