W12-Therapy Modality Incorporation in Practice

When I finish the program, I plan to work with clients suffering with anxiety and depression. When dealing with those conditions, I plan to use a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy and motivational interviewing.

I am drawn to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as it is used to have the client focus on their self-talk. CBT is used to treat depression, anxiety, social anxiety and couples and family therapy, among others. CBT has 3 phases: self-observation, starting a new internal dialog, learning new skills. When dealing with anxiety and depression I feel the self-talk has a lot to do with how we feel. If I can help clients identify their self-talk and help them to change that talk to a more positive talk would be ideal. Most time we don’t realize our own negative self-talk and it becomes a habit over time.

I am also drawn to solution-focused therapy. This therapy style has the client focus on the here and now and to identify what actions that can be taken now to address the issue. It also focuses on the positive opposed to harping on the negative. I like how it acknowledges that yes there is a problem, but what are the good things that the client is doing. I like how it gives support and positive regards to the client, i.e., yes, you’re depressed but you are an excellent student.

I am also drawn to motivation interviewing (MI). MI practitioners believe in the client’s abilities, strengths, resources, and competencies. With MI, the therapists help the client to commit to change and assist them in implementing a change plan. Many times, with anxiety and depression, the person does not want to change or feel that a change is not needed. Hopefully I will be able to help the client realize that change is needed and help them to identify and implement positive changes.