Discuss what types of medical approaches (ECT, prescription medications, psychosurgery,

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Good Morning,

Assistance is needed in completing the following Assignment.  I have also attached the instructions as a word document in the dropbox below.  I have also added the Case Study “SHONDA” which will be needed to complete the paper.

 

For this Assignment, start by selecting one of the case studies (accessible from the Course Resources) and develop a patient portfolio. The goal of the portfolio is to identify a disorder and recommend a plan of action to help the patient manage his or her symptoms and change behavior for therapeutic outcomes.

To begin your Assignment, do a search of the Library and the internet. You are also to use course material, but your project should include at least four additional references from the library and/or the internet (your final Assignment must include one library resource). The internet sources you use for the Assignment should be credible. You should not use internet sites such as Wikipedia where anyone can post information or About.com. Your information should be from acceptable psychological or medical societies, such as the National Institute of Health, Web MD, etc.

You will address the following areas that are outlined in the patient portfolio document. Part 2 through Part 4 of the patient portfolio should be a minimum of 675 words. All work should be in the student’s own words with quotes used very sparingly. No more than 10% of the work should be direct quotations. Be sure to address each of the issues with the use of several sources in the form of in-text citations to support your answers, and use proper APA format, including Times New Roman 12-point font. For help with APA writing style, please refer to the APA Quick Reference on Course Resources and the Kaplan Writing Center (accessible from your student home page).

Using the provided template, as-is, develop the patient’s portfolio by addressing the following:

Part 1: Background information about the patient

Provide background information that includes (a) the patient’s disorder, and (b) a list of the diagnostic criteria that the patient meets listed in the DSM-5 under the diagnostic criteria for the disorder.

Part 2: Psychological Approach

Select a psychological theory from the course textbook (chose either a cognitive or behavioral theory). Refer directly to the textbook or an academic source to explain the theory. After explaining the theory, apply it by discussing how it may explain the development of the case study’s mental illness. (Approximately 225 words)

Part 3: Biological Approach

Select a theory from the biological approach from the course textbook (choose either the genetic or neurological influence). Refer directly to the textbook or an academic source to explain the theory. After explaining the theory, apply it by discussing how it may explain the development of the case study’s mental illness. (Approximately 225 words)

Part 4: Sociocultural Approach

Select a theory from the social and cultural or interpersonal relationship approach from the course textbook. Refer to the textbook or an academic source to explain the theory. After explaining the theory, apply it by discussing how it may explain the development of the case study’s mental illness. (Approximately 225 words)

Part 5: Treatment

  1. Discuss what types of medical approaches (ECT, prescription medications, psychosurgery, or current medical devises) you would recommend for the patient by referring to studies showing its effectiveness in treating the disorder. (Approximately 75 words)
  2. Compare and contrast the side effects the patient may experience from the selected type of medical approach and support what benefit the treatment has on the brain chemistry or neurotransmitter activity. (Approximately 75 words)
  3. Discuss psychotherapy options (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, exposure therapy). Explain the chosen therapy and specifically how the patient would benefit from it. (Approximately 100 words)
  4. Provide both short and long-term goals for the patient’s treatment plan. Include accomplishments or behavioral changes you want to see in the patient. (Approximately 75 words)

Part 6: Conclusion

Defend which of the approaches can best explain the development (or cause) of the case study’s mental disorder and why your chosen treatment plan would be the most beneficial plan for the patient (biological approach, psychological approach, or sociocultural approach). (Approximately 150 words)

Submitting Your Assignment

Referring to the textbook and five additional credible sources, complete the Unit 8 Patient Profile Assignment Template. Complete the document in 4–5 pages (approximately 1200 words), using APA writing style, and save it in a location with your first and last name in the title. When you are ready to submit it, go to the Dropbox.

PS440 Unit 8 Assignment

For this Assignment, start by selecting one of the case studies (accessible from the Course Resources) and develop a patient portfolio. The goal of the portfolio is to identify a disorder and recommend a plan of action to help the patient manage his or her symptoms and change behavior for therapeutic outcomes.

