Comparison, Contrast, and Critiques of Cognitive-Behavioral and Client-Centered Therapies

Comparison, Contrast, and Critiques of Cognitive-Behavioral and Client-Centered Therapies

Introduction

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals recognize and change damaging thought patterns that affect their emotions and behavior negatively. It focuses on mood, behavior, and automatic negative thoughts contributing to depression, emotional issues, and anxiety. CBT helps identify these challenges and replaces them with more realistic and objective thoughts. Techniques in CBT include role-playing, journaling, mental distraction, and relaxation methods to overcome negative thought patterns. Therapists challenge clients’ irrational or self-destructive beliefs and actions.

Client-Centered Therapy, also known as Person-Centered Therapy, involves a counseling approach where clients actively participate in their treatment, while therapists provide support. Clients determine their treatment path, and therapists help them understand their reactions to promote self-actualization. The primary goal of Client-Centered Therapy is to increase self-esteem and openness while reducing defensiveness, insecurity, and guilt. This, in turn, improves relationships and enhances the ability to express oneself and develop more comfortable relationships.

Latest psychology dissertation topics for students

Client-centered therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are common concepts used in psychotherapy and counseling. They have different theoretical approaches, so their application depends on various factors such as the treatment setting and the client’s age. Both therapies, however, guide patients on their journey of self-discovery and self-improvement. This paper evaluates the application of these theories and the effectiveness of counseling by comparing cognitive-behavioral therapy and client-centered therapy.

Contrast

Client-Centered Therapy provides a non-judgmental and empathetic environment for clients to reflect on their emotions resulting from life situations. Therapists actively listen to allow clients to share personal problems, emotions, and coping strategies. The effectiveness of this approach depends on the client’s life situation and age. In a study by Hanley and Gibbard (2008), client-centered counseling was used for individuals with mild mental health issues, such as anxiety and mood disorders. Clients were given the space to narrate their experiences without criticism or interrogation. The results showed that Client-Centered Therapy is effective in helping mentally ill patients understand their conditions and cope with life experiences. The goal of client-centered therapy is to help clients internalize their experiences to overcome them.

Cochran and Tursi’s (2006) study shows that Client-Centered Therapy focuses on enhancing clients’ self-concept. Therapists understand that clients’ behaviors and emotions are a result of self-preservation in distressing situations. The research observed that the counseling relationship improves when therapists provide an empathetic and warm counseling environment. This environment allows clients to have control over sharing their personal life information.

In Hanley and Gibbard (2008), it was found that Client-Centered Therapy helps clients with anxiety and mood disorders develop positive self-actualization. It concluded that Client-Centered Therapy is useful for clients with mild mental illnesses. However, Lin (2001) found that cultural differences between Chinese and Western cultures can hinder the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in Chinese clients. Cognitive-behavioral therapists may need to adjust their approaches when working with clients from different cultural backgrounds.

Similarities

Both concepts are relevant in different contexts and have been applied to various situations requiring group or individual treatment. This paper evaluates the application of these theories and the effectiveness of counseling by comparing cognitive-behavioral therapy and client-centered therapy.

The two approaches share some similarities in promoting self-awareness and improving clients’ self-concept and understanding of life. Both models recognize the need for behavior changes that originate from the client’s perspective rather than the therapist’s suggestions.

The process of change in client-centered therapy involves psychological changes that eliminate the distinction between ‘life’ and ‘self,’ similar to the effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy. The effectiveness of client-centered therapy may be limited for children, as they may not be self-restricting in a therapeutic environment. On the other hand, the cognitive-behavioral approach may not be suitable for clients who have difficulty expressing emotions.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy aims to change clients’ beliefs that lead to more severe disorders. The approach challenges clients’ perspectives, which can lead to self-harm. Client feedback is influenced by community and cultural factors. A study by Lin (2001) examined the cultural foundations that affect the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy in Chinese clients. It identified differences in Western values, philosophies, personal relationships, socialization, and self-concept (Lin, 2001). These cultural factors shape cognitive processes and behaviors. The effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy depends on cultural background, and therapists must consider cultural nuances when working with clients.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy shares similarities with client-centered therapy. In a study by Pastor and Shechtman (2005), the two approaches were compared in terms of their effectiveness in counseling children. The study evaluated children’s behavior and academic performance to some extent. The results favored cognitive-behavioral therapy over client-centered therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy was found to be effective in group therapy within a structured environment.

According to Cochran and Tursi (2006), cognitive-behavioral therapy is similar to client-centered therapy in that it promotes self-actualization in clients. The researchers concluded that long-term psychotherapy can help individuals cope with personal and emotional issues and enhance their abilities.

Conclusion

Client-Centered Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy are both valuable in counseling. Each approach has distinct therapeutic applications based on different client settings and characteristics. Both methods can be used simultaneously to address clients’ challenges. The therapist’s approach is more crucial in client-centered therapy than their skills, as therapist attitudes like unconditional positive regard, genuineness, and empathy play a significant role. Therapists facilitate self-actualization by providing the right environment for clients to engage in in-depth self-exploration and focused self-improvement.

References

Basch, D. I. (2019). Exposure-based cognitive-behavioral Therapy and client-centered Therapy: A pragmatic case study of a technically eclectic, integrationist approach (Doctoral dissertation, Rutgers University-Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology).

Gibbard, I. & Hanley, T. (2008). A five-year evaluation of the effectiveness of person-centered Counseling in routine clinical practice in primary care. Counseling and Psychotherapy Research, 8(4), 215-222.

Lin, Y. (2001). The Application of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to Counseling Chinese. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 55(4), 46-52.

Shechtman, Z. & Pastor, R. (2005). Cognitive-behavioral and humanistic group treatment for Children with learning disabilities: A comparison of outcomes and process. Journal of Counseling Psychology 52(1), 322-336.

Tursi, M. & Cochran, J. (2006). Cognitive-behavioral tasks accomplished in person-centered Relational framework. Journal of Counseling & Development, 84(2), 387-398.