Quick
Results, Lasting Benefits
There has been a quiet
revolution going on in the field of psychotherapy.
Traditional psychoanalytical and client centered methods have
been giving way to a new PsychoTechnology of the mind,
cognitive/behavioral psychology.
Cognitive/behavioral methods have been
growing rapidly in popularity since their inception in the
1950's and many experts believe this will be the predominant
approach to counseling by the end of the decade. This
approach is probably quite different than what most people
think counseling is about. It is not primarily about gaining
insight into the presumed childhood origins of problems,
although this sometimes can be useful. It is not just about
venting feelings or talking about your problems. Rather,
cognitive/behavioral therapy focuses on practical results.
The main issue is not discovering how you got to be the way
you are, but rather, helping you to make practical changes
now. This approach has several distinct advantages over
traditional methods:
Results-oriented - It will help
you define your goals, plan a strategy for accomplishing
those goals and monitor your progress towards them.
Short-term - with most clients,
the goals of therapy can accomplished relatively quickly,
often within five to twenty sessions. Of course, this
depends on the nature of the problem, but
cognitive/behavioral methods usually produce rapid results.
Self-help oriented - this is an
educationally based approach which focuses on helping you
to develop self-management skills. The therapist is a coach
or teacher who helps you learn how to run yourself and your
life better. You will acquire many new tools and find new
solutions, not just rehash the past.
Cost-effective - due to the short
term, self-help, results orientation, the total investment
you make in counseling is often quite low.
Client-oriented- your emotional
well being is the primary concern. This is expressed in
using the most scientifically advanced PsychoTechnology in
a caring, ethical way to help you get the most out of your
counseling experience.
In looking for a therapist, don't be shy
about asking what theory and methods the counselor uses,
their credentials and training, their experience with your
type of problem, their specific plans for addressing it and
the expected length and prognosis of treatment. There are
many factors that contribute to the success of therapy, so it
pays to "shop around". If you aren't satisfied with your
progress, discuss your concerns openly with your therapist.
If you still aren't satisfied, don't give up on the idea of
counseling, just find another therapist. To find a
cognitive/behaviorally oriented therapist in your area, call
the Institute for Rational-Emotive Behavior Therapy at
800.323.4738 or visit their web site (http://www.rebt.org).
For help with substance abuse call SMART Recovery at
440.951.5357 or check out their web site (http://www.smartrecovery.org).
Another idea is to call your local psychological association.
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