To begin your Assignment, do a search of the Library and the internet. You are also to use course material, but your project should include at least four additional references from the library and/or the internet (your final Assignment must include one library resource). The internet sources you use for the Assignment should be credible. You should not use internet sites such as Wikipedia where anyone can post information or About.com. Your information should be from acceptable psychological or medical societies, such as the National Institute of Health, Web MD, etc.

You will address the following areas that are outlined in the  patient portfolio document . Part 2 through Part 4 of the patient portfolio should be a minimum of 675 words. All work should be in the student’s own words with quotes used very sparingly. No more than 10% of the work should be direct quotations. Be sure to address each of the issues with the use of several sources in the form of in-text citations to support your answers, and use proper APA format, including Times New Roman 12-point font. For help with APA writing style, please refer to the APA Quick Reference on Course Resources and the Kaplan Writing Center (accessible from your student home page).

Using the provided  template , as-is, develop the patient’s portfolio by addressing the following:

Part 1: Background information about the patient

Provide background information that includes (a) the patient’s disorder, and (b) a list of the diagnostic criteria that the patient meets listed in the DSM-5 under the diagnostic criteria for the disorder.

Part 2: Psychological Approach

Select a psychological theory from the course textbook (chose either a cognitive or behavioral theory). Refer directly to the textbook or an academic source to explain the theory. After explaining the theory, apply it by discussing how it may explain the development of the case study’s mental illness. (Approximately 225 words)

Part 3: Biological Approach

Select a theory from the biological approach from the course textbook (choose either the genetic or neurological influence). Refer directly to the textbook or an academic source to explain the theory. After explaining the theory, apply it by discussing how it may explain the development of the case study’s mental illness. (Approximately 225 words)

Part 4: Sociocultural Approach

Select a theory from the social and cultural or interpersonal relationship approach from the course textbook. Refer to the textbook or an academic source to explain the theory. After explaining the theory, apply it by discussing how it may explain the development of the case study’s mental illness. (Approximately 225 words)

Part 5: Treatment

1. Discuss what types of medical approaches (ECT, prescription medications, psychosurgery, or current medical devises) you would recommend for the patient by referring to studies showing its effectiveness in treating the disorder. (Approximately 75 words)

2. Compare and contrast the side effects the patient may experience from the selected type of medical approach and support what benefit the treatment has on the brain chemistry or neurotransmitter activity. (Approximately 75 words)

3. Discuss psychotherapy options (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, exposure therapy). Explain the chosen therapy and specifically how the patient would benefit from it. (Approximately 100 words)

4. Provide both short and long-term goals for the patient’s treatment plan. Include accomplishments or behavioral changes you want to see in the patient. (Approximately 75 words)

Part 6: Conclusion

Defend which of the approaches can best explain the development (or cause) of the case study’s mental disorder and why your chosen treatment plan would be the most beneficial plan for the patient (biological approach, psychological approach, or sociocultural approach). (Approximately 150 words)

Submitting Your Assignment

Referring to the textbook and five additional credible sources, complete the  Unit 8 Patient Profile Assignment Template . Complete the document in 4–5 pages (approximately 1200 words), using APA writing style, and save it in a location with your first and last name in the title. When you are ready to submit it, go to the Dropbox.

 

PS440 Unit 8 Assignment

 

For this Assignment, start by selecting one of the case studies (accessible

from the Course Resources) and develop a patient portfolio. The goal of the

portfolio is to identify a disorder and recommend a plan of action to help the

patient manage his or her

 

symptoms and change behavior for therapeutic

outcomes.

 

To begin your Assignment, do a search of the Library and the internet. You

are also to use course material, but your project should include at least four

additional references from the library and/or

the internet (your final

Assignment must include one library resource). The internet sources you use

for the Assignment should be credible. You should not use internet sites such

as Wikipedia where anyone can post information or About.com. Your

information

 

should be from acceptable psychological or medical societies,

such as the National Institute of Health, Web MD, etc.

 

You will address the following areas that are outlined in the

 

patient portfolio

document

. Part 2 through Part 4 of the patient portfolio should be a minimum

of 675 words. All work should be in the student’s own words with quotes used

very sparingly. No m

ore than 10% of the work should be direct quotations. Be

sure to address each of the issues with the use of several sources in the form

of in

–

text citations to support your answers, and use proper APA format,

including Times New Roman 12

–

point font. For he

lp with APA writing style,

please refer to the APA Quick Reference on Course Resources and the

Kaplan Writing Center (accessible from your student home page).

