Introduction
“There’s a saying that says, ‘Hurt people, hurt people’. But I rarely hear the opposite,
‘Healed people, heal people’. Get healed. Then go heal” (author unknown). Cognitive-
Behavioral therapy is a theoretical approach to psychotherapy. Cognitive-Behavioral therapists
work jointly with clients to recognize the maladaptive cognitive themes that adversely impact his
or her emotions and behaviors. Cognitive-Behavioral therapy’s intention is to ultimately
exchange one’s maladaptive and self-defeating psychical schema with a more constructive and
acclimating construct. This psychotherapeutic approach understands a person’s cognitions,
sensibilities, and functions are interconnected (Tan, 2022).
Human Nature
As humans, every individual possesses the capability to change and choose his or her
actions. An individual’s behavior is influenced by several factors. An individual’s genetic make-
up can place a person at a predisposition for certain behaviors. These heritable behaviors interact
with the individual’s societal, cultural, environmental, and internal influences to create his or her
schema. The individual’s schema processes information from the stimulus within the
environmental context and influences how the individual will react to the stimuli (Andre &
Baumeister, 2023).
Conventionally, a human’s cerebrum is wired for connectedness and belonging (Martino
et. al, 2015). When an individual experiences discommodious stimulation, it triggers the
cerebrum to rely on its instinctual neuroplasticity resulting in the rewiring of itself for protection
and survival. This can result in behavioral changes (Cross et. al, 2017). This is not to convey that
an individual is not in control of his or her behavior, just that his or her behavior is influenced.
Similarly, Cognitive-Behavioral theoretical approach views human nature in that regard.
Cognitive-Behavioral theory asserts that individuals are born as a blank canvas. His or her
behavior is influenced through the individual’s schema within his or her environmental contexts.
Cognitive-Behavioral hold the belief that individuals can control his or her behaviors and modify
cognitions, emotions, and behaviors (Tan, 2022).
Personal Background
The two of the most important and undoubtedly the most influential people in my life
told me “Life is like a game of cards. No matter how great or terrible the hand, you have to play
the cards you’re dealt”. If life were a game of poker, I was dealt a few uno cards and Pokémon
cards, but I always had my pocket Aces-my grandparents. It is important that I stress that I had a
great childhood. I was and am loved beyond measure and afforded the best opportunities in life.
With that being said, I lived with my grandparents my entire life. While my father was chasing
women, my mother was chasing her addiction. Unfortunately, I can’t recall most of my
childhood. I was told that it is a defense mechanism of the animalistic part of my brain.
Nonetheless, I engaged in reactive and risky behaviors with the inability to healthily
cope. One day, that came to an immediate stop. At sixteen, I sat in my room terrified as I stared
at the two pink lines. My thoughts and feelings shifted from being angry about my circumstances
to focusing on raising my daughter while simultaneously creating a better future for her.
Cognitive-Behavioral therapy fits my perspective framework best because I, too, believe that
people act instinctively based on how he or she processes the stimuli withing his or her induvial
context. As I previously illustrated, behaviors are influenced by thoughts and feelings, but a
person has the capability to control behaviors.
Relationship Building and Assessment
A working therapeutic relationship is necessary, but successful therapy is not contingent
upon it. A positive therapeutic alliance is necessary for some techniques employed in this
theoretical approach (Corey, 2021). Personally, I would give precedence to rapport building,
shared decision-making, psychoeducation, and structure to establish a therapeutic alliance. To
build rapport and trust, I would actively listen to the individual and appropriately use self-
disclosure. I would collaborate with the client in creating goals to ensure the compatibility with
his or her sociocultural context and simultaneously empower him or her.
Furthermore, I would explain the principles of Cognitive-Behavioral therapy, any
techniques that will be utilized, and the therapeutic process to demonstrate transparency and
foster trust. Lastly, I would consistently maintain structure. This provides the client with a sense
of familiarity which, in turn, promotes security and trust. With this foundation, my client will
feel more comfortable disclosing information as I form the client’s case conceptualization in
which I will assess his or her needs utilizing the Inverted Pyramid model. I assess the client’s
needs by acquiring as much insight as possible by assessing the presenting problem in terms of
behavior, cognitions, affect, and physiology; areas of adjustment such as life role and social;
cultural and social influences; family dynamic, developmental history and factors, any
observations noted, psychological assessments and mental status exam to categorize it by themes
through one of the four approaches.
