Using Research to Select a Therapeutic Modality

Using Research to Select a Therapeutic Modality

Imagine that some of your colleagues mention using cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and reality therapy. Your colleagues continue to say that based on their experiences, they really like these therapies and that they appear to work. Your instincts also tell you that perhaps they might be helpful for your client in your case study. However, from Week 1, you recall that experiences and instincts as sources of knowledge are quite limited because they are biased. Instead, it is important to utilize existing research and data to support your choices of interventions. Theory helps inform the evidence-based practice process that should guide social workers’ practice.

In this Discussion, you examine the research related to a therapy based on cognitive or cognitive behavior theory to determine its effectiveness.

To prepare:

Recall the client from the case study you have been using in this course  Helen Petrakis

•         You will apply your research for this Discussion to that client.
•        Select one therapy from the following: cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, or reality therapy.
•        Conduct a research for one peer-reviewed research study about the effectiveness of the therapy you selected.

Example

The primary focus of cognitive behavioral therapy is the relationship between an individual's opinions, feelings, and actions. Most cases involving abuse or human trafficking victims call for this kind of therapy. The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to help clients become more resilient and develop better coping mechanisms while also altering the client's thought patterns. The subject of this paper is a nineteen-year-old girl. She survived an abusive relationship at home and ran into the arms of a sex trafficker who was her "so-called" boyfriend. In this video presentation, I will discuss the presenting issues and how cognitive behavioral therapy can abstract the issue. In addition, this paper will discuss the assessment, treatment plans, benefits and drawbacks of cognitive behavioral therapy, and how therapists can take these measurements.