 

Using the provided

 

template

, as

–

is, develop the patient’s portfolio by

addressing the following:

 

Part

 

1: Background information about the patient

 

Provide background information that includes (a) the patient’s diso

rder, and

(b) a list of the diagnostic criteria that the patient meets listed in the DSM

–

5

under the diagnostic criteria for the disorder.

 

Part 2:

 

Psychological Approach

 

PS440 Unit 8 Assignment

For this Assignment, start by selecting one of the case studies (accessible

from the Course Resources) and develop a patient portfolio. The goal of the

portfolio is to identify a disorder and recommend a plan of action to help the

patient manage his or her symptoms and change behavior for therapeutic

outcomes.

To begin your Assignment, do a search of the Library and the internet. You

are also to use course material, but your project should include at least four

additional references from the library and/or the internet (your final

Assignment must include one library resource). The internet sources you use

for the Assignment should be credible. You should not use internet sites such

as Wikipedia where anyone can post information or About.com. Your

information should be from acceptable psychological or medical societies,

such as the National Institute of Health, Web MD, etc.

You will address the following areas that are outlined in the patient portfolio

document. Part 2 through Part 4 of the patient portfolio should be a minimum

of 675 words. All work should be in the student’s own words with quotes used

very sparingly. No more than 10% of the work should be direct quotations. Be

sure to address each of the issues with the use of several sources in the form

of in-text citations to support your answers, and use proper APA format,

including Times New Roman 12-point font. For help with APA writing style,

please refer to the APA Quick Reference on Course Resources and the

Kaplan Writing Center (accessible from your student home page).

Using the provided template, as-is, develop the patient’s portfolio by

addressing the following:

Part 1: Background information about the patient

Provide background information that includes (a) the patient’s disorder, and

(b) a list of the diagnostic criteria that the patient meets listed in the DSM-5

under the diagnostic criteria for the disorder.

Part 2: Psychological Approach

The Handbook of Humanistic Psychology: Theory, Research, and Practice

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Q1 Humanistic psychology emphasizes the importance of the individual experience in the understanding of human behavior. Which theorists do you believe were most instrumental in establishing this tenet of the movement? Why?

Q2 It could be argued that to understand both death and afterlife presence, one must first be mindful of physical presence in the world. Briefly contrast a Christian worldview perspective on both mindfulness of physical presence in the world and afterlife presence with the perspective of another worldview on these topics. Which of these resonates most closely with you? Why?

                                                                Resources

 The Handbook of Humanistic Psychology: Theory, Research, and Practice

Read Chapters 35 and 42.

http://gcumedia.com/digital-resources/sage/2014/the-handbook-of-humanistic-psychology_theory-research-and-practice_ebook_2e.php

                                           e-Library Resource

1. Spirituality: A Glowing and Useful Term in Search of a Meaning

Bregman, L. (2006). Spirituality: A glowing and useful term in search of a meaning. Omega, 53(1/2), 5–26.

https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=21808441&site=ehost-live&scope=site

2. The Psychology of Life Stories

McAdams, D. P. (2001). The psychology of life stories. Review of General Psychology, 5(2), 100–122.

https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pdh&AN=2001-06545-002&site=ehost-live&scope=site

                                                                      Unit 4

Q1 Phenomenology is a qualitative approach to understanding the lived experience of the individual. Consider who you understand to be the primary contributors to phenomenological psychology (as opposed to philosophy). What do you see as the primary differences and similarities among those theorists? Explain. What do you believe are the most significant challenges and benefits of employing a phenomenological approach in psychological research? Explain.

Q2 Quantitative research methods in psychology are based on the research methods used in the natural sciences disciplines to produce empirical research. Dr. Amedeo Giorgi, the founder of the descriptive phenomenological psychology method, asserts that this qualitative method can be used to arrive at empirical results related to understanding human experience. How does Dr. Giorgi’s method compare to quantitative research methodologies? Explain. From your vantage point, does his approach to qualitative research yield empirical evidence in understanding the human condition? Why or why not?

