Behavior Therapy Case Summary

Introduction
This paper will document the clinical work with a 32-year-old male client named Jason who is currently suffering with clinical depression, anxiety, physical health issues, and social isolation. Jason’s concerns are examined using the behavior theory and cognitive behavioral theory. Furthermore, three evidence based treatments are discussed and applied to Jason. Lastly, a qualitative and qualitative measure is presented to evaluated the chosen intervention.
Case summary
Jason is a 32-year-old heterosexual Caucasian male. He experiences physical health issues, suffers from hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. In the past year Jason has had several seizures and migraines. For the past 5 years Jason has remained single. Jason’s last significant relationship was four years in length. Currently, Jason lives independently, for 3 years he has been renting a large duplex in a deplorable part of the city. The landlord is a friend of Jason’s. The current living situations

has caused a tremendous amount of stress for Jason because there is a large hole in the roof. Additionally, there are other major household projects that are not been attended to. Heating the large home is very costly, at times Jason has go without heat during the winter months.
Jason is an educated man who has earned his Bachelor’s degree in psychology from a local state university. Five years ago, Jason was employed at a mental health residential recovery center (RRC); he worked the night shift. One night a resident flipped out, screaming and throwing things in the center. Jason feared for his life, he hid in the staff office, under the desk. This particular incidence led to an increase in anxiety, depression and social isolation. Currently, Jason is not employed however he receives a monthly Social Security Disability (SSD) benefit.
Since Jason’s adolescent years he has had a history of clinical depression and anxiety. Jason is an only child; he was raised by his mom and stepfather. Employment relocation caused the family to move several times during Jason’s secondary years of school. Jason and his mom were abused by the stepfather. Jason’s mom was physically abused for as long as he can remember. Jason was verbally and emotionally abused daily. Jason and his mom left the stepfather shortly after Jason graduated from high school. Since high school Jason’s relationship with his mom has been strained. Likewise, Jason has experienced limited contact with aunts, uncles and cousins. Much of Jason’s family resides in neighboring states. Jason has a limited natural support system. The supports he relies on are his psychiatrist, therapist, mental health case managers and several close friends. At this time Jason’s main focus of concern is his physical health, isolation, depression and anxiety.
Jason has many strengths which may aid to his success. Having an education and his ability to communicated with his supports is beneficial. His age and motivation to improve his current situation, are an asset, which provides encouragement to himself. The clinical depression is the chosen area of focus. Jason plans to decrease the depression, hoping that his physical health and social life will improve.
Literature review
To address and conceptualize Jason’s psychopathological mental distress and manifestations of behaviors, cognitive behavioral theory and the behavioral theory will serve as evidence-based theoretical frameworks as guidance as this paper addresses Jason’s clinical depression.
Cognitive Behavioral Theory explores the integration of cognition (thoughts) and behavior tactics. Walsh (2010), describes CBT as a combination of cognitive and behavioral approaches and observed changes. Cognitive Behavioral Theory looks to improve the decision making process as well as enhancing behavioral skills such as improving conversation, conflict resolution, and social skills. The CBT desires to improve the knowledge of relationships. Exploring why the relationship are important and understanding how they develop (pp. 168-169).
The Behavior Theory(BT) explores how human actions and emotions are developed, are continuous, and are eliminated through different ways of learning. There is less concern with the client’s mental process and more concerned with learned behavior (Walsh, 2010, p.123-126). The behavior perspective suggests that how humans behave is not indicative of their unconscious thoughts, or related to repressed thoughts. Rather, what we experience or practice, brings about a change in behavior. According to Nemade, Reiss, & Dombeck, the behavioral theory suggests that depression can be learned and unlearned (2007).
Remarkably, there are over 400 different types of psychotherapies that can assist in treating clinical depression. According to research, therapies that teach skills and interventions that are less focused on trying to uncover the reasons for depression are more effective. Research has proven that there are three preferred treatment methods used to handle clinical depression which are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT) and behavioral therapy(BT) (Which therapy is best, 2016).
According to Walsh 2010, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a tool to eliminate distorted thinking about one’s self or others and tends to be more effective with obsessive personality styles. CBT is recognized as helpful tool in treating depression, PTSD and obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD) and hoarding disorder. (p. 181-182). A review of a meta- analyses of the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy “found CBT to be equally effective in comparison to other psychological treatments” (Hofmann, Asnaani, Vonk, Sawyer, & Fang, 2012). According to the American Psychological Association Task Force on Psychological interventions, 90% involve cognitive behavioral treatments assisting clients suffering from depression, exhibiting bipolar disorder symptoms, eating disorders, and chronic pain and fatigue (Lyford, 2016).
Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is an intervention modality that explores the client’s interpersonal life and the emotions as they relate too other individuals. IPT is time limited, short-term therapy used on a one-on-one basis to treat depression. The three primary focuses of IPT are: 1. how the client uses defense mechanisms, 2. the influence of thought patterns that assist with the evaluation of the self and others and 3. using the client/therapist relationship as a guide for other relationships (Walsh, 2010 p.177) To effectively treat depression, IPT desires to improve communication skills and identifies how people interact with each other. Interpersonal therapy guides the client to change their behavior and at times is linked with antidepressant medications (National Institute of Mental Health, 2012).
The American Psychological Association found interpersonal therapy (IPT) to meet the highest standard of effectiveness in treating major depression. Walsh, 2010 discussed several studies as evidence that IPT was an effective treatment intervention. This particular study focused on 25 adolescents with depression. After 12 weeks of IPT there was a substantial improvement of more than half of the clients indicated by the pre- and post-scoring instrument (p.193)
Next, behaviorism is explained by conditioning. The best way to treat a psychological disorder is by conditioning. Behaviorism suggests that all behavior is learnt from our environment. Classical conditioning and operant conditioning are two examples of behaviorism. Highly used techniques associated with conditioning are flooding, desensitization, reinforcement, modeling and extinction (McLeod, 2010). Behaviorism describes and lays the foundations for psychotherapies such as behavior therapy.
Accordingly, Behavior Therapy (BT) seeks to help the client make a connection between their behaviors and how they are feeling.

BT is a structured approach guided by the therapist, action based and a highly focused form of therapy. Behavior therapy is measured with the goal to increase the client’s participation in positive activities or experiences. Self-monitoring, scheduling weekly activities, role playing and behavior modification are techniques used in behavior therapy (Herkov, 2016).
The effectiveness of behavior therapy is supported by quantitative research as well as BT can be solidly demonstrated. For example, Walsh, 2010 reports that a meta -analyses of individuals diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) reveals that behavioral therapy methods were as effective as mediations. Exposure and relaxation therapies were used to improved self-control. Utilizing these behavior therapies, the study showed improvements with obsession, compulsion and depression (p.

141-142).
After a thorough investigation of the aforementioned treatment modalities, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) will be the method used to address Jason’s clinical depression. CBT teaches the client to become more rational instead of allowing negative thoughts flow into the brain. The client develops confidence, and has developed a more calm and relaxed disposition. Retraining the client’s thoughts and changing their behaviors by the use of role-playing, modeling and secure client/therapist relationship which will assist in Jason decreasing his depression.