Wilma aspires to be a mental health counselor and believes that maladaptive behaviors and emotions are the result of flawed patterns of thinking. She believes that changing these thought patterns can change the way people behave and feel. Which therapeutic approach best matches Wilma’s assumptions?
a. humanistic approach
b. psychodynamic approach
c. behavioral approach
d. cognitive approach
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is d. cognitive approach.
The cognitive approach to therapy is based on the idea that people’s thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes shape their emotions and behaviors. According to this approach, maladaptive behaviors and emotions are often the result of distorted or unhelpful patterns of thinking. By identifying and changing these negative thought patterns, individuals can improve their emotional state and behavior.
Wilma’s belief that flawed thinking patterns cause maladaptive behaviors and emotions aligns with the cognitive approach, which aims to help individuals recognize and modify negative thought processes. Cognitive therapy, developed by Aaron Beck, involves cognitive restructuring or reframing. Clients are encouraged to become aware of automatic negative thoughts and learn to replace them with more balanced and realistic thoughts. This can help individuals manage emotional distress, reduce anxiety, and cope with depressive feelings.
In contrast, the humanistic approach focuses on the individual’s capacity for self-actualization and personal growth, emphasizing a supportive, non-judgmental therapeutic relationship rather than targeting thought patterns. The psychodynamic approach centers on unconscious processes and past experiences influencing present behavior, often exploring repressed memories and unresolved conflicts. The behavioral approach emphasizes changing observable behaviors through techniques like reinforcement and conditioning, rather than directly addressing thought processes.
Thus, Wilma’s belief in changing thought patterns to alter behavior and emotions clearly reflects the cognitive approach, which is grounded in the idea that modifying one’s thinking can lead to significant improvements in both emotional and behavioral health.