                                                                 Resources

1. The Handbook of Humanistic Psychology: Theory, Research, and Practice

Chapters 19 and 20.

http://gcumedia.com/digital-resources/sage/2014/the-handbook-of-humanistic-psychology_theory-research-and-practice_ebook_2e.php

                                                          Electronic Resource

1. Phenomenology

View:
Flipp, C. (2014, February 12). Phenomenology [Video].

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uNp7okdc-E

                                                      e-Library Resource

1. A Phenomenological Research Design Illustrated

Groenewald, T. (2004). A phenomenological research design illustrated. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 3(1), 1-26.

https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=13359031&site=ehost-live&scope=site

2. The Interview: Data Collection in Descriptive Phenomenological Human Scientific Research

Englander, M. (2012). The interview: Data collection in descriptive phenomenological human scientific research. Journal of Phenomenological Psychology, 43(1), 13–35.

https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=75005147&site=ehost-live&scope=site

                                                                       Unit 5

Q1 Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi describe the basic tenets and philosophy of positive psychology. What do you see as the most significant similarities and differences between the perspectives of positive psychology and humanistic psychology? Why? Which of these perspectives do you believe most closely aligns with a Christian worldview? Support your position.

Q2 Within the past two decades, positive psychology and humanistic psychology have been at odds over their philosophical foundations and approaches to human well-being. Briefly discuss the historic development of positive psychology and humanistic psychology. Which perspective do you endorse and why? Support your position. Your defense must cite one scholarly article that makes a case for positive psychology and another that argues for humanistic psychology.

                                                           Resources

1. Positive Psychology: An Introduction

Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55(1), 5–14.

https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pdh&AN=2000-13324-001&site=ehost-live&scope=site

2. The Humanistic Psychology – Positive Psychology Divide: Contrasts in Philosophical Foundations

Waterman, A. (2013). The humanistic psychology – positive psychology divide: Contrasts in philosophical foundations. American Psychologist, 68(3), 124–133.

https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pdh&AN=2013-12501-001&site=ehost-live&scope=site

3. Toward a Humanistic Positive Psychology: Why Can’t We Just Get Along?

Schneider, K. (2011). Toward a humanistic positive psychology: Why can’t we just get along? Existential Analysis, 22(1), 32–38.

https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=59243713&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Please provide references

Theories in Action Person Centered Counseling Mr. Tim Seibles:

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Core Conditions

Discuss the premise, benefit, and limitations of nondirective interviewing. To what extent do basic interviewing methods align with core conditions of the person-centered approach, and how do you assess the demonstration of skills in the Theories in Action: Person-Centered Counseling media presentation? Provide specific illustrations from Jose and Dr. Ed Neukrug’s session, and compare to Boyer’s examination of early implementation of Roger’s core conditions.

Theories in Action  Person Centered Counseling  Mr. Tim Seibles:

The heart of person-centered counseling rests on three critical personality characteristics that Carl Rogers, the founder of this therapy and philosophy of living, believed were critical: congruence, unconditional positive regard and empathy.  People who are congruent are real, genuine, or transparent with others. Their feelings, thoughts and behaviors are in sync. However, it is important to note the therapists who are congruent do not necessarily express moment-to-moment feelings with clients as sometimes, such feelings can rapidly change and often deepen over time. However, it is important for the therapist to express feelings toward his or her client, even negative ones, if such feelings are persistent. Otherwise, the relationship would be marred by falseness or incongruity.  Unconditional positive regard is the ability to provide the client with a sense of acceptance regardless of what feelings or experiences are expressed by the client. Such acceptance allows the client to feel safe within the relationship and to delve deeper into him or herself. Person-centered counselors believe that individuals are born with the need to be loved and when significant others such as parents do not provide unconditional positive regard, children end up living as they believe others would want them to be, as opposed to being who they really are.  The last quality, empathic understanding has been one of the most widely used tools of the counseling relationship regardless of theoretical orientation, and has been shown to be a critical factor in positive therapeutic outcomes. Empathy can be demonstrated in many ways including accurately reflecting the client’s meaning and affect using a metaphor, analogy or visual image, or simply nodding one’s head or gently touching the client during the client’s deepest moments of pain. A therapist, who shows empathy is with the client, hears the client, understands the client fully and is able to communicate such understanding to the client. Let’s join Dr. Ed Neukrug as he tries to embody the characteristics of congruence, unconditional positive regard, and empathy with Jose who is discussing some concerns he has about his mother and younger brother.

