W6-CBT Case Study Discussion

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) works for anxiety, depression, and many other psychological disorders. I would use the Cognitive Restructuring technique to help Alana recognize dysfunctional thought patterns and develop rational, grounded ways of understanding challenging situations. It is a different way of thinking. I would advise Alana to track down her thoughts in difficult situations, identify cognitive distortions, and engage in behavioral experiments to test out if her thoughts are true. I would use Graded Exposure Assignments to address Alanas fear. She said she felt irritability and fear. She probably fears facing her brother because her brother sounds like she does not want to accept other cultures and strictly follow her own Muslim culture and beliefs. Alana is more modernized and wants to enjoy the new American culture. Still, she feels guilty regarding not following her cultural beliefs because she may find them unnecessary, like using dresses that cover the whole body. I would use the activity scheduling technique to get Alana to engage in relaxation activities like meditating, going for a walk, or working on a project. It increases the likelihood of their getting done. This would help Alans depressive mood and avoidance in engaging with others. Working on the project would help to increase her concentration. She might feel the joy of finishing something as an achievement. The majority time, when we make a schedule, we follow easily almost feel like we have to do this, but if we do not schedule an activity, then we might do it or might not. Skill training technique would be helpful for Alana how to interact with her family instead of finding them irritating and avoiding them. It provides skills training include social skills training, communication training, and assertiveness training. It will be taught by direct instruction, modeling, role-plays, and problem-solving therapy (Cognitive Behavior Therapy Techniques).
How would you use cognitive behavioral therapy techniques in a culturally/gender-sensitive manner to address Alana’s feelings about being a woman as a minority in the finance industry?
Culture and gender are sensitive issues. The diversity among individuals living in the United States has increased and does create confusion between two cultures, especially kids and young adults. It is important to find out what the norms are in their culture. It is also important to find out what Alana wants to achieve to follow her culture and if she wants to stay engaged with her family because we cannot change the culture even though things are not right, like to dress or men are more important. I would keep in mind to stay culturally sensitive, respect her beliefs, acknowledge her generational influences, age, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation. Her brother has started taking house responsibility at an earlier age. He is older than Alana, so there is a gap between how they think and believe in keeping their culture intact. Brother appears using his power because he is older and working for a family as a man. Power is the ability to decide who has access to resources, and in this case, the brother has more power than Alana due to gender and age. Privilege is characterized by the advantages and benefits afforded to members of the dominant group in society, and in this case, the brother has more power automatically. It is a patriarchal society. It is not right, but it might be the norm in their culture, and as a clinician, I have to address it very gently. Cultural competency is essential to help a diverse population (NCBI., 2014).
How might the principles from CBT be applied to the case study?
Counseling is the ability to connect with clients and understand influences. The main principle is to develop a good client-therapist relationship regardless of culture. This would help a client to trust the clinical and able to share own feelings and thought. I would focus on working together and getting Alana to participate in recommended activities. I would help her reach a small goal and address her problem area with sensitivity. I would try to stay focus on the present and try Alana to stay focus on the present, too (10 Principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Cbt), n.d.)

