Application of Theories

...

With Ronald, I would relate the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (associated with The Third Wave of Cognitive Behavior). Introduced in the 1980s, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an approach designed to help a person overcome perceived negative thoughts and feelings in order to accept a greater sense of wellbeing and purpose. The aim here is cope with negative feelings, thoughts, or events from our history rather than excluding them. ACT instructs an individual to live in the “now” and develop inner rigidity (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, 2015). With this therapy, Ronald is more likely encouraged to take notice and accept his beliefs and how he feels; but not truth. Because Ronald feels as though he is useless and no good to the family because of his finance situation, the ACT process will allow him to embrace his painful experience rather than evading it. This will allow him to bond with whatever his truths are and obligate to actions that are lined up with his ideals. In other words, he will conquer his fears other than not accepting the truth or ignoring it. He must admit that he has a problem with using drugs and acknowledge the underlying issues. Ronald gets depressed feelings about not having stable employment as Elizabeth and not being able to provide as she does. He turns to drugs and commits unlawful acts to try and solve this issue. In the ACT approach we will begin to focus on his strengths, what he is good at doing (positive) and how he may capitalize on these strengths or new strengths. This process will enable Ronald to become more mentally buoyant as he begins to construct new standards of living and make better selections. It is important as a therapist to give empathy, recognition, understanding and respect to the client as well as being there with them as they go down that dwindling road.

Because Bathsheba is dealing with stress/fatigue and Sherrod has low self-esteem, I would apply the Cognitive Behavior Theory. This process breaks down their problems which are consuming them into minor fragments (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), 2015). We will then be able to perceive the association and how it causes distress. We will then determine if the thoughts or feelings are unhelpful or unrealistic. After determining this, we will start to make positive changes to these negative thoughts and/or feelings. I will have them keep a diary which will help us to identify negative practices. Once they apply these changes they may start to question negativity or replace negative thoughts with more positive ones. A client may also start to do something that will benefit them instead of doing something that will give a bad feeling (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), 2015).

In Human Services, our main goal is to help clients meet their needs and assist in their wellbeing. According to Simon (1994) it is crucial for social work practitioners to learn theoretical knowledge because theory can serve as an anchoring frame and a conceptual screen for case assessment, causal explanation, intervention planning, and outcome evaluation. When the theory is applied correctly, it dismantles the overwhelming issues and breaks to the core. It helps to determine what is causing the problem and how to deal with it. I believe that this process is beneficial in assisting clients with troubles they face.

References

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. (2015, November 6). Retrieved from www.dualdiagnosis.org: https://www.google.com

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). (2015, November 6). Retrieved from www.rcpsych.ac.uk: https://www.google.com

Psychoanalysis | Simply Psychology. (2015, November 6). Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org: https://www.google.com

What Is Psychoanalytic Therapy? (2015, November 6). Retrieved from psychology.about.com: https://www.google.com

www.simplypsychology.org. (2015, November 6). Retrieved from Psychoanalysis | Simply Psychology: https://www.google.com