Expand upon the information included in the slide and do not simply restate it

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Review the following course materials:

  1. Rational Emotive Behavior
  2. Cognitive Therapy

In this assignment, you will review and respond to a therapy session conducted by professional counselors using one of the following theoretical frameworks: cognitive or rational emotive behavior.

Select on therapy session (rational emotive behavior or cognitive therapy).

Utilize the course material, in addition to the textbook, for the theoretical framework selected. Think about the techniques being used in the therapy session.

Create a 7-10-slide presentation about the selected session. Include or address the following in your presentation:

  1. A title slide
  2. The therapeutic techniques, used by the counselor
  3. Was the approach successful and why?
  4. A reference slide with a minimum of two scholarly resources.

Include speaker notes below each content-related slide that represent what would be said if giving the presentation in person. Expand upon the information included in the slide and do not simply restate it. Please ensure the speaker notes include a minimum of 50 words.

While GCU style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and in-text citations and references should be presented using GCU documentation guidelines, which can be found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.

Theoretical Frameworks II

 

Rational Emotive Behavior Theoretical Framework

 

Assignment Resources:

· “Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Background,” located below.

· Therapy Session 2: the rational emotive behavior therapy session between Rebekah and Dr. Allen below. Take notes on the interaction between Rebekah and Dr. Allen.

· Complete the written assignment according to the assignment directions.

 

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Background

 

REBT is an action- and results-oriented psychotherapy which teaches clients how to identify self-defeating thoughts, beliefs and actions and replace them with more effective, life-enhancing ones. One of the first of the modern cognitive behavior therapies, REBT was developed in 1955 by Albert Ellis, Ph.D.

 

Using a technique called “uncovering the ABCs of personality formation,” REBT therapists state that it is not the (A) Activating event that causes emotional Consequences (C), but (B) the Belief (B) about the event. For instance, faced with the loss of a relationship, one client’s belief system might lead to suicidal depression, while another client’s belief system might leave him or her feeling fine about the breakup.

 

One role of the REBT therapist is to create (D) a Disputing intervention (D) for (B) the Belief that is irrational. This will (E) Effect a new, and better, (F) Feeling. REBT practitioners teach their clients to (1) analyze episodes of emotional and behavioral disturbance with the ABC model; (2) discriminate between irrational and rational beliefs; (3) distinguish healthy negative emotions from unhealthy emotions and (4) utilize a variety of means for modifying the irrational beliefs that support their emotional and behavior problems.

 

In working with clients, the REBT therapist uses a number of cognitive, behavioral, and emotive techniques, including.

 

1. Actively disputing irrational beliefs throughout the day.

2. Bibliotherapy.

3. Role-Playing new ways of living

4. Practicing what might be for the client new, unconventional ways of living in the world (e.g., an introvert acting extroverted at a party)

5. Imagery exercises, where the client imagines how he or she would like to be.

6. Practicing new behaviors through traditional behavioral techniques (e.g., conditioning, modeling, assertiveness training)

 

 

In the following role-play, watch how Dr. Korrie Allen uses the ABC of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy to assist Rebekah with her feelings about a recent break-up with her girlfriend.

 

 

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Session

 

Dr. Allen: Good morning Rebecca, what brings you here?

 

Rebekah: Um, I’m just feeling depressed and upset, and just a little worthless.

 

Dr. Allen: is there anything that’s going on that’s different in your life right now?

Rebekah: Um, my girlfriend and I are having some problems. Um, she’s been talking about breaking up and um, actually I think that she’s gonna break up with me.

 

Dr. Allen: so that must be really difficult to think about. Um, what are some of the thoughts that are going through your head when you think of the possibility of you guys breaking up?

Rebekah: All kinds of things like, I need a girlfriend, I really miss her. I mean, just even now we’re having a lot of problems and ya know, I just miss things being the way it used to be. I want to have a family one day, we’ve just made all kinds of plans and it’s not going to happen.

 

Dr. Allen: And what if you were to break up?