The assessment findings point to depression as the primary diagnosis for this patient. As such, the treatment plan for this patient would focus mainly on treating the symptoms of depression through the use of psychotherapeutic interventions. Psychotherapy is essentially a non-pharmacological intervention that helps in the treatment of depression (Hawley et al., 2017). There are various forms of psychotherapy like CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) that could be effective for patients with depression such as Alana.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the most effective forms of psychotherapy that would help the client (Alana) in learning to recognize and identify the negative and destructive thought that result in negative emotions, feelings, and behaviors and reframing her thoughts in a positive manner that could help in improving her emotions, feelings, and behaviors (Wenzel, Dobson & Hays, 2016).
Among the cognitive-behavioral techniques that may be appropriate for this client as she explores her anger and frustration associated with stressors include; cognitive reframing, problem-solving, thought records and journaling, guided discovery, and stress reduction and relaxation techniques (Wenzel, Dobson & Hays, 2016). For instance, the use of cognitive reframing would help the client in identifying and recognizing the negative thought patterns and reframing her thoughts in a positive manner that would help in improving her emotions, behaviors, and emotions (Wenzel, Dobson & Hays, 2016). The use of this technique would help the client to learn and understand how the negative feelings and thoughts may lead to the development of maladaptive behaviors thereby resulting in self-discovery (Wenzel, Dobson & Hays, 2016). This would help the client in reframing her thoughts, which would enable her to be more productive and positive. The use of guided discovery would help in challenging the clients beliefs and assumptions and broadening her thinking, which would help in improving her behavior (Wenzel, Dobson & Hays, 2016). Additionally, the use of stress reduction and relaxation techniques like imagery, deep breathing exercises, and muscle relaxation would help the client in minimizing her stress levels and improving her sense of control that would ultimately help her in dealing with her stressors. The use of problem-solving techniques would help the client in learning and applying the problem-solving skills that would assist her in identifying, recognizing, and solving the problems associated with life stressors (Wenzel, Dobson & Hays, 2016).
However, it would be imperative to use and apply the CBT techniques in a gender/culturally sensitive manner when addressing the clients feelings. This would involve adapting the CBT techniques to match with the cultural/gender identity, preferences, and context of the client (Hinton & Patel, 2017). Among the main aspects that would be involved in this process include; accepting and accommodating the core cultural values and beliefs of the client, stressing the need for culturally/gender-related supports and strengths, and validating her experiences while considering the need for change (Hinton & Patel, 2017). More importantly, it would be necessary to recognize the patients culture and gender as potential sources of motivation and strength (Hinton & Patel, 2017). For instance, it would be necessary to customize the CBT techniques according to the cultural/gender identity, preferences, and context of the client (Hinton & Patel, 2017).
The principles from CBT may be applied to this case study in various ways that include; establish a good and therapeutic relationship with the client, stressing the need for the clients active participation in the therapeutic process, and teaching the client on how to become her therapist (Wenzel, Dobson & Hays, 2016). The CBT principles would also be used to appropriately structure the CBT sessions and applying the appropriate techniques and strategies to change and improve the clients mood, thinking, and behavior (Wenzel, Dobson & Hays, 2016).

Alana is a 24-year-old married female Muslim client who was referred for psychological intervention after being diagnosed with depression. She reported a history of abuse as a child through early adulthood. She denied history of family psychiatric issues and reports she is currently married and expecting her first child. She moved to America five years ago and is hopeful for a better future for herself and her children.

After reviewing the brief history from Alana, I would recommend cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) techniques such as disputing irrational beliefs, self-management strategies, and mindfulness to help Alana explore her frustration and anger issues related to past and current stressors. CBT techniques and interventions have been shown to reduce adult depression, however, there is lack of research to support which component or combination of components are most beneficial (Lopez et al., 2019).

One technique in CBT is through rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) and within this therapy includes the technique of disputing irrational beliefs. This technique asks clients to look for evidence to support irrational beliefs. This technique could be good for Alana as she can reflect on her past and challenge previous thoughts of being termed disobedient or not good enough for her family. Changing the irrational belief can improve her relationship with her husband, work relationships, and improvement in overall mental health (Turner, 2016).

Self-management strategies can also be helpful to Alana to create goals and teaching her coping skills in problematic situations (Corey, 2014). Self-management strategies further teach clients how to create an action plan for change and self-monitor and evaluate their actions. This technique can work in hand with disrupting irrational thoughts by changing a negative mindset and setting goals moving forward. It can also be utilized in her current work situation as a woman and minority in the finance industry. Because CBT can be adapted to any culture, this intervention can be adopted to Alana and her Muslim religion and culture.

The last technique I think Alana would benefit from is mindfulness. Mindfulness is effective for the reduction of depression, anxiety, rumination/worry, and stress/psychological distress (Querstret et al., 2020). Mindfulness has shown to improve the health and well-being of patients when used. Mindfulness helps patients when facing distressing situations to have interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation, and identify their own distress tolerance (Corey, 2014).

CBT can be applied to Alanas situation because interventions are tailored to an individual and their culture. It helps clients to be empowered by learning specific techniques that can be applied in daily life and places an emphasis on cultural influences to contribute to a clients uniqueness.