Question

There are 2 parts to your Discussion this week. Part 1: Based on your in-class experiences and your readings for this module, which of the following theoretical orientations to therapy appeals to you the most: Psychoanalytical, Behavioral, Cognitive-Behavioral. Humanistic. Positive Therapy, or Bio-medical? Explain what you like about it over the other choices. You should clearly demonstrate your understanding of that approach as you explain why it is your preference. Part 2: Throughout this entire semester, we explored a considerable amount of content concerning how to benefit our psychological well-being. With this, think about and then complete the following statements as best you can concerning changes you might make in your life as a result of taking this course. 1. I need to do MORE 2. I need to do LESS 3. I need to STOP 4. I need to START 5. The most valuable lesson I learned this semester was

Answer 1

Part 1 - The theoretical orientation to therapy which appealed most to me was Behavioral. It helps in treating maladaptive behaviors and habits on the basis of belief that many mental disorder occur due to faulty learning. It uses principles of classical conditioning (techniques of flooding, systematic desensitization etc), operant conditioning (token economies etc.) and observational learning (modelling, assertiveness training etc.). These methods can be used to treat phobias, learning social skills, treating maladaptive habits etc. Now, I will compare this approach with various other approaches to explain why I prefer this method over others. The Psychoanalytical is heavily based on repressed impulses, inner conflicts and use techniques of free association, etc. as a therapeutic approach. But, the thing I disliked most is that there is no immediate result and the process is often time consuming & costly, whereas in Behavioral, there is somewhat immediate result and process is not as time consuming as psychoanalytic therapies. In Cognitive-Behavioral, the focus is on changing irrational assumptions that underlie thinking or changing maladaptive patterns of thoughts. But, though such therapy is highly useful and longer-lasting, especially in depression, its scope is very limited, whereas Behavioral therapy can be used in wide range of settings like treating phobias, learning social skills, assertiveness training etc. In Humanistic approach, focus is on client-centered therapy in which therapists offer unconditional positive regard, empathetic understanding, etc. But, the thing I disliked is that there is no precise mechanism of what is supposed to happen between clients and therapists unlike Behavioral which has more clear defined mechanism and better theoretical base than this. In Positive therapy, the focus is on well-being of the client, by enhancing strengths and pointing out what is good in the client and minimizing what is in deficit and weakness. I believe that though this therapy can be helpful in time of distress, but most of the time, one cannot shy away from shortcomings and it's better to counter those and work on those by using some form of behavioral principles. Also, in my case, the criticism and negative comments acts as a motivator to overcome the thing which is lacking in my life. Finally, the bio-medical therapy treats the psychological issues using medical principles such as ECT, psycho-surgery, using drugs etc. I subscribe to view that in case of intense psychological problems, resorting to drugs, antidepressant drugs for short span of time is useful, but in longer time-span, the continuous use of these things are harmful and also body become more resistant to the effects of these drugs if they are used for long duration. Also, there is a risk of side-effects and moreover the medical treatment is often irreversible.

Part 2 -

1. I need to do MORE physical exercise. I initially used to believe that exercise provide only physical benefits, but after taking this course I realized that it helps in mental aspects as well.

2. I need to do LESS social categorization. I realized how I was biased towards my group, had stereotypes and prejudices about other group etc.

3. I need to do STOP smoking as a coping mechanism for tension. I realized how body develop tolerance and thus, to create same effect, more amount of needed as the time passes.

4. I need to START using behavioral principles in my life based on reinforcement approach, reward principles, etc.

5. The most valuable lesson I learned this semester was that many habits that we have is a result of behavioral principles like classical conditioning, operant conditioning and observational learning. The rewards & punishment determine so many of our behaviors that we are often unaware of them. The various methods of reinforcement, modelling etc to change behaviors , learn new habits etc. is immensely helpful in dealing with daily hassles of life, skill learning etc.