Following the categorization of theoretical constellations, I further interpret or explain the
root cause of the client’s initial problem to begin his or her treatment plan (Schwitzer & Rubin,
2014). To track the progress of the therapeutic process, we must set realistic goals formulation
on the amount of distress or impairment the concerns and symptoms causes the client while
considering the individual’s motivation and capability. Once the goals are set for the target
behaviors, the client and I can track progress by outcome measures such as assessing the client’s
symptoms, reports from the clients and other significant figures, and clinical assessments
(Schwitzer & Rubin, 2014). This approach does not come without its limitations on outcome
measures such as cognitive limitations of the client, individualistic focus, a client’s reluctance or
resistance to actively engage in the process, or an individual’s spirituality or religious affiliation
(Tan, 2022).
Ethical and Biblical Principles
A professional counselor should follow CACREP, ACA’s Code of Ethics, and state and federal
guidelines. If integrating a Christian perspective, a counselor must be cognizant of and follow ASERVIC’s
Spiritual and Religious competencies. Counselor’s must prioritize the welfare of the client (ACA Code of
Ethics, 2014, A.1.a), create counseling plans with the client that are congruent with the client’s
circumstances (ACA Code of Ethics, 2014, A.1.c), and adequately explain the rights and responsibilities of
the counselor and the client as well as acquire informed consent (ACA Code of Ethics, 2014, A.2.a) just to
name a few. When integrating a Christian perspective, the ASERVIC’s Spiritual and Religious
Competencies instructs counselors who are diagnosing a client to consider how the individuals spiritual
or religious beliefs influence his or her well-being, problems, and symptoms (ASERVIC, Spiritual and
Religious Competencies, n.d., 11). Cognitive-Behavioral approach blends with my Christian values
through the principles and goals.
Cognitive-Behavioral therapy conceptualizes that human behavior is influenced by one’s
cognitions and sentiments, but ultimately the individual has the freedom to choose behavior. This is
much like Satan’s influence on humans. Satan is not some red man a pointy tail and horns. He was an
angel. He is beautiful and portrays himself as such, making it tempting to follow worldly luxuries. God
gifts humans free will to follow Satan or follow Him (English Standard Version Bible, 2001, Deuteronomy
11:26-28).
Cognitive-Behavioral therapy aims to restore the mind. In Romans 12:2 (English Standard
Version Bible, 2001) says that humans should not conform to the worldly ideologies but renew his or her
mind to reflect God’s will. Many individuals have conformed to the ideologies of this world, displaying
the brokenness and corruption because of the fall of humanity. When a client comes into therapy with
dysfunctional, self-defeating cognitions, it is easy to remind him or her that his or her identity is rooted
in God; thus, he or she is not able to be defined by others or even himself or herself (English Standard
Version Bible, 2001, Romans 6:6). God assures His children in 1 Peter 5:7 (English Standard Version
Bible, 2001) that he can handle all problems that His children bring to Him.
Conclusion
To summarize, one’s cognitions and emotions are influenced by social, cultural, and
environmental factors. Cognitive-Behavioral therapy holds that an individual’s cognitions and
sentiments influence one’s functions. While the heritability of behaviors may predisposition an
individual to act a certain way, the individual can regulate his or her behaviors or change them as
I illustrated above. With realistic goals, it is possible to use neuroplasticity as a tool modify
maladaptive cognitions, emotions, and behaviors, ultimately, rewiring the brain to function in a
manner that is flexible.
References
André, N., & Baumeister, R. F. (2023). Dysfunctional Schemas from Preadolescence as One
Major Avenue by Which Meaning Has Impact on Mental Health.AInternational journal of
environmental research and public health,A20(13), 6225.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20136225
American Counseling Association. (2014).A2014AACA code of
ethics.Ahttps://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2014-
code-of-ethics-finaladdress.pdf
Corey, G. (2021).ATheory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy(10thAed.).Cengage
Learning.
Cross, D., Fani, N., Powers, A., & Bradley, B. (2017). Neurobiological Development in the
Context of Childhood Trauma.AClinical psychology : a publication of the Division of
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https://doi.org/10.1111/cpsp.12198
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https://www.bbbgeorgia.org/effects-of-stress
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). ESV Online. https://esv.literalword.com/
Martino, J., Pegg, J., & Frates, E. P. (2015). The Connection Prescription: Using the Power of
Social Interactions and the Deep Desire for Connectedness to Empower Health and
Wellness.AAmerican journal of lifestyle medicine,A11(6), 466–475.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827615608788
Schwitzer, A. M., & Rubin, L. C. (2014). Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Skills (2nd ed.).
SAGE Publications, Inc. (US). https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781483355153
Spiritual and Religious Competencies. (n.d.). Aservic.Org. Retrieved August 6, 2024, from
https://aservic.org/spiritual-and-religious-competencies/
Tan, S. (2022). Counseling and Psychotherapy (2nd ed.). Baker Publishing Group.
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