Person Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

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Carl Roger’s believed that everyone is inherently good. Therefore, even the vilest of people would be included. Some disputes have been made among behavior theorists that because the theory lacks structure, it is not as effective in treating illness. However, it is one of the main theories utilized by therapists today. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is another popular theory that is used. It emphasizes the present and fixing cognitive distortions that clients may have. However, it too received some arguments against it, such as; treating symptoms and not the underlying cause of an illness. The theories that will be discussed are Carl Roger’s theory of Person Centered Therapy, Aaron Beck’s Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and how they would treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In Person Centered therapy, the therapist establishes a solid therapeutic alliance with the client. “The therapeutic alliance is a more encompassing term for therapy that emphasizes the collaborative nature of the partnership between counselor and client. This partnership incorporates client preferences and goals into treatment and outlines methods for accomplishing those goals. The therapeutic alliance is an alliance based on listening to the client without being judgmental or giving unwarranted advice.” Individuals are working toward self actualization. They also look for ways to improve experiences. Individuals try hard to reach an optimal sense of satisfaction. This eventually leads them to become fully functioning. After the individual is fully functioning they are able to trust their own feelings and experience a better life (Rogers, 1961). Rogers found that very few become fully functioning. To cope with this they create defense mechanisms.... ... middle of paper ... ...Capsule. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). 14 Mar. 2008.http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/ptsd.htm. National Institute of Mental Health. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder : Signs and Symptoms. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 15 Mar. 2008. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/post-traumatic-stress-disorder.shtml. National Institute of Mental Health. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder : Treatment. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 15 Mar. 2008. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/post-traumatic-stress-disorder.shtml. Wikipedia. “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.” Wikimedia Foundation. 15Mar. 2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Post-traumatic_stress_disorder&redirect=no

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