Rebekah: Well, I mean I guess I think about the fact that I mean, we’ve been together for 3 years. I’m 25, I’ve already invested 3 years into this relationship. Um, we talked about the future and having kids. I need a girlfriend, I need a girlfriend to have all those things that I planned on having, that we had planned on having.

 

Dr. Allen: I hear you saying that you need a girlfriend in order to have certain things in your life in place. When I think of a need, I think of things that you absolutely must have. For example, if you didn’t have food, what would happen?

Rebekah: I would die

 

Dr. Allen: And what if you didn’t have water?

 

Rebekah: I would eventually die.

 

Dr. Allen: And even along a little bit of a different line, have you ever been….I know you’re in graduate school, I’m sure you have lots of tests. Have you ever been studying, go to get in your car and your car doesn’t start?

 

Rebekah: Yea

 

Dr. Allen: And how did you feel at that point?

 

Rebekah: Um, really mad. Just really upset.

 

Dr. Allen: Do you recall what was going through your mind at that time?

 

Rebekah: Just that I was really upset. Um, I needed my car to start so I could get to school.

 

Dr. Allen: Mmhmm, and were you able to problem solve and come up with a solution that you’re thinking “I need my car to start”, “I have to have it to start?”

 

Rebekah: Um, no.

 

Dr. Allen: You just kind of froze?

 

Rebekah: yea, well I guess I would just be so upset that my car wasn’t starting that I probably wouldn’t be able to think about anything else.

 

Dr. Allen: Mmhmm, do you think it was the fact that your car wasn’t starting that caused you to feel upset?

Rebekah: Yes

 

Dr. Allen: Ok, well in REBT, what we have are called the ABC’s. And A is the activating event, which in that situation would be the car not starting, and the B is the belief and C is the consequence. And do you think that it was the fact that the car didn’t start? Or what you were telling yourself about the car not starting? That was causing you to feel upset

 

Rebekah: Um, I guess it would be what I was telling myself.

 

Dr. Allen: And that was?

 

Rebekah: that I needed to have the car to start to get to school.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Allen: Mmhm, and in that situation what do you think you might have been able to say that would have caused you to feel a little less upset, and would have enabled you to problem solve and come up with an alternative solution quicker?

 

Rebekah: I guess if I wasn’t so focused on you know, my piece of crap car, I could think about “Ok my car won’t start, now what am I going to do?” I guess I need to call a friend, or just figured out another way to get to school.

 

Dr. Allen: Right, you’d really like it to start but you’re okay. You didn’t die because it didn’t start

 

Rebekah: Right

 

Dr. Allen: And you’re able to get through the problem okay, right? So in that situation, you can see that it’s actually the belief that’s causing you to feel upset, not the fact that the car didn’t start, the activating event. Does that make sense?

 

Rebekah: Yea, I see what you’re saying…yeah

 

Dr. Allen: And this, to me sounds a little similar to some of the things that are going through your head about your girlfriend. If you’re saying to yourself “I need to have a girlfriend, I must have a girlfriend in order to be happy. I’m 25, I need to have a family, that’s what everybody’s doing that’s my age”, how are you feeling at that point?

 

Rebekah: Depressed, I mean that’s how I’m feeling now.

 

Dr. Allen: Right, and so how do you think you would feel if you were to say something along the lines of: “I’d prefer to have a girlfriend, I’d like to have a girlfriend, but if I don’t, it’s okay.” How do you think you would feel at that point?

 

Rebkah: I would still be upset, but I guess it would change my focus.

 

Dr. Allen: Do you think you would be as anxious around your girlfriend?

 

Rebekah: Probably not.

 

Dr. Allen: Right, and so if you had to explain to me the difference between a want and a need, what would you, how would you describe that?

Rebekah: Um, I guess like you said you know, if you’re talking about food and water, I mean it is something that you have to have or you’re gonna die. And a want is something that you would like to have, would be nice if you had.

 

Dr. Allen: And even if we go back to the car example, if you said to yourself: “I’d really like to have a car, I want to have a car, it’s important to be on time”. How do you think you would feel at that point?

 

Rebekah: Upset, but I would still…I would feel better about making other arrangements, and not being so focused on being angry.

 

Dr. Allen: Right, so what this models shows is when anybody, it doesn’t matter if you’re black, white, rich, poor, male or female; whenever you turn a preference or a desire or a want into an absolute must, you’re going to feel miserable. Do you see how that applies to you?

 

Rebekah: Yeah, I guess I never really thought about it that way.

 

Dr. Allen: Mmhm, and today we’ve talked really only about one need that you brought up. The need to really have a relationship and be with your girlfriend, but can you give me a different way to think about that that might help you feel a little less depressed?

 

Rebekah: Well, I guess I’m gonna still be upset but if we do break up and I don’t have her, I’m not gonna die. Even though it may feel that way, I’m not going to. I guess it’s a want, I would like to have, I would like for us to stay together, I would like to have her as a girlfriend.

 

Dr. Allen: Yeah, and when you’re with her and you’re thinking I would like to be with her, I enjoy being with her, how do you feel?

Rebekah: Good.

 

Dr. Allen: Good, but when you’re with her and you’re thinking “I really hope she doesn’t break up with me, I really need this relationship, its important that we stay together.” How do you feel at that point?

 

Rebekah: Bad, I mean, depressed I guess. A lot of pressure.

 

Dr. Allen: Yeah, and how do you act around her?

Rebekah: Strange (laughing)

 

Dr. Allen: Yeah, then she’s kinda going “okay.” Yeah. Um, so like I’m sure you’ve experienced many hassles and when you have, for example a test, a lot of times you don’t want to study for the test but you do. So when you take things like your wants and your desires to have a girlfriend and turn that into an absolute must, a need, it makes you feel depressed, it leads to a dysfunctional emotion. However, when you change that to more “I would like to be with my girlfriend, it’s important that we’re together and I enjoy spending time with her” you feel better, and you act differently around her. So one of the things that I really hope you’re able to see now is that it’s that belief about having the girlfriend that’s causing you to feel depressed than the activating event, the thought of her breaking up with you. Does that make sense?

Rebekah: Yeah. I’ve just never thought about things in that way before.

 

 

 

Dr. Allen: Right, well that’s great. I’m glad that you’re starting to make that connection cause that’s really the fundamental idea behind REBT, that it’s the belief that’s causing us to feel unhappy. So what I’d like you to do over this week is a little bit of homework. In REBT we always give homework. I want you to practice the process we’ve gone over. I’d like you to just jot down whenever you feel panicked or anxious or depressed during the week. And then once you put that down, think about what was the activating event, what was the event that kind of started that? And then what was the belief that you have that caused you to feel anxious, depressed, or self-hatred. Does that make sense?

Rebekah: Yeah.

 

Dr. Allen: Can you give me an example from what we’ve talked about today.

 

Rebekah: When I’m studying for a test and I get really really anxious and I just start thinking about, “I have to make an A, I have to study, I can’t be in graduate school, I can’t do bad.”

 

Dr. Allen: And so in that situation, the A is…the activating event would be…

 

Rebekah: Studying, I have to study

 

Dr. Allen: Right, and the belief is, the irrational thought is “I have to do well”

 

Rebekah: I have to make an A

 

Dr. Allen: Right, and that would cause you to feel anxious. Okay, so what could you maybe think a little differently that would cause you to feel less anxious? Because some anxiety is gonna be there, but what could cause you to feel a little less anxious?

 

Rebekah: That I studied and, you know, just to calm myself down “Okay, I studied for the test, I’m

gonna do well, I know the material, if I don’t make an A I’m not gonna get kicked out of the school.”

Dr. Allen: That’s great, and so what I want you to do this week is focus on those situations when they come up and really write down, what was the A, what’s the activating event, the belief, focus on that belief. And whether it’s rational or irrational, I want you to really focus on either one. And try to catch those irrational ones so you can start to really work on those and then whatever emotions they made lead to. So do you think you would be able to do that over the next week? Jot down those situations?

Rebekah: Yeah

 

Dr. Allen: And then we can go over them next week and really start to identify some of the irrational beliefs that may be causing you to feel depressed and anxious.

 

Rebekah: Okay.

 

 

 

Dr. Allen: Do you feel good about that?

Rebekah: Yeah.

 

Dr. Allen: Okay, well then I look forward to seeing you next week.

 

Rebekah: Okay, thank you.