The Mormon Religion

The Mormon population holds true to their unique religious beliefs. Most Mormons are similar to those who practice Christianity, however there are some differences. Over the past two centuries that Mormonism has been founded by Joseph Smith, this faith has expanded across the United States. Even though the faith has been powerful to many believers it is becoming less frequently practiced. This religion not only practices God and Jesus as separate people but also believes that God is seen in everyone. Since, Mormons are very religious and godlike we have to be competent to these differences when working with this population. There is very little information about how to perform Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with a child that is practicing

Mormonism and is getting bullied at school. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an intervention that can help a client identify the connections of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and then develop coping skills to maintain their lifestyle. Although there is very little research on Mormons and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, there is research on this intervention and clients being treated for depression and anxiety.
In a book about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for children with anxiety by Philip C. Kendall (2012), he states that the important purpose of cognitive behavioral therapy is to provide an organized set of treatment activities that challenges the child’s existing ways of thinking, feeling, and acting. Since, Mormons are set in their ways of thinking under the impression of being an image of God and treating others with respect and dignity, this intervention will allow a bullied child to connect Mormonism to how they feel and act upon being put down. Mormons are very big in helping others and putting their lives on the edge which may be an important taboo issue to discuss. When a client is challenged to think and describe their feelings, it will bring out information that has been hidden over a period of time which may be difficult for a Mormon to do under their morals. He also mentions that all humans are going to encounter problems but what matters is if you address that problem in order to seek advice and in order to adjust to changes. While tuning in to a client of a Mormon background and is also having trouble with being bullied, the worker will have to maintain a demand for work so that the client will trust the worker in order to talk about concerns and issues going on in the client’s life. The author also states that cognitive behavioral therapy normally follows a manual which allows a better understanding of the target the client would like to reach and the nature of the experience he/she is dealing with. One of the biggest concerns a social worker should have while working with a Mormon client is dealing with the resistance of seeking help. Mormons are so trusting in God that whenever something difficult or painful arises they reach out to God and not medical attention. The social worker should address the issue of resisting the demand for work as well as allowing the client to have self determination to decide whether to engage in a helping relationship or not. Allowing the client to understand that their religion matters and is significance to the relationship may allow more of an open communication. This is something that should be discussed in the beginning of the relationship so all boundaries and issues are addressed and understood.
Koenig (1998) points out important information about the relationships religion and mental health have.

Koenig states that the impact religions have on mental pathologies such as depression and anxiety are making the person more suppress, moderate, deter and prevent the effects from stress which leads to depression (Koenig, 1998). Mormons may get caught up in practicing what they think is right about God and will step away from all other options. However, Koenig states that Mormons are wealthy and would sometimes rather counselors over their own religion. There is a lot of controversies over whether or not Mormons seek help in God or in other ways such as counseling or health professionals. The Mormons that do want professional help also are sometimes discouraged from fellow neighbors because of the inability past social workers had in knowing different cultures and religions beliefs, morals, and behaviors. The author also mentions that Mormons are built upon truth and when a mental or emotional illness occurs it is sometimes known as a manifestation of sin. Mormons who are diagnosed with a mental illness usually have had a difficult time self-reflecting until they are brought upon an illness that stops them living the way they used

to.
Koenig (1998) also states that Mormons have different reasons for resisting a helping relationship. Mormons usually work hard to change but yet resist the efforts of pain (Koenig, 1998). Religions such as Mormonism have a set way of living which includes being busy, displaying their own spiritual beliefs, ignoring authority, and exploring negative feelings. The author mentions that resistance happens throughout Mormons lives and not just to negative feelings. Although religion may not take full hold of their lives it may affect a helping relationship when not discussed in a therapy session. Information about confidentiality and no judgement should be discussed and analyzed when beginning to contract with the client. The worker should allow the client to know the positives instead of just discussing negatives which may help the client to become accepting of the authority theme.
A book that describes cognitive behavioral therapy by Aaron T Beck (1979) describes the important processes and development of this treatment being used for depression.

The main definition that this author describes cognitive behavioral therapy as is an active, directive, time-limited, structured approach to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders (Beck, 1979). Understanding that this treatment can assist many different disorders allows a worker to not only use it for the client that is being bullied and has been effected by anxiety but also resulting into depression. Beck mentions a few cognitive techniques used to test misconceptions that a client may be thinking. Cognitive techniques such as monitoring automatic negative thoughts, recognizing the connections between thoughts, the affects, and behaviors, and learning to examine and explore these thoughts at different dimensions (Beck, 1979). The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to simply relieve emotional distress and other symptoms of mental illness (Beck, 1979). When working with a Mormon the worker will have to identify the differences between thoughts and feelings so the client can identify their own by personal reflection instead of what the worker may think is

right.
When implementing cognitive behavioral therapy with a Mormon child that is being bullied it will be important to understand that you will not only be working with the child but also with the system in which the child lives, the school, and the family; if it is agreed upon by the child. During the preliminary and beginning phase the worker will need to be aware of competence in both the religion and culture of the client. Allowing the worker to tune in to the knowledge, and experience that she or he may have in working with a unique population. When starting the session and the beginning of each session making sure you are clear with words and boundaries of the relationship, the demand for work, confidentiality, and being open to feedback from the client. When working in particular with a Mormon client the worker should be careful to include religion and anything else the client indirectly cues. The worker should let the client talk and if there is silence to allow it. Mormons are known for resisting so giving them space and acceptance will allow them to develop rapport and trust in the worker. When developing a contract with the client and setting goals in which the client would like to achieve, the worker should be clear about background information. During the middle phase of the helping relationship, asking open ended questions to clarify the client’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors will help the worker to address specific techniques that address cognitive behavioral therapy. If the child agrees to have different systems involved in the session the worker should allow them to ask questions and discuss concerns as well. This will help to distinguish if the client is being ambivalent and resisting help. The client may be having trouble addressing why they are getting bullied in school and are having difficulty addressing these thoughts and feelings to the worker but may talk about them at home with family. The worker should let the family address the beliefs of a Mormon, so the worker can implement them into the intervention so the child can relate to the religion and strengths it brings.
Although there is not enough of information on helping a bullied child who is practicing to be Mormon, there is research on cognitive behavioral therapy. When working with this religion and faith it is important to be culturally competent and aware of differences. This provides reassurance that cognitive behavioral therapy will be effective for the client.