W6-CBT Case Study Discussion

Post#1 by Pragna Patel-CBT Case Study Discussion

What might cognitive-behavioral techniques be appropriate to use with Alana as she explores her frustration and anger related to stressors?

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) works for anxiety, depression, and many other psychological disorders. I would use the Cognitive Restructuring technique to help Alana recognize dysfunctional thought patterns and develop rational, grounded ways of understanding challenging situations. It is a different way of thinking. I would advise Alana to track down her thoughts in difficult situations, identify cognitive distortions, and engage in behavioral experiments to test out if her thoughts are true. I would use Graded Exposure Assignments to address Alana’s fear. She said she felt irritability and fear. She probably fears facing her brother because her brother sounds like she does not want to accept other cultures and strictly follow her own Muslim culture and beliefs. Alana is more modernized and wants to enjoy the new American culture. Still, she feels guilty regarding not following her cultural beliefs because she may find them unnecessary, like using dresses that cover the whole body. I would use the activity scheduling technique to get Alana to engage in relaxation activities like meditating, going for a walk, or working on a project. It increases the likelihood of their getting done. This would help Alan’s depressive mood and avoidance in engaging with others. Working on the project would help to increase her concentration. She might feel the joy of finishing something as an achievement. The majority time, when we make a schedule, we follow easily almost feel like we have to do this, but if we do not schedule an activity, then we might do it or might not. Skill training technique would be helpful for Alana how to interact with her family instead of finding them irritating and avoiding them. It provides skills training include social skills training, communication training, and assertiveness training. It will be taught by direct instruction, modeling, role-plays, and problem-solving therapy (Cognitive Behavior Therapy Techniques).

How would you use cognitive behavioral therapy techniques in a culturally/gender-sensitive manner to address Alana's feelings about being a woman as a minority in the finance industry?

Culture and gender are sensitive issues. The diversity among individuals living in the United States has increased and does create confusion between two cultures, especially kids and young adults. It is important to find out what the norms are in their culture. It is also important to find out what Alana wants to achieve to follow her culture and if she wants to stay engaged with her family because we cannot change the culture even though things are not right, like to dress or men are more important. I would keep in mind to stay culturally sensitive, respect her beliefs, acknowledge her generational influences, age, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation. Her brother has started taking house responsibility at an earlier age. He is older than Alana, so there is a gap between how they think and believe in keeping their culture intact. Brother appears using his power because he is older and working for a family as a man. Power is the ability to decide who has access to resources, and in this case, the brother has more power than Alana due to gender and age. Privilege is characterized by the advantages and benefits afforded to members of the dominant group in society, and in this case, the brother has more power automatically. It is a patriarchal society. It is not right, but it might be the norm in their culture, and as a clinician, I have to address it very gently. Cultural competency is essential to help a diverse population (NCBI., 2014).

How might the principles from CBT be applied to the case study?

Counseling is the ability to connect with clients and understand influences. The main principle is to develop a good client-therapist relationship regardless of culture. This would help a client to trust the clinical and able to share own feelings and thought. I would focus on working together and getting Alana to participate in recommended activities. I would help her reach a small goal and address her problem area with sensitivity. I would try to stay focus on the present and try Alana to stay focus on the present, too (10 Principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Cbt), n.d.)

References

(2014). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4225557/Enhancing the Cultural Sensitivity of Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Anxiety in Diverse Populations

Cognitive behavior therapy techniques. (n.d.). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Los Angeles. https://cogbtherapy.com/cognitive-behavior-therapy-techniques

10 principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (cbt). (n.d.). http://brownbackmason.com/articles/10-principles-of-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-cbt