What is CBT ?

What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
(https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral)

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that
has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems, eating disorders, and severe mental illness.

Numerous research studies suggest that CBT leads to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life. In many studies, CBT has been demonstrated to be as effective as, or more effective than, other forms of psychological therapy or psychiatric medications.

It is important to emphasize that advances in CBT have been made on the basis of both research and clinical practice. Indeed, CBT is an approach for which there is ample scientific evidence that the methods that have been developed actually produce change. In this manner, CBT differs from many other forms of psychological treatment.

CBT is based on several core principles, including:

Psychological problems are based, in part, on faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking.

Psychological problems are based, in part, on learned patterns of unhelpful  behavior.

People suffering from psychological problems can learn better ways of Coping with them, thereby relieving their symptoms and becoming more effective in their lives.

CBT treatment usually involves efforts to change thinking patterns. These strategies might include:

·                  Learning to recognize one’s distortions in thinking that are creating problems, and then to reevaluate them in light of reality.

·                  Gaining a better understanding of the behavior and motivation of others.

·                  Using problem-solving skills to cope with difficult situations.

·                  Learning to develop a greater sense of confidence in one’s own abilities.

CBT treatment also usually involves efforts to change behavioral patterns.

These strategies might include:

·                  Facing one’s fears instead of avoiding them.

·                  Using role playing to prepare for potentially problematic interactions with others.

·                  Learning to calm one’s mind and relax one’s body.

Not all CBT will use all of these strategies. Rather, the psychologist and patient/client work together, in a collaborative fashion, to develop an understanding of the problem and to develop a treatment strategy.

CBT places an emphasis on helping individuals learn to be their own therapists. Through exercises in the session as well as “homework” exercises outside of sessions, patients/clients are helped to develop coping skills, whereby they can learn to change their own thinking, problematic emotions, and behavior.

CBT therapists emphasize what is going on in the person’s current life, rather than what has led up to their difficulties. A certain amount of information about one’s history is needed, but the focus is primarily on moving forward in time to develop more effective ways of coping with life.

Source: APA Div. 12 (Society of Clinical Psychology) Date created: July 2017

Words: A Hidden Weapon of Domestic Abuse

Image Extracted from: https://themalaysianreserve.com/

When we think about domestic abuse, we tend to think about acts of physical violence. We picture women with bruises and black eyes, or worse. While this is an all-too-common occurrence, this assumption about domestic abuse causes us to miss the fact that the primary weapon abusers use against their victims is not their fists but their words. Does this surprise you? It’s true. Abusers seek to dominate and control their victims and most of that is done through conversations that coerce, manipulate, and pressure them into compliance. Abusers believe that their wives owe them unwavering and unquestioning allegiance and anything less usually results in harsh retaliation. This is clearly sinful and a far cry from a godly marriage based on mutual self-sacrifice. So, why do we, and even the victims of this type of abuse, often fail to see it? ¹

Full article : Words: A Hidden Weapon of Domestic Abuse

What is CBT

 What is CBT

What is life skills counselling?

Life Skills Counselling is a knowledge of theory and practice skills related to client problem management and opportunity development.

Practical knowledge and skills related to counseling are acquired through a structured professional curriculum divided into academic and experiential components that enable them to demonstrate a wide range of basic counseling theories and skills.

They are qualified to provide basic counseling, assessment, and referral in the following areas: Basic Counselling, Counselling Psychology, Modern Applied Psychology, Addictions Counselling, Sexual Abuse, and Trauma Counselling, Family and Couples Counselling, Youth Counselling, NLP, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mental Health and Employment & Career Counselling.

In addition, they also have acquired the skills necessary to conduct intake interviews, maintain case files, and session notes. They have to undergo Clinic weeks which provide additional opportunities to practice counseling skills under supervision, investigate case studies, conduct research, and read course reference materials.

As part of the training requirement, they also have to conduct a minimum of 30 client counseling hours in which they applied all their relevant knowledge of theory and practice coach/counselling skills related to client problem management and opportunity development.

What is Coaching?

" A coach is someone trained and devoted to guiding others into increased competence, commitment, and confidence " - Frederic Hudson, Author of Handbook of coaching.

" In contrast to the emphasis on imparting information through tutoring and instruction, coaching is unlocking a person's potential to maximize his or her own performance" - adapted from SIR JOHN WHITMORE, author of coaching for performance.

Therefore, coaching is much more focused on the individual or group being coached, stimulating these people to make their own judgments and decisions. Coaching does not involve making a diagnosis or giving advice. A coach does not need to be an expert in the areas that concern those being coached. instead, the coach needs an ability to listen, understand, summarize what is being said and guide as nondirective as possible while a person looks at his or her own situation, reaches conclusions about what to do and then take action" - Gary R Collin, Christian Coaching.