Presenting
Recurrent Problems
|
|
Low Session Structure |
|
Infrequent Agendas,
Summaries |
|
Sessions Do Not End on
Time |
Key
Underlying Assumptions
|
|
If my client is talking, I
shouldn’t interrupt. |
|
If I am structured,
I’ll miss important client revelations or appear unfeeling. |
|
If a client is feeling
emotional, I can’t let them leave my office until they feel better. |
Core
Beliefs
|
|
I am caring. |
|
Others are needy and
vulnerable. |
|
Therapy is supportive. |
Behavioral
Strategies (linked to recurrent problem)
|
|
Let client talk with
minimal interruptions |
|
Express lots of empathy
and explanations before making an intervention |
|
Frequent extended sessions
to "demonstrate caring" |
Benefits
of Behavioral Strategy
|
|
Clients appreciate me and
express gratitude. |
|
I feel good for having a
kind attitude. |
Costs
of Behavioral Strategy
|
|
CT Protocols take a long
time and often aren’t completed in therapy time available. |
|
Sessions often run late
and I works longer hours than I want to. |
Goals
|
|
Become more structured in
therapy hour |
|
End sessions on time |
Goal
Interfering Automatic Thoughts / Underlying Assumptions
|
|
If I stop her now to set
an agenda, she’ll think I don’t care about these problems she’s describing. |
|
If I end the session when
he’s still upset, he might get worse this week. |
New
Underlying Assumptions
|
|
If I really care about my
clients I’ll be more structured so therapy will be more effective. |
|
If we end a session when
my client is still emotional, he or she can use therapy skills to manage these emotions
and that will lead to greater learning in therapy. |
