Common Misunderstanding In Cognitive Behavior Theory

A cognitive-behavioral therapist utilizes clients’ feelings and thoughts to foster awareness and discussion to finally change detrimental behavior (Rosal, 2016). A common misunderstanding in cognitive-behavior theory (CBT) is that the therapist has the skills and training needed to assess what is best for the client, and therefore the therapeutic relationship is less important (Pickett, 2012). This perception is considered especially true if the client has been diagnosed with a severe mental illness, such as a psychotic disorder (Turkington & Kingdon, 2000) because of the stigma behind mental illness. However, who is responsible for determining what is detrimental to the client’s mental, emotional, and physical health? I will argue only the

Empathy, respect, unconditional positive regard, and honesty are described as fundamental techniques to CBT. The article specifies that CBT focuses on subjective connections within a client’s feelings, beliefs, and actions, regardless of their basis in reality (Kingdon, Turkington, & Weiden, 2009). “By focusing on why the beliefs are important to the individual and empowering him by teaching him what he can do if beliefs are causing distress… the therapist can improve collaboration and begin constructive behavioral change.” (Kingdon & Price, 2009, p. 53). A book titled, The Therapeutic Relationship in the Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapies also explains the therapeutic relationship as vital to all theories and further denotes its connection to CBT as a means to client empowerment. This book exemplifies how an empowering therapeutic relationship is a two-way street and critical to providing effective therapy (Gilbert, P. & Leahy, R. L.,

Pickett defines empowerment as the following: “For clinicians, empowerment means that you work in partnership with your clients, jointly discussing and developing treatment plans, and acknowledging that your clients—not you—have ultimate authority and control over their own care” (2012). Utilizing this definition, Pickett further describes the stigma surrounding mental illness, saying it prevents some clients from actively contributing to their treatment because they hesitate to acknowledge they have a mental illness. Additionally, due to the misconception that therapists must be benevolent, omniscient, and omnipotent, clients often feel like the therapist knows what is best for them (Brightman, 1985). The therapist also perpetuates the stigma when they no longer see the client as an individual, but rather a diagnosis (Pickett, 2012). Pickett articulates the effect of stigma extends all the way to the system itself by controlling the clients care instead of collaborating with them (2012). When clinicians lack a focus of empowering clients they can easily fall prey to stigma and clinical narcissism (Brightman, 1985) and lose sight of the therapeutic relationship as mutual