Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

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way, then you are going to feel sad and depressed. Nobody want to have that feeling of depression. So why not think positively so that it can outcome in healthy mental functioning? Well it is not as easy as said, and it does take time and practice. But I believe that after time it will becoming unconscious thinking to think in a positive way.

The next area I will discuss is personality change. How does personality change after it is somewhat developed? As I said before from personal experience, I believe we have the ability to change and alter our personalities. But I believe it takes certain conditions to change a personality. For example, if you are in an environment of drugs and crime, it might cause your personality to be instable, devious, and risky. But if you take yourself out of that environment is that really still your personality? Say you take that same person in the drug and crime environment and put them in an environment of education, work, and family, it might cause your personality to be hardworking, knowledgeable, and loving. (Genetic and Environmental influences 2)

“Spend time with the wise and you will become wise, but the friends of fools will suffer.” (Proverbs 13:20)

I believe that the environment one surrounds themselves with is a necessary condition to change a personality.

Now that we have looked at the main ideas in therapy, how will I take those and counsel a client with CBT while integrating my personal faith into that? Let’s say I have a client that comes in depressed looking to become happy and not depressed. I will ask that client what it is that makes the feelings of depression strong. I will ask the client to describe situations to me and their feelings during that time. I will then ask them to pause, and to think if there are any errors to their thinking. I would have them think of a time or event where they had the best day or just a really good time. I would ask them to tell me of that story in every detail, and at the end of the story I would ask them how they felt. Most likely they will then say they do not feel sad nor depressed, but happy and contempt. I will then challenge them to start to change the errors and irrational thinking they have. I will challenge them to surround themselves in a positive environment with positive people, who make them feel happy an uplifted. I would show them in the bible verses of where God says our clean and clear thoughts, will bring us happiness. For example,

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8 NLT)

My choice of therapy is Cognitive Behavior Therapy. I believe we have the ability to change our thoughts, heart, and personalities depending on our environment and thinking. I believe that God plays a significant role in these changes, and that it can be done without him, but in my counseling I would like to make it clear that with God it is the best way to change. I hope to counsel each person to mental health, and rational thoughts, while integrating my views of Jesus and His powerful ability to help change us.