Question

1. Review the basic premises of CBT. Why would you choose or not choose this type of therapy.

2. Discuss where you see interpersonal therapy fitting into your treatment of patients. Is this a practical theory? Can you add it into your practice easily?

Answer 1

1.The premises of behavioural therpy is based on learning theory namely classical conditioning by Ivan Pavlov which states that an individual would respond to a situation in a specific manner of which he or she is conditioned and operant conditioning by B F Skinner which states that an individual's response or behaviour may follow it's consequences in the form of positive or negative reinforcement or punishment.Behaviour therapy could be indicated for clients who require modifyication in maladaptive behaviours and learning adaptive behaviours.Cognitive therapy focus on modification of distorted cognitions with adaptive ones.It is based on Lazarus and Folkman model which states that an individual's personal cognitive appraisal results in certain emotions and behaviours.Cognitive behaviour therapy could be indicated for patients with anxiety or neurotic disorders, substance use disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders This therapy could be also applied in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar mood disorders along with medications.Cognitive behaviour therapy could not chosen for special clients such as elderly patients and young children and patients with intellectual disability who could not comprehend the techniques of this therapy and also to those patients with severe psychosis as they may not have reality testing.

2.Interpersonal therapy is a form of psychotherapy which is time focused and problem oriented in which therapist focus on a patient's interpersonal and social relations and there by helps the patient to take control of emotions, improve social skills, solve complicated grief, deal with role disputes and face transitions in life with ease.This therapy could be applied for patients with mood disorders namely major depression, dysthymia and bipolar mood disorders, eating disorders and substance use disorders.Patients are guided through individual and group sessions in a systematic manner.Interpersonal therapy is practical if the therapist effectively uses skills of active listening and therapeutic communication while handling patient's issues and make sure to provide a safe and structured